Before I really dive in and start writing really specific reviews I thought it would really fun to do a week of special reviews of really big name franchises/players just so that people can get a basic idea of my tastes. There really isn’t a better way than to rate things that everyone has seen and has strong feelings about, which brings me to the trifecta of Fandom. Lord of the Rings (and Hobbit), Star Wars (franchise and universe), and Harry Potter. I have many friends that obsess over these franchises EVEN today. Personally, I’m partial to Harry Potter (mostly due to the time period in which the first few films were released) but I happen to be a die-hard Star Wars fan and I do enjoy LoTR as well. Without further ado
Harry Potter Films Ranked-
9- The Deathly Hallows Pt 1
Although I really don’t have strong feelings either way about some of the lower positioned films on the list, this one is always the hardest to sit through and seems to serve the least purpose. The whole ‘Ron thinks Hermione is having an affair with Harry even though she isn’t even dating him’ story-line is really hard to sit through and the most memorable plot point all-together is Dobby dying, so that’s just sad. Splitting the final part was a poor choice in that all the lame build-up had to be put on 1, but what we got in the concluding chapter kind of made up for it.
8- Order of the Phoenix-
Umbridge makes my skin crawl. Yes, it’s all part of the actress’s job and she played it SOOO masterfully, but that doesn’t make me want to sit through it anymore. The whole Cho Chang thing is stupid too. The final 20 minutes is some of the best in the whole franchise, there just isn’t a lot of redeemable stuff throughout. I don’t take the books and how well they’ve been adapted into account much but turning the longest, and in my opinion, the 2nd or 3rd best book into the shortest and one of the most uneventful was just a pretty disappointing start for Yates. Luckily, he would recover quickly!
7- Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them-
I thought the world building in this to be pretty excellent as well as the introduction of all-new characters. I don’t think Newt is the most exciting character to drive an entire franchise, but this first entry seems to have done justice to the book and I always find myself enjoying it, it just isn’t as special as most of the others on the list.
6- Goblet of Fire-
When I first wrote this list, Goblet was 5th and Chamber was 6th, but after thinking a bit more about it, I do have to change that. Let me be clear, I love Goblet of Fire and everything below it on this list, in fact, Goblet was my favorite in the franchise at one time. Upon some reflection, it has one of the weakest (if not the very weakest) opening sequence, it seems to struggle in finding a balance between the humor and the dread (something that Pheonix does very poorly also) and when comparing it to Azkaban, it’s predecessor, it really deflated the progress of the series as a whole. I do love the dragons and the use of the tri-wizard tournament as a whole though, and I always watch this film with tons of affection!
5- Chamber of Secrets-
What a great follow up to the amazing film that started it all! I think Chamber does an amazing job of capturing a much more serious and dreadful tone, one that we can expect going forward, but managed to have fun in the process. I think I watch Chamber 2nd or 3rd most in the entire franchise and for good reason.
I must admit though, I don’t think it holds up quite so well (objectively speaking) as Sorcerors Stone or even Azkaban, I just really love watching this one.
4- Deathly Hallows Pt 2-
As far as going out with a bang, 10/10. As far as fan-service, 10/10. The last 45 minutes, 10/10. There is just a lot of build-up and on top of that, it’s goodbye, and even after having seen it a dozen times, it always feels too sad knowing its the end while you watch it. Now I know that isn’t a direct reflection of the quality, but it does make a difference when the smallest thing separates these Top 4.
3- Half-Blood Prince-
Interestingly, this was my least favorite theatre-going experience of them all (which is basically 4-8), and for a long time, it was one of my least favorites. Over the last 4 or 5 watches, I’ve really grown to love some of the subtle things that I feel take it over the top. It’s by far the most authentically funny of the franchise and manages to blend a very dark tone with very natural humor. In this film, the actors are starting peak as actors and not just as characters, and I think the use of color saturation to enhance the constant dread of the situation is a small but masterful piece of filmmaking.
There really isn’t anything working against this film other than Dumbledore dying (RIP), and in conclusion, it sets up what was supposed to be the concluding CHAPTER of the franchise masterfully.
2- Sorcerors Stone
Most people put this fairly low on their list and I think that’s a huge mistake. It’s a fantastic adaptation, it’s amazing in its world-building, and technically speaking, it’s extremely well crafted and holds up considering it’s been out for almost 2 decades.
Score- 10, SPfx (for the time)- 10, Cinematography- 10, add that to 3 strong performances by very young/inexperienced actors and you have franchise material quality.
1- Prisoner of Akzaban
It’s a great adaptation of one of the stronger books, it’s objectively the strongest directed film (and most outside the clichè of them all, and it’s the first film where all the pieces seemed to begin peaking. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have begun coming into their own as actors within the world of Magic and their characters, Alfonso Cuaron directs the hell of out, adding his french auteur artsiness that compliments the natural magic of the universe. Also, Serius and Lupin and the start of the Ron-Hermione saga.
Star Wars Rankings-
10) Attack of the Clones-
Terrible CGI, even worse acting, and a ridiculous plot. Not nearly as watchable as it was when I was a kid. Luckily, there’s alcohol.
9) Phantom Menace-
My nostalgia towards this film must not cloud my judgment. Other than the pretty neat pod racing scene and the introduction of Darth Maul, this offers nothing to the canon.
8) Rogue One-
When a movie requires it’s characters, not it’s plot, to carry on its success, it shouldn’t have such weak characters. the final half hour is pretty special but overall, it’s pretty lame.
7) Solo-
I had a lot of fun watching this. It isn’t great, but it was far more enjoyable than Rogue One.
6) Revenge of the Sith-
Far and away the best prequel, but the CGI was still a minor issue and the acting left a lot to be desired. Obi V Anakin was pretty awesome though.
5) Return of the Jedi-
I realize it’s pretty controversial, but I think episode 6 is the most overrated of the entire franchise. The entire first act is bland and weak and the Luke v Vader showdown isn;t as good as the one in ep5.
4) Force Awakens-
Though its kind of a ‘paint by numbers’ version of ep 4, it still did well in reviving the Star Wars Saga and introduced us to some pretty likable heroes yet again.
3) The Last Jedi-
Another pretty controversial choice but I really like that they went a different direction by subverting every clichè outcome Star Wars have grown to expect. There is some really badass fight choreography, and other than the Rey/Luke story-line and the weird Leia almost-death, I really enjoyed every minute of it. I’m also a fan of their use of humor and thought it was pulled off much better than in ep 7. Don’t hate me, it’s just how I feel.
2) A New Hope
I mean, duh.
1) Empire Strikes Back-
The best in every way. None stop bangers for scenes.
LoTR/Hobbit-
6) The Hobbit: 5 Armies
Just a whole lot of wasted CGI and lackluster script-writing.
5) The Hobbit: Unexpected Journey
A decent start to the trilogy, but nothing super special about it. Acting overpowered a pretty weak script and at times just felt out of place.
4) Hobbit: Smaug
I mean, Smaug is pretty dope. Overall, the Hobbit series is pretty hard to watch for me.
3) LoTR: Fellowship of the Ring
This one really hurt. I mean, these are 3 bangers. I just really feel like it’s apples to oranges. As the opening chapter, it’s the main source of introduction into the characters and that holds back how much action/drama it can contain.
2) LoTR: Two Towers
For a long time, this was my very favorite but you really can’t rival the final hour or ROTK. You just can’t. I will say, TT and ROTK are essentially flawless in my eyes.
1) LoTR: Return of the King
It’s just such a big piece of cinema. the spfx are pretty wicked considering it was 03′ and it’s just none stop excitement.
So I’m not as big on Lord of the Rings as I am on Star Wars and specifically Harry Potter, so sorry about the lack of reasoning behind my choices as I went on. Also, I’ve definitely been typing this for over an hour so I’m feeling kind of drained. I hope you like my lists though and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.
-JS
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