Welcome to Day Two of Ramblings of a Minnesota Geek's multi-day celebration of all things HARRY POTTER, the films. Yesterday I ranked the series, and now I'm going to list some scenes from the films I love. Plus some quotes thrown in for good measure.
Favorite Moments of the Series
Harry Faces Voldemort
Film: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
First year at Hogwarts: not exactly calm by any stretch of the imagination. Already young Harry has immersed himself in a mystery involving the Sorcerer's Stone and some dude named Nicholas Flammel. This path ultimately leads him to his nemesis, Lord Voldemort, branded on the back of a Hogwarts professor. For the first time since he was a baby - the night Voldemort murdered his father and sacrificial mother - Harry and Voldemort come face to face. It's a positively tense scene, and the lighting and performances sell it spectacularly. This first meeting of the two wizards more entwined than any before them is definitely one of the memorable scenes of the series.
"There is no good and evil. There is only power... and those too weak to seek it."
Draco Vs. Harry
Film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
In Sorcerer's Stone, Harry declined an invitation on Draco's behalf to be part of his gang, and since then, they've been the youngster equivalent of arch enemies. Malfoy does something stupid, Harry steps in; Malfoy lays some smack on the Potter, Harry just...well, depends on the day: he either shrugs, or gets really pissed off. Here, Professors Lockhearts and Snape enter Potter and Mafloy in a duel, and although it isn't as fulfillingly sweet as I would have liked it to be, it does have some brilliant lead-up moments. For example:
"Scared Potter?"
"You wish."
The Knight Bus
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Absolutely bonkers. The whole Knight Bus sequence doesn't take more than, say, five minutes, but it's brilliant and highly memorable. The talking head on the bus ("Hey, why the long faces?" [laughs]), the ominous words about Sirius Black being Voldemort's supporter ("Yeah, him I heard of"), and of course director Cuaron just going all-out zaney with the camera. The bus interior is shaking and sliding all over the place, a old lady decides to cross the road in a manner that would infuriate anyone, and Harry splats against a window. What's not to love?
Harry Takes Flight
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
This is one of those moments that aren't relevant to the plot all that much (well, Harry and Buckbeak's friendship, I guess), but is simply beautiful. Visually, yes, Alfonso Cuaron crafts some gorgeous cinematography in this short sequence. Musically, John Williams captures the swooping, fearless, magical, freedom of flying through the wind...not like I would know from personal experience. And it gives Daniel Radclife the opportunity to just show a entirely happy Harry Potter, something that will be in short supply in the coming year. All in all, it's a beautiful sequence, and one I go back to quite often.
"You tell those spiders, Ron."
Qudditch, Third Year
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Frakkin' terrifying. Never really been a fan of Qudditch, but blimey, this was an intense match. Harry is harassed by a half dozen Dementors and falls off his broom to his certain death...if it wasn't for an intervention from a certain gray-bearded wizard. Amazing scene, absolutely compelling what with the rain and Harry nearly dying (again) and John Williams showing off why he's the coolest guy in the bizzness. Overall greatness.
Hermione Kicks Arse
Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
What can possibly be more satisfying than bookworm Hermione Granger flat-out punching Draco Mafloy? Not much, is the answer. One of the bestest moments of the series.
Here There Be Dragons!
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I still have problems with the dragon getting loose and chasing Harry all over the castle, but overall, a movie with a dragon is a movie with a dragon: fine by me. All movies need a dragon, I think.
"My eyes aren't glistening with the ghosts of my past!"
Why Do They Have to be in Packs?
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and Girls. Give the kid a Dark Lord to vanquish, and he's set. Give him the task of getting a date for the Yule Ball - epic fail. Don't distress there, Harry, right there with ya.
Voldemort Reborn
Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Oh shit, Voldy's back.
"Look at Me!"
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Voldemort's grasp over Harry is tightening, and in this instance, Harry's anger and frustration is getting the best of him and he lashes out at Dumbeldore. Indeed, not the most notable scene of the series, but something that definitely sticks out. For some reason I enjoyed Harry yelling at Dumbeldore - after all, this is a guy who manipulates Harry, ignores him most of the year, and doesn't tell him the truth of basically anything. So, Harry has a reason to be pissed.
"Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now: students. If they can do it, why not us?"
The Only One He Ever Feared
Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Five films into the series, and we haven't been given a proper wizard battle. Well, this movie definitely delivers it. At the Ministry of Magic, after Harry's tragic loss, Voldemort appears to do away with his 'ittle pesky nuisance, but Dumbeldore shows up, the only wizard the Dark Lord has ever feared. In a stunning duel filled with amazing imagery and acting from Ralph Fiennes, David Yates shows us Voldemort at the height of his power and exactly how much of a threat the Dark Lord is. And how badass Dumbeldore can be.
"Harry doesn't want to talk to us right now. He's just too polite to say so."
Dance of Despair
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
I wrote about this before, so I'm simply going to quote myself: "No amount of wizarding battles or hilarious one-liners or action sequences can quite compare to this quite two minute scene that packs one hell of an emotional punch. As you can tell from the poster - and any Potter fan knows - Harry is on the run from everyone. Voldemort has infiltrated the Ministry and now they want his head on a plate. His friendship with Ron is strained to the point that Ron leaves, but Hermione chooses to stay, her heart conflicted. This scene happens some days after Ron leaves, as Hermione is so completely lost - whether it be lost with hope, or questioning her decision to stay with Harry, what have you, that woman is depressed, broken maybe - and Harry sits down across from her and sees her despair. The radio is on, Nick Cave's "O Children" playing, and Harry gets up and offers his hand to Hermione. The two of them get up and dance. Often I hear about how 'cute' the scene is, and although that it is, the scene is also poignant. It's just a fleeting moment of happiness and carefreeness before re-entering the world where everyone wants to kill them. It is not a romantic moment, it is not a blotted scene to bring us to a long running time, it's a quiet little scene that gives us so much and bares a heavy emotional impact. Life is shit right now, so let's take a moment from that and just forget our worries. Taking it into another context, it's a beautiful moment showing how far these two characters have progressed from the first movie to this last story, their arcs, their grown upness. Magnificent scene, and definitely one of the best of the series."
I wrote about this before, so I'm simply going to quote myself: "No amount of wizarding battles or hilarious one-liners or action sequences can quite compare to this quite two minute scene that packs one hell of an emotional punch. As you can tell from the poster - and any Potter fan knows - Harry is on the run from everyone. Voldemort has infiltrated the Ministry and now they want his head on a plate. His friendship with Ron is strained to the point that Ron leaves, but Hermione chooses to stay, her heart conflicted. This scene happens some days after Ron leaves, as Hermione is so completely lost - whether it be lost with hope, or questioning her decision to stay with Harry, what have you, that woman is depressed, broken maybe - and Harry sits down across from her and sees her despair. The radio is on, Nick Cave's "O Children" playing, and Harry gets up and offers his hand to Hermione. The two of them get up and dance. Often I hear about how 'cute' the scene is, and although that it is, the scene is also poignant. It's just a fleeting moment of happiness and carefreeness before re-entering the world where everyone wants to kill them. It is not a romantic moment, it is not a blotted scene to bring us to a long running time, it's a quiet little scene that gives us so much and bares a heavy emotional impact. Life is shit right now, so let's take a moment from that and just forget our worries. Taking it into another context, it's a beautiful moment showing how far these two characters have progressed from the first movie to this last story, their arcs, their grown upness. Magnificent scene, and definitely one of the best of the series."
Ron Faces the Darkness
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Ron deserves this moment. After staying in Harry's shadow for years, after having so much doubt and consumed with a unsanctioned jealousy, Ronald Weasley is given the opportunity to face his own darkness, and overcome it. A shinning moment for Rupert Grint, and a spectacular moment for Ron. Highlight of the series.
Harry Reveals Himself
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Looks like Harry's dead. Er...maybe not. Voldemort feels quite victorious, and he definitely shows that off with his mighty freaky laughing. He shows off Harry's body as a prized object. The Boy Who Lived - dead! Neville steps forward, delivers a speech about Harry's everlasting influence, and then the moment comes - Harry pushes himself out of Hagrid's clutch, and reveals himself to Lord Voldemort and the Hogwarts survivors. Voldemort is, naturally, fairly pissed. It's one hell of a fist-pump moment,and leads us into the oh-so-cool fight seven and a half films in the making.
"Come on, Tom. Let's finish this the way we started. Together!"
The Final Duel
Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
This is it. This is The End. Harry vs. Voldemort. Eight films. Hours of build up and anticipation. The foreplay has been so marvelous one is about to burst. Finally, it happens. Wands drawn (literal wands, here, now), Harry and Voldemort duel to the death. Voldemort possesses superior skill and powers, and Harry has a certain trick up his sleeve that will near guarantee him the duel - if he survives long enough for it to work. Greatly expanded from Rowling's novel, Harry and Voldemort's battle is satisfying, although even still, I wish there was a bit more. There is, however, a spectacular moment when the two characters are stuck together flying throughout Hogwarts and at one point, the two merge into one and create one of the freakiest effects of the entire series. In the end, only one can survive, and the execution here is marvelous.
So there we have it, a list of only a few brilliant, memorable scenes of the eight-film series. There is so much to love, so much to cherish from these films, it's impossible to make a exhaustive and full list. But here's the top ones from me brain. Hope you enjoyed, agree/disagree, and had a lovely walk down memory lane.
Oh, and sorry for the lack of HALF-BLOOD PRINCE love. Seriously, apologies.
So there we have it, a list of only a few brilliant, memorable scenes of the eight-film series. There is so much to love, so much to cherish from these films, it's impossible to make a exhaustive and full list. But here's the top ones from me brain. Hope you enjoyed, agree/disagree, and had a lovely walk down memory lane.
Oh, and sorry for the lack of HALF-BLOOD PRINCE love. Seriously, apologies.
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