Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix [SOUNDTRACK]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
For its fifth cinematic installment, the Harry Potter franchise gets a new composer as England's Nicholas Hooper (a usual collaborator of new director David Yates) succeeds Patrick Doyle and John Williams. The screeching electric guitar that suddenly irrupts on the very first track, "Fireworks," lets the listener know that all is not quiet on the Hogwarts front. The kiddies are growing up, evil is spreading: which is worse?! But actually this modern sonic touch is deceiving: Hooper works within an old-school format and mostly sticks to tried-and-true effects. His score is best when it goes for tension and unease, particularly in its use of low, rumbling tones: A choir starts by humming in a menacing manner in "Dementors in the Underpass"; the sound at the beginning of "The Death of Sirius" feels as if it's being belched out from some deep, dark, scary place, creating an effective atmosphere of dread. Elsewhere, the beginning of "Possession" feels as if it belongs in a J-horror movie, and then the track becomes deceptively calm before the storm hits again. Keen listeners will recognize Williams' "Hedwig's Theme" in "Another Story," but mostly Hooper is his own man. Just like the overall series, which gets darker and darker as it goes along, this CD makes for a rather brooding listening experience--the pizzicato violins on "Umbridge Spoils a Beautiful Morning" provide one of the few jaunty touches. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description
Featuring a colorful and inspiring score by Nicholas Hooper, the soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix takes the movie-goer to the next level of magical enchantment right along with Harry and his friends.

The World of Harry Potter

Product Features

• Join Harry Potter on exciting adventures in this 4-in-1 game collection
• Master all things magical in a world filled with wizardry, fun, and danger
• Overcome adversity and challenges; turn-based battle sequences
• Interact with over 100 unforgettable characters from the book
• Enjoy stunning 3D environments and special effects

Product Description
World Of Harry Potter brings all of the early Harry Potter adventures to life. Experience his first three years at Hogwarts Academy, as he faces new trials and dangers at every turn. Combine the abilities of Harry, Hermione and Ron as they take on menaces unlike anything the world's ever seen before. Includes Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner Of Azkaban and Quidditch World Cup.

By Dave Millman "davemill" (San Jose, CA USA)
My 7 year old daughter and I have been searching for a good computer game to play ever since we finished up 101 Dalmations on the PC more than a year ago. I've read her the first three Harry Potter books, and then discovered this collection. It is a big winner.

You get four different games (which each originally sold for the cost of this collection, or more). We finished the Sorcerers Stone in about two weeks of evening play. It has plenty of play value to get us to go back, mainly to find the hidden secrets we did not find the first time, and to play some better games of Quiddich.

We have just begun playing the Chamber of Secrets. Everything about this one is an upgrade from Sorcerer's Stone: smoother play, more spells, more hidden areas, new activities, new features. We are enjoying it immensely.

Some kids are game fanatics, and can handle the controls alone. Another reviewer was correct, a game controller makes these much easier. My daughter and I share the controls when we play together. In these games, she takes the mouse to cast spells and direct Harry's point of view, I work the arrow keys to move us around. We have quite a lot of fun together this way.

The games feature the same story line and content as the books. Expect the same (very low) violence level as the books.

So I'm giving this bundle 5 stars based on just games. Heck, I would have given it 4 stars for the Sorcerer's Stone alone, or 5 stars for the Chamber of Secrets alone. This is a super value.

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-6) (Paperback)

Editorial Reviews

Book Description
Follow Harry from his first days at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, through his many adventures with Hermione and Ron, to his confrontations with rival Draco Malfoy and the dreaded Professor Snape. From a dangerous descent into the Chamber of Secrets to the Triwizard Tournament to the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, each adventure is more riveting and exhilarating than its predecessor, and now all six books are available together for the first time in an elegant paperback boxed set.

Harry Potter Boxset Books 1-7 (Hardcover)

Editorial Reviews
Book Description
HARRY POTTER BOXED SET 1-7 includes the seven phenomenal Harry Potter hardcover books by best selling author J. K. Rowling. These books are housed in a collectible trunk-like box with sturdy handles and privacy lock. Bonus decorative stickers are included in each boxed set.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc - Special Widescreen Edition)

Harry Potter Years 1-4 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Chamber of Secrets / Prisoner of Azkaban / Goblet of Fire) (Widescreen Edition) (2001)

By J. Ian Abbott "Rakkasan240B" (Dallas, GA USA)
I went out to buy the newest Harry Potter DVD (Movie 4) on it's release day, even though I don't already own the first two (I do own Movie 3, however). I knew I'd get the two I didn't own eventually, so why not get Movie 4 upon it's release? I arrived at the store and noted the price for the 2-disc Widescreen Special Edition of Movie 4 was about $23 USD. I looked around a bit and found this boxset with all four of the movies in it for $49 USD. That makes them about $12.50 USD each, and even though I'm buying one movie I own already, I'm getting three that I don't for less than I would pay buying them all seperately (Movie 4 was half the price of the boxset alone!).

The boxset contains Movies 1-4 in the 2-disc Widescreen Special Edition format. That is 8 discs total. Each one is packaged the same as it's original release, though Movies 3 and 4 don't have the cardboard slip covers that came with them originally, but they still display just as nicely. The box that the movies come in is rather weak and poorly constructed and I doubt I'll be keeping it, however I bought the set to get the movies at a bargin price and not to get a nice box to put them in.

I strongly recommend this set for anyone who wants to get the whole set for one low price, it's a great way to catch you collection up for cheap!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Full Screen Edition) (Harry Potter 3) (2004)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá También, director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book, considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry in a bid for revenge. This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-growing Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves), The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who poses a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination. They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted building in Britain. In addition to these new experiences, Harry must overcome the threats of the soul-sucking Dementors, outsmart a dangerous werewolf and finally deal with the truth about Sirius Black and his relationship to Harry and his parents. With his best friends, Harry masters advanced magic, crosses the barriers of time and changes the course of more than one life. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron and based on J.K. Rowling 's third book, this wondrous spellbinder soars with laughs, and the kind of breathless surprise only found in a Harry Potter adventure.

System Requirements:
Running Time 142 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 1) (2001)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential video
Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas

Product Description
The beloved book about a young wizard named Harry became a huge hit as a big screen feature and now makes its debut as deluxe DVD. In the film Daniel Radcliffe portrays the young orphan who gets invited to attend the exclusive Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, after years of living with his horrible aunt and uncle. At school he discovers his true heritage as the son of a witch and wizard, and faces a daunting force of evil. Get ready for fun, adventure, and action with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Special Features Include:

Never-before-seen-footage.

A 360 degree tour of Hogwarts controlled by the viewer's remote.

New interviews with the director and producer.

Learn how to play Quidditch.

Catch a Snitch with your remote.

Have a wand choose you at Ollivander's Wands.

Meet the ghosts who live at Hogwarts.

Cast a spell over a scene in eight languages.

Create potions.

Face challenges to reveal the secret in the Mirror of Erised.

Transfigure objects.

DVD ROM Includes:

Get sorted by the Sorting hat.

Collect wizard trading card.

Receive owl emails.

Lots of game demos...and more!

System Requirements:
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, and John Cleese.
Directed By: Chris Columbus.
Running Time: 152 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2002 Warner Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 4) (2005)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The fourth entry in the Harry Potter saga could be retitled Fast Times at Hogwarts, where finding a date to the winter ball is nearly as terrifying as worrying about Lord Voldemort's return. Thus, the young wizards' entry into puberty (and discovery of the opposite sex) opens up a rich mining field to balance out the dark content in the fourth movie (and the stories are only going to get darker). Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) handily takes the directing reins and eases his young cast through awkward growth spurts into true young actors. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, more sure of himself) has his first girl crush on fellow student Cho Chang (Katie Leung), and has his first big fight with best bud Ron (Rupert Grint). Meanwhile, Ron's underlying romantic tension with Hermione (Emma Watson) comes to a head over the winter ball, and when she makes one of those girl-into-woman Cinderella entrances, the boys' reactions indicate they've all crossed a threshold.

But don't worry, there's plenty of wizardry and action in Goblet of Fire. When the deadly Triwizard Tournament is hosted by Hogwarts, Harry finds his name mysteriously submitted (and chosen) to compete against wizards from two neighboring academies, as well as another Hogwarts student. The competition scenes are magnificently shot, with much-improved CGI effects (particularly the underwater challenge). And the climactic confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes, in a brilliant bit of casting) is the most thrilling yet. Goblet, the first installment to get a PG-13 rating, contains some violence as well as disturbing images for kids and some barely shrouded references at sexual awakening (Harry's bath scene in particular). The 2 1/2-hour film, lean considering it came from a 734-page book, trims out subplots about house-elves (they're not missed) and gives little screen time to the standard crew of the other Potter films, but adds in more of Britain's finest actors to the cast, such as Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody and Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter. Michael Gambon, in his second round as Professor Dumbledore, still hasn't brought audiences around to his interpretation of the role he took over after Richard Harris died, but it's a small smudge in an otherwise spotless adaptation. --Ellen A. Kim

On the DVD
The highlight of the two-disc set is a half-hour conversation with actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. They discuss their reactions to the film and other topics with British writer Richard Curtis . Then they answer questions from contest-winning fans, such as what are their favorite kids' books (Watson bypasses the obvious answer in favor of Roald Dahl and Philip Pullman) and what scenes are they looking forward to in upcoming films. More routine extras include the "Reflections on the Fourth Film" featurette (14 min.), though it has comments from some of the other young cast members, and "Preparing for the Yule Ball" (9 min.). The 10 minutes of additional scenes are mostly skulking and skullduggery, plus a long musical number from the ball. The remaining material is grouped along the lines of the Triwizard Tournament, with behind-the-scenes looks at each of the competitions (about 22 min. total), two longer featurettes on He Who Must Not Be Named (11 min.) and the workday of the other contestants (Robert Pattinson, Stanislav Ianevski, and Clémence Poésy, 13 min.), and four games, playable with the directional arrows on the remote control, that can be frustrating to figure out. --David Horiuchi

Product Description
When Harry Potter's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire, he becomes a competitor in a grueling battle for glory among three wizarding schools - the Triwizard Tournament. But since Harry never submitted his name for the Tournament, who did? Now Harry must confront a deadly dragon, fierce water demons and an enchanted maze only to find himself in the cruel grasp of He Who Must Not Be Named. In this fourth film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, everything changes as Harry, Ron and Hermione leave childhood forever and take on challenges greater than anything they could have imagined.
Running Time: 157 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE