mwbmis

But it's like six hours long (or at least it feels that way to me). There was a good movie to be made from Chamber of Secrets, but they sure didn't make it. If I was only mildly interested, I would read the summary of the first two movies and then start watching with the third movie.

TomOpus

Then why even care about the movie? Just sit for 3 hours and try not to fall asleep. During that time you need to figure out what's going to happen AFTER the movie.

Draven

The first book was released in 1998. The last book was released in 2007. People who read the first book at age 9 read the last at age 18. The movies span 10 years too.

That's why the first book/movie seems like it's for kids (because it was) and the last book/movie is for adults (because it was). The audience grew up with the series.

Watching/reading them all at once or out of order and then complaining about the changing tone is really dumb.

auto

Never really interested in the books or movies. On a whim, my wife and I watched all seven movies over the last two weeks and saw the eighth earlier today.

Really enjoyed the experience. First two are forgettable but 3,5,7 & 8 were very enjoyable. Really liked the last two. Go in with an open mind, don't worry too much about what is going on and you'll probably have a good time.

Schloob1

Alright, this thread is worthless without a pic of said lady to know if it is really worth all the trouble to go and watch a movie which you obviously cannot understand based on what you have said about it so far

Schloob1

+1

big whoppa

I never got into Harry Potter (never read any of the books) either so I can sympathize.

Jay G.

The third movie is where the films series got good, and is still my favorite. It was the film that made me want to read the books, after dismissing the first two films.

Chris Columbus got together a great cast for the series, but those first two films that he directed are just kinda meh. There's a reason why the grosses for the films were dropping until the 3rd, then started increasing again.

mhg83

Just imagine what the series could've been if Spielberg had snatched up the series and Americanized it

milo bloom

"Go with chickens, my brother" ?

Osiris3657

Daniel O'Brien's intro to his latest Cracked article sums up my feelings perfectly about HP:

"If you're anything like me, you've never read a Harry Potter book or seen a Harry Potter movie. Statistically speaking, you are nothing like me, as the latest installment of the Potter franchise is already poised to smash all relevant box office records, everywhere. (I should make it clear that when I say, "relevant box office records," I mean, "only box office records that pertain to The Dark Knight.") Despite my lack of interest in and familiarity with the franchise, I'm not against the idea of it and I don't hate the people who love it or the cultural impact it's made (even though being a non-fan when a new movie comes out sort of feels like being the only Jewish kid during Christmas time). This franchise just missed me completely.

I'm certainly not one of those anti-populist folks who strategically avoids everything that gets embraced by the mainstream, I didn't avoid it simply because it's wildly popular; I like The Beatles, Star Wars and all of Lost with the exception of the two that everyone else hates (Jack's Fucking Tattoo, Nikki and Fucking Paolo). I just had no interest in the series when the first book came out because by then, I was already too old and too much of a shithead to submit myself to a world of magic and wizards and broomsticks and muggles."

joe_b

So freaky - the exact second I scrolled down to this picture, the guy's face suddenly popped up on my TV screen. Must be a divine sign that I should switch to Geico.

Rizor

Jeffrey Wells liked Part 2, despite hating the series and not giving a shit. So maybe there's hope.

Timber

For me at least, and I think I'm in the minority, the first 4 and 7/8th films are aimed directly at a children's audience. The last part of Goblet is where it turned into adult themes and to me really picked up. Not saying I didn't like the first 4, I certainly did, but I liked it more when the tone changed.

Jay G.

The Goblet of Fire is the 4th film, so technically you mean the first 3 7/8 films.

The books certainly mature as the characters themselves mature, and the movies follow suit.

Timber

That damned math. You are correct.

Ash Ketchum

Why are you wasting your time on Harry Potter? Why aren't you seeing a great movie like TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON in 3-D IMAX instead?!

Or stay home and watch the CRANK movies.

Either way you're better off.

whoopdido

Whoa...took me a while to figure this out. I thought you meant that the first 4 AND the 7th and 8th films were geared towards children, so only Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince were more adult. I was going to make fun of you for being an idiot.

I would probably agree with your assessment. The first 2, without a doubt, are kiddie movies. They got progressively more adult starting with number 3, but yeah really not until the graveyard scene at the end of Goblet of Fire did things really start to turn.

Save Ferris

OK... drumrollll
I saw it Friday night and it wasn't that bad!

I expected the worst, I really did.
Sure there were TONS of plot strangeness, cliches and holes (typical Dr Evil villain leaving Hans Gruber to die alone: "What?? I'll assume it all went to plan). Even for someone who doesn't know the story, there was plenty anyone would roll eyes at.

BUT without listening to any nitpicks it was a good mindless popcorn flick.

And I got a girl in a british school uniform in the end!

madcougar

Not even close. Haven't read any of the books, haven't seen any of the movies, and I never plan to. Have many friends in the same boat with me.

WTF?! You feel bad for not liking a movie?! Since when do you HAVE to like something because everyone else does?! Dude I hope no one ever offers you crack, cuz you're gonna get hooked.

Save Ferris

I meant, I'm actually going to the last movie and I feel this way. Most who are uninterested won't see it until the DVD release.

I feel like a debbie downer. If this is an awesome series and it can be enjoyed Id like to figure out how. I've discovered some good music by trying.

Ash Ketchum

You mean, going to see Harry Potter got you laid?! Then it was more than worth it!

devilshalo

You're supposed to get her OUT of the uniform.

Save Ferris

Hopefully seeing a movie is never a deciding factor....etc etc.../wand joke.

Nick Martin

I know absolutely nothing about Harry Potter at all.

I never read the books, and it wasn't because of some sense of going against the grain, but a lack of interest in the subject. Sorcery and wizardry and all of that was just never my thing. Neither are Pirates (therefore I've not seen a Pirates of the Caribbean movie either). Nothing against it, not a hate or even a dislike, just no interest either way. Simple case of to each their own.

That being said I ended up seeing two of these films theatrically: Order of the Phoenix (and I only know the title because I remember it was 2007, and that was the only one that came out that year) and Deathly Hallows part 1.

I didn't understand ANYTHING about what was going on, but at the same time I did enjoy them for being well made and interesting movies. Had a few funny moments, and quite a few badass moments. I didn't know these characters existed in a contemporary world like ours so that was interesting and more relateable to see them running around streets and in restaurants. That kind of thing can transcend understanding something established, so I enjoyed them not as "Harry Potter" movies, but as just good movies.

So I decided to cave in and I'll be watching the series from the start, just have to get a hold of them first.