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Vol. I
No. 10 The Three Harry’s DV Indeed Most of us are now familiar with J.K. Rowling’s epic series centered on the character of Harry Potter. This children’s series, adapted from a collection of novels, has gained major ground among the adult audiences. It’s no wonder, as all of us are so frequently disappointed at the countless run-of-the-mill films we so often encounter. This series is the "Star Wars" of today. They are well written, excellently cast and progressively more involved as they unfold. Currently in theaters is the fourth in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. That said I’d like to go back to the first three films, this time on DVD, and see how they compared to the theater version. Again I remind you, unless they are presented on a high quality system instead of a 13-inch television, you’re not going to get the impact it took millions of dollars to produce. In that case you’re really not witnessing the full production!
Here the story line follows Harry’s introduction into Wizardhood and his schooling at Hogwarts, the famous school of wizardry. The quest in this adventure is to find the mysterious Sorcerer’s Stone, which is supposed to grant its possessor eternal life and the ability to transmute any metal into gold. We also see Harry and friends actively engaged in fine tuning there new crafts. The supporting actors are also chosen with precision. Maggie Smith (Tea With Mussolini, A Room With A View), Richard Harris (Cry The Beloved Country, Gulliver’s Travels), John Cleese (Monty Python), Alan Rickman (Die Hard, Bob Roberts) and John Hurt (Owning Mahoney, 1984) are among the strong cast assembled here. The film is dark at times but the DVD reveals details not seen at the theaters. Colors are vivid and very saturated. The transfer really looked good. You get a sense of three-dimension in a lot of the shots. This is not seen in theaters, unless of course it was viewed in IMAX or 3D. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound mix on the other hand was a little disappointing. It was recorded at a much less than reference level and although still good, it did not reveal all the subtle effects I heard at the theater. There was also the lack of a DTS soundtrack that I so hoped for. It seems they are not going to release a director’s cut with DTS at present; hopefully this will happen in the future. Of course you'll want this to start your collection and watch them mature before your eyes as the series progresses.
The pace here is quick from the start as Harry is rescued from his horrible life with his Muggle, or magic-less in laws to take a bumpy ride to Hogwarts to continue his quest towards wizardry. We also begin to see Harry’s dark side, as he reveals powers which were thought to only have been practiced by dark wizards such as his nemesis, Lord Voldemort. Snake-charming, it would seem, is not merely to be found in warmer climes as Harry puts his talents to use to uncover a 50-year-old plot against his fellow students. This disc transfer is superior to the first. The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is louder, snappier and richer. You get more immersed in the feeling of being there. I hope they continue to upgrade each new release in this manner. The colors are rich and the 3 dimensional look is more pronounced. This really makes you feel you are looking through a window at actual events. The British look and feel is as evident here as it was in the James Bond series. This is another must in your collection.
The cast also gained with the addition of Gary Oldman (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Batman Begins), one of the finest actors of our time. Oldman proved himself long ago with Sid and Nancy and his 360 jump soon after, playing writer Joe Orton in Prick up your Ears. Here, he is the infamous Sirius Black, the escaped killer form Azkaban, bent on the demise of Harry Potter. Supporting cast members shine here better than ever, even with the substitution of Michael Gambon (Sleepy Hollow, Plunkett & Macleane) as the enigmatic headmaster, Albus Dumbledore following the demise of Richard Harris. They far outshine the pale acting that Lord of the Rings portrayed at times, which found cast members starring aimlessly into the camera. These guys are actors and it’s no wonder, they are British and have a higher standard to meet than their American counterparts. The story here is darker and a little scarier than the first two. All three films in the series so far sport PG ratings and I would suggest them for ages 10 and up, as the young ones seem to scare more easily. Wow, they improved the DVD quality again, with far better volume in the Dolby 5.1 sound mix, more emersion into the soundfield and a much better picture than the last two. There are a lot of dark scenes in this edition, but the details are very pronounced. When you’re able to see more detail like this, one tends to study it more and you seem to find more interest in the story. It’s amazing how our senses bring up vivid pictures in our minds. Boy this series is beginning to be stiff competition in film circles. Of course I have to mention the ever-watchful eye of J.K.Rowling, who demands high standards as her works are transferred to the silver screen. Bravo to Chris Columbus, who still produces the series via 1492 films. Again, you’re going to have to have this one too! These DVDs bring a new standard to films. I would have never dreamed how film is being bettered by video. Some films, such as the last two Star Wars episodes, were shot on hi-definition video and projected in some theaters by digital video projectors. We have much to look forward to. Michael the K, in addition to his position as Associate Editor for Classifieds, is a long-time music producer and videographer living in Eureka. He can be reached at 445-4172 ex. 33, or at classifieds@humboldtsentinel.com.
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Copyright © 2005-06, Humboldt Sentinel. All rights reserved. |
Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - This first effort was artfully
directed by Chris Columbus, also the producer of the series and force
behind 1492 Films. Columbus introduces our main characters with grace.
From the hero Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) to the heroine Hermione (Emma Watson)
to the carrot topped comedian, Ron (Rupert Grint). These kids were made
to play these parts and they slip into them with ease. 
Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - In this second offering,
again directed by Chris Columbus, we’re treated to our familiar
bunch of characters with new entries to spice up the plot. This time Harry
must confront the Chamber of Secrets, the legendary hidden vault that
is thought to exist inside the fortress-like Hogwarts Castle. We are introduced
to Moaning Myrtle, who immediately steals your emotions. She’s a
ghost, haunting the ladies room she was so brutally murdered in. She also
holds clues to the chambers’ whereabouts. Again Columbus continues
to add new elements to the story to keep it alive and intriguing.
Harry
Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - This third entry into
the series had me worried a little. A new director, Alfonso Cuaron, whose
claim to fame was the popular low-budget Y Tu Mama Tambien (And
Your Mother Too) got a chance to try his craft on a proven blockbuster.
This is every upcoming director’s dream, to be able to please the
big audiences. It’s a tremendous challenge to ones craft. Well he
certainly won my respect. Harry took on a new life here, older and wiser.
The upgraded storyline kept you glued to the action.