 |
What’s
not to like about Harry Potter? Written
by J.K. Rowling, the series follows the
exploits of Harry as he learns and grows
amongst other wizards-to-be at Hogwart’s
School. The books are ripe with adventure
and mystery, and are written in such a way
as to help children make the transition
from ‘kiddie books’ to more
adult fare. (And in some parts of the country,
I understand they’ve helped some adults
make the transition, too.) The great thing
about the movies, unlike many books made
into films, is there is a concerted effort
to stick to the story with minimal changes.
I did not become a fan of the series until
the first film came out. “Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer’s Stone” sparked
my imagination and prompted me to start
reading the book to my son. I continued
to follow each film and have yet to be disappointed.
I’m almost sad that the saga will
soon be coming to an end with the two films
that will encompass the final book if the
series.
|
But where I have been truly given a new appreciation
of the world of Harry Potter is with the listening
to the audio book presentations performed by the
great Jim Dale (“Pete’s Dragon”,
“Barnum”). He reads from an actor’s
perspective, giving each character a life of their
own. And getting the full story that you cannot
always get in the movie, just makes the movie
experience all the richer. I highly recommend
listening to these if you ever get a chance.
Oddly enough, there are a lot of detractors to
the series out there. Many religious groups seem
to think the books and movies are evil, and teach
our children to believe in something other than
God. They see their kids going around pretending
to be Harry and casting spells against their imaginary
enemies and somehow this is a bad thing. This
is complete and utter hogwash. Have these people
forgotten ‘Cowboys and Indians’, ‘Cops
and Robbers’ or playing ‘Army?’
Playing ‘Harry’ is no different. Kids
have imaginations that should be nurtured, and
that’s what the Harry Potter series does.
If child has a problem understanding the difference
between what is real and imagined, I believe the
problem lies with the parents (though they’ll
scream and holler otherwise).
Then there’s the film ‘purists’
that believe that any movie that makes money is
a commercial sell-out intended to be a cash cow
with no redeemable cinematic value. I’d
like to remind these ‘intellectually challenged’
people that while there is room for films that
teach or enlighten, there is nothing wrong with
films that merely entertain.
But that’s not really what I’m here
to talk about today; rather I would like to make
another recommendation. Warner Home Video is releasing
all of the Harry Potter films in multiple disc
“Ultimate Editions.” They are not
doing this all at one time, but the first two
were released at the beginning of December. These
sets are going to offer both the Theatrical and
Extended Versions of the films.
I was fortunate enough to have been sent the Bluray
set for “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone” and was amazed by the sheer size
of the package. The slipcover sleeve comes off
to reveal a book style casing that folds open.
Inside you will find a package containing the
discs for the film, another holding some collectible
cards and a 48 page book that acts as a companion
piece to the new documentary.
And speaking of Documentary, this set includes
the first in an eight part series called “Creating
the World of Harry Potter.” There is a promise
that here will be a new part to this all-encompassing
documentary. This first part, “The Magic
Begins,” runs a little over an hour and
is one of the better documentaries I have seen.
It’s not a lot of promotional fluff, but
really gets to the nitty gritty of creating this
series. My hope is that all eight parts will be
equally as good.
The set includes all of the games and features
that were available on previous sets, but they
also added an “In Movie Experience”
which acts as a kind of picture-in-picture video
commentary, complete with storyboards and the
like. This is only available on the Theatrical
Version of the film though. There is also an introduction
by Daniel Radcliffe, a little promo piece on the
film, and several deleted scenes.
Truth be told, this is an amazing set Warners
put together for this first film. I was so impressed
that I had to run out and buy the set for “Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” I’ve
included a listing of special features for this
set below.
I’m very excited about these sets coming
out and look forward to collecting all of them,
right through to the very last film. Bring on
“Deathly Hallows!!!”
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone Ultimate Edition (Bluray)
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grant, Emma
Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick
Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Alan
Rickman, Maggie Smith
Extras: Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part
1: The Magic Begins; Featurettes; Galleries; Deleted
scenes; Trailers; Collectible Cards; Digital Download;
48 Page Booklet
Specifications: 1080p/VC-1 (2.40:1); English DTS-HD
6.1 Surround Sound (Theatrical); English DTS-HD
5.1; Surround Sound (Extended); Spanish Dolby
Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound (Theatrical); Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (Extended)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Ultimate Edition (Bluray)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grant, Emma
Watson, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane,
Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris,
Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie
Smith, Julie Walters
Extras: Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part
2: Characters; Screen tests; Featurettes; Deleted
scenes; Galleries; Trailers; WB Maximum Movie
Mode; In-Movie Experience with Chris Columbus;BD-Live;
Digital Download of the Film; Collectible Cards;
48 Page Booklet Specifications: 1080p/VC-1 (2.40:1);
English DTS-HD 6.1 Surround Sound (Theatrical);
English DTS-HD 5.1; Surround Sound (Extended);
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround Sound (Theatrical);
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (Extended)
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 12/8/2009
MPAA Rating: PG (Scary Moments, Some Creature
Violence and Mild Language)
http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/home.html
We'll give Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
/ Chamber of Secrets Ultimate Editions an A+.
|
