Harry Potter: Complete 8-Film Collection

Description

Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection (BD).
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Here’s an event movie that
holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling,
stunningly brings to life Harry Potter’s world of Hogwarts, the school for
young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its
faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the
details of Rowling’s imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate
costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast,
including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially
fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron
(Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the
looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure–involving the
titular sorcerer’s stone–doesn’t translate perfectly from page to screen,
ultimately because of the film’s fidelity to the novel; this is a case of
making a movie for the book’s fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer
Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this
a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one
can’t wait for Harry’s return. Ages 8 and up. –Doug Thomas Harry Potter and
the Chamber of Secrets First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie
franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying
colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and grand adventure
of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry’s second year at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves a darker, more malevolent tale
(parents with younger children beware), beginning with the petrified bodies of
several Hogwarts students and magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe),
Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the
monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes, giant
spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation (by Sorcerer’s
Stone director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth
Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious
charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to view past the credits for a visual
punchline at Lockhart’s expense). At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack
of depth and uneven pacing, and John Williams’ score mostly reprises
established themes. The young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation,
however, as does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as
Professor Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-
budget splendor, Chamber honors the legacy of J.K. Rowling’s novels. –Jeff
Shannon Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Some movie-loving wizards
must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,
because it’s another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating
remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá También,
director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and
Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius
Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet
unknown (unless, of course, you’ve read J.K. Rowling’s book, considered by
many to be the best in the series), he’s after Harry in a bid for revenge.
This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-
growing Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover the
flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but
enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors,
sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having
a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in
fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard
Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney),
and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but
welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling’s
boundless imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves), The
Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. –Jeff Shannon Harry Potter and
the Goblet of Fire The latest entry in the Harry Potter saga could be retitled
Fast Times at Hogwarts, where finding a date to the winter ball is nearly as
terrifying as worrying about Lord Voldemort’s return. Thus, the young wizards’
entry into puberty (and discovery of the opposite sex) opens up a rich mining
field to balance out the dark content in the fourth movie (and the stories are
only going to get darker). Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) handily
takes the directing reins and eases his young cast through awkward growth
spurts into true young actors. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, more sure of himself)
has his first girl crush on fellow student Cho Chang (Katie Leung), and has
his first big fight with best bud Ron (Rupert Grint). Meanwhile, Ron’s
underlying romantic tension with Hermione (Emma Watson) comes to a head over
the winter ball, and when she makes one of those girl-into-woman Cinderella
entrances, the boys’ reactions indicate they’ve all crossed a threshold. But
don’t worry, there’s plenty of wizardry and action in Goblet of Fire. When the
deadly Triwizard Tournament is hosted by Hogwarts, Harry finds his name
mysteriously submitted (and chosen) to compete against wizards from two
neighboring academies, as well as another Hogwarts student. The competition
scenes are magnificently shot, with much-improved CGI effects (particularly
the underwater challenge). And the climactic confrontation with Lord Voldemort
(Ralph Fiennes, in a brilliant bit of casting) is the most thrilling yet.
Goblet, the first installment to get a PG-13 rating, contains some violence as
well as disturbing images for kids and some barely shrouded references at
sexual awakening (Harry’s bath scene in particular). The 2 1/2-hour film, lean
considering it came from a 734-page book, trims out subplots about house-elves
(they’re not missed) and gives little screen time to the standard crew of the
other Potter films, but adds in more of Britain’s finest actors to the cast,
such as Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody and Miranda Richardson as Rita
Skeeter. Michael Gambon, in his second round as Professor Dumbledore, still
hasn’t brought audiences around to his interpretation of the role he took over
after Richard Harris died, but it’s a small smudge in an otherwise spotless
adaptation. –Ellen A. KimHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Alas! The
fifth Harry Potter film has arrived. The time is long past that this can be
considered a simple “children’s” series–though children and adults alike will
enjoy it immensely. Starting off from the dark and tragic ending of the fourth
film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix begins in a somber and angst-
filled tone that carries through the entire 138 minutes (the shortest of any
HP movie despite being adapted from the longest book). Hopes of winning the
Quidditch Cup have been replaced by woes like government corruption, distorted
media spin, and the casualties of war. As the themes have matured, so have the
primary characters’ acting abilities. Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma
Watson), and especially Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) are more convincing than ever
–in roles that are more demanding. Harry is deeply traumatized from having
witnessed Cedric Diggory’s murder, but he will soon find that this was just
another chapter in the continuing loss he will endure. Lord Voldemort (Ralph
Fiennes) has returned and, in an attempt to conceal this catastrophe from the
wizarding public, the Ministry of Magic has teamed up with the wizard
newspaper The Daily Prophet to smear young Potter and wise Dumbledore (Michael
Gambon)–seemingly the only two people in the public eye who believe the Dark
Lord has returned. With no one else to stand against the wicked Death Eaters,
the Hogwarts headmaster is forced to revive his secret anti-Voldemort society,
the Order of the Phoenix. This welcomes back characters like Mad-Eye Moody
(Brendan Gleeson), kind Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), fatherly Sirius Black
(Gary Oldman), and insidious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), and introduces a
short list of intriguing new faces. In the meantime, a semi-psychotic
bureaucrat from the Ministry (brilliantly portrayed by Imelda Staunton) has
seized power at Hogwarts, and Harry is forced to form a secret society of his
own–lest the other young wizards at his school be left ill-equipped to defend
themselves in the looming war between good and evil. In addition, Harry is
filled with an inexplicable rage that only his Godfather Sirius seems to be
able to understand.This film, though not as frightening as its predecessor,
earns its PG-13 rating mostly because of the ever-darkening tone. As always,
the loyal fans of J.K. Rowling’s books will suffer huge cuts from the original
plot and character developments, but make no mistake: this is a good movie.
–Jordan ThompsonHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The sixth installment
of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left
off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that “He Who Must Not Be Named”
has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is “the Chosen
One”–the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces
loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected
walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of
magic from the first few books—it’s dark, dangerous, and scary. Harry (Daniel
Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit
on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore
(Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from
Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private
lessons to get him prepared. It’s in these intriguing scenes that the dark
past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as
the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane)
do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the
previous movies’ many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one
new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a
spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret
in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to
uncover a memory about Voldemort’s darkest weapon–the Horcrux. Despite the
long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma
Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the
budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving
their most convincing performances to date.More dramatic and significant
things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are
higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible
challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want
the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the
point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the
point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter
and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For
those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For
those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including
the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well.
It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to
follow. –Jordan ThompsonHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I is a brooding, slower-paced film than
its predecessors, the result of being just one half of the final story (the
last book in the series was split into two movies, released in theaters eight
months apart). Because the penultimate film is all buildup before the final
showdown between the teen wizard and the evil Voldemort (which does not occur
until The Deathly Hallows, Part II), Part I is a road-trip movie, a heist
film, a lot of exposition, and more weight on its three young leads, who up
until now were sufficiently supported by a revolving door of British Thespis
throughout the series. Now that all the action takes place outside Hogwarts–
no more Potions classes, Gryffindor scarves, or Quidditch matches–Daniel
Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione), and Rupert Grint (Ron) shoulder the
film almost entirely on their own. After a near-fatal ambush by Voldemort’s
Death Eaters, the three embark on a quest to find and destroy the remaining
five horcruxes (objects that store pieces of Voldemort’s soul). Fortunately,
as the story gets more grave–and parents should be warned, there are some
scenes too frightening or adult for young children–so does the intensity.
David Yates, who directed the Harry Potter films Order of the Phoenix and The
Half-Blood Prince, drags the second half a little, but right along with some
of the slower moments are some touching surprises (Harry leading Hermione in a
dance, the return of Dobby in a totally non-annoying way). Deathly Hallows,
Part I will be the most confusing for those not familiar with the Potter lore,
particularly in the shorthand way characters and terminology weave in and out.
For the rest of us, though, watching these characters over the last decade and
saying farewell to a few faces makes it all bittersweet that the end is near
(indeed, an early scene in which Hermione casts a spell that makes her Muggle
parents forget her existence, in case she doesn’t return, is particularly
emotional). Despite its challenges, Deathly Hallows, Part I succeeds in what
it’s most meant to do: whet your appetite for the grand conclusion to the
Harry Potter series. –Ellen A. Kim Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part
II The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the film all Harry Potter fans have waited
10 years to see, and the good news is that it’s worth the hype–visually
stunning, action packed, faithful to the book, and mature not just in its
themes and emotion but in the acting by its cast, some of whom had spent half
their lives making Harry Potter movies. Part 2 cuts right to the chase:
Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has stolen the Elder Wand, one of the three objects
required to give someone power over death (a.k.a. the Deathly Hallows), with
the intent to hunt and kill Harry. Meanwhile, Harry’s quest to destroy the
rest of the Horcruxes (each containing a bit of Voldemort’s soul) leads him
first to a thrilling (and hilarious–love that Polyjuice Potion!) trip to
Gringotts Bank, then back to Hogwarts, where a spectacular battle pitting the
young students and professors (a showcase of the British thesps who have
stolen every scene of the series: Maggie Smith’s McGonagall, Jim Broadbent’s
Slughorn, David Thewlis’s Lupin) against a dark army of Dementors, ogres, and
Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter, with far less crazy eyes to make
this round). As predicted all throughout the saga, Harry also has his final
showdown with Voldemort–neither can live while the other survives–though the
physics of that predicament might need a set of crib notes to explain. But
while each installment has become progressively grimmer, this finale is the
most balanced between light and dark (the dark is quite dark–several familiar
characters die, with one significant death particularly grisly); the humor is
sprinkled in at the most welcome times, thanks to the deft adaptation by Steve
Kloves (who scribed all but one of the films from J.K. Rowling’s books) and
direction by four-time Potter director David Yates. The climactic kiss between
Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), capping off a decade of
romantic tension, is perfectly tuned to their idiosyncratic relationship, and
Daniel Radcliffe has, over the last decade, certainly proven he was the right
kid for the job all along. As Prof. Snape, the most perfect of casting choices
in the best-cast franchise of all time, Alan Rickman breaks your heart. Only
the epilogue (and the lack of chemistry between Harry and love Ginny Weasley,
barely present here) stand a little shaky, but no matter: the most lucrative
franchise in movie history to date has just reached its conclusion, and it’s
done so without losing its soul. –Ellen A. Kim

Features:

Product Details:

• Genre: Action & Adventure
• Format: NTSC
• Contributor: Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson
• Initial release date: 2018-08-27
• Language: English
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 9.12 Ounces
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ WHV1000189967BR
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 19 hours and 24 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ August 27, 2018
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English, French, Spanish
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Warner Bros.