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I loved it the movie came in great condition and I enjoyed it very much
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I find it interesting that both the books and the movies in the Harry Potter saga got much better as they went along. The book did not have to go as far as the movies to become excellent, but both of them got good with HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN. The difference in quality between the first two Harry Potter movies and the third is vast. Most of it was due to Alfonso Cuarón's amazing direction in the third film, after Chris Columbus's rather timid direction in the first two films. Alfonso Cuarón raised the standard in the film series to an entirely new level, and subsequent directors (Cuarón turned down offers to continue directing films in the series, instead opting to make the absolutely extraordinary CHILDREN OF MEN instead, easily one of the best films of the past decade) took THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN as the model to follow, instead of the lackluster first two films.
The first film especially is hurt by the inexperienced lead actors. Daniel Radcliffe especially would improve as an actor in later films, but in this one he is often painful to watch, especially in the many shots in which Harry grins hugely, with the director holding the shot way beyond anyone's reasonable comfort level. Those in charge of casting might have wondered after the first film if they had done a wise job, but with each movie the three leads got better and better in their roles, to the point now where they are actually very good actors. Whatever gamble there was in casting the three definitely paid off. The general opinion at the time of the first film was that some or all the three young actors would need to be replaced by the time the final films were going to be made. Thankfully, they were able to complete all the films while the actors were young enough. Still, as good as they have become in later films, they were all, especially Daniel Radcliffe, difficulty to watch in this first film.
But the real weakness in the film remains the incredibly bland direction. The first two films seem to have been made with 10-year-olds in mind. There is no darkness and they proceed from one gee-whiz moment to another.
Still, the film is not without its merits. While the three young leads had not yet grown into their roles, the casting for most of the other roles was exceptional. Richard Harris before his death made a very fine Dumbledore. And how perfect is Robby Coltrane as Hagrid? The casting of the great Alan Rickman was prescient, since at the time of the first film it hadn't yet been made clear how important Snape would be to later installments. But as great as all of these people would be (and through THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE the supporting characters have been persistently brilliant), for me the single most delightful supporting actor is Richard Griffiths as Harry's utterly absurd and completely delightful Uncle Dursley.
But still, too much of the film is nothing but set pieces and special effects and the like. There isn't much substance. Most kids that I've talked to seem to enjoy THE SORCERER'S STONE; almost all adults that I have talked to find it pretty dull.
The best thing, however, is that the movies get much, much better as they go along. THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN is easily the best of the bunch, but all of the films released after it were much stronger than the first two. My big hope now is that the final two films (which will recount the final novel) will be as good.
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Loaded with extras, including new documentaries and an extended cut of the film, these Ultimate Editions have everything a fan could want (aside from a commentary although the In-Movie Experience should be close.) Films 1 and 2 will be getting this special treatment with the remaining six films to follow (book 7 is going to be two films.) A must for any fan of the Harry Potter series!
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This gift set includes the following.....
*Each Ultimate Edition Includes
New 1 hr feature from Creating the World of Harry Potter (an 8- hr documentary that reveals the filmmaking magic behind all 7 years) *Theatrical and Extended Versions of the Films *Over Two Hours of Special Features and *Magical Collectibles.
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Warner Home Video has announced Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Blu-ray, set for release on December 8, will be joined by new "ultimate editions" of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The six remaining Potter films, taking into account two films for The Deathly Hallows, will also receive ultimate edition treatments.
Tbe new versions of Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets will see an upgrade to 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio as well as 7 and thirteen minutes added to a new director's cut, respectively. The theatrical cut will be housed on disc one, the new cut on disc two, and discs three and four will be dedicated to supplemental materials. Packed in with each set will be a 48-page character book and 2 cards from a new series of character cards.
Bonus features for these new ultimate editions are anchored with a new multi-part documentary split between each set. Warner's original listing of features was a bit jumbled so I tried to break them out as logical as possible below.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Theatrical and extended version with 7 extra minutes on discs 1 and 2
Tour the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry's Room and the Great Hall - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hogwarts, home of witches and wizards in training, and take in the sights
Classrooms: Defense Against the Dark Arts; Spells and Charms; Potions; Transfiguration
Deleted Scenes
Library: Gallery of Art & Architecture
Hogwarts Yearbook
Guide to Ghosts - Discover the many marvelous and mysterious ghosts of Hogwarts
Quaffle and Bludger - Get a lesson from Oliver Wood on how to play Quidditch
Tour Hagrid's Hut - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Hagrid's Hut, home of Rubeus Hagrid, the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts, and his faithful companion, Fang.
Interview - Capturing the Stone: A Conversation with the Filmmakers - Director Chris Columbus, Producer David Heyman, Screenwriter Steve Kloves and Production Designer Stuart Craig talk about casting and bringing the novel to life.
NEW: Introduction by Daniel Radcliffe - An introduction to the many special features for the Harry Potter films
NEW: Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 1: The Magic Begins - Discover the story of how one vision for the Harry Potter films came together out of limitless possibilities to create the visual world we have come to know and love.
A Glimpse Into the World of Harry Potter 2001 International TV Special
Deleted Scenes
Trailers and TV Spots
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Theatrical and extended version with 13 minutes not shown in theaters.
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 2: Characters
A Whole New Realm of Discovery... Discover the intriguing inside stories of why so many of Britain's most celebrated stars took roles in the series
See the newly unveiled screen test between Daniel Radcliffe and Evanna Lynch (selected to play Luna out of 15,000 hopefuls!)
Go on the set to see firsthand how each of the directors brought unique strengths to the series
Witness the amazing transformations as Daniel, Rupert and Emma grow with their characters over a decade of unprecedented filmmaking.
Never-Before-Seen Screen Tests of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Revealed - 2002 HBO First Look special
Trailers and TV Spots
Deleted Scenes
Lockhart's Classroom
Photo Gallery: Certificates - Have a look at Gilderoy Lockhart's many achievements
Required Reading - Find out what text books you'll need for Lockhart's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
Behind Hogwarts
A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Steve Kloves - The author and screenwriter detail how the books are brought to life, and the changes that happen in the process
Build a Scene - Building a scene as magnificent as Professor Dumbledore's office takes more than wood, plaster, nails and paint. It takes imagination.
Tour Dumbledore's Office - Welcome to the self-guided tour of Professor Dumbledore's office, one of the most fascinating rooms at Hogwarts.
Interviews with Students, Professors and More
Gallery of Production Sketches
Spellcaster Knowledge Challenge [Game]
EA Game Preview
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