I figured the best way for me to go about sharing my thoughts on HP is to just give you guys a list of my favorites from the series. It gets a bit confusing, because some of my favorites from the books are not the same as my favorites from the films. Tricky, isn't it? Nonetheless, here we go:
Favorite Nonimportant Character
It's hard to consider any character nonimportant in Harry Potter, because they all have a purpose or reason about them. One that had very little to give in the way of storyline, yet managed to catch and keep my attention, was Luna Lovegood. She was so odd, but funny and sometimes uncomfortably honest.
I loved her in the books, and thought they made an excellent choice in Evanna Lynch for the films. She portrayed Luna perfectly and beautifully.
Minerva McGonagall
Seriously, this chick was awesome not only in the novels but also in the films (portrayed by the fabulous Maggie Smith). I love that she was strict and somewhat intimidating, but also had a bit of fun here and there. I also admired how fiercely loyal she remained to Dumbledore and Hogwarts.
Favorite mythical creature
Gotta go with hippogriffs on this one. I thought it was great how Buckbeak was a creature that demanded respect, but once he accepted you he was a tender and playful pet. He also saved Harry and Hermoine from Lupin (as a werewolf) and helped Sirius escape. Winner.
At first I jumped to Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I probably wouldn't really enjoy that class, mostly because I'm a chicken, but partly because of the weirdos who passed through that class posing as professors. I think the class I would most enjoy would be Transfiguration with McGonagall. Who wouldn't want to turn stuff into other stuff?
No question about this one, most definitely Arthur and Molly Weasley. I'd have to say they're my favorite family as well. I love how Arthur is infatuated with Muggle objects, and he's got the most amusing personality. Molly is sassy and bossy, but is a wonderful mother to her children, and practically adopts Harry. I would love to spend a day inside the Weasley house with that family!
On a side note, I've seen Mark Williams (Arthur) give interviews, and he seems like a cool, fun dude. Bonus points to the Weasleys!
This one is a toughy because Ron and Hermione are both such great friends to Harry. I sorted it out by breaking it up. My favorite BFF to Harry in the novels is Hermione. She's brilliant, quick-witted, honest and loyal to Harry, although a bit of a prude half the time. If it weren't for her, Harry would've bit it in the first book.
My favorite BFF to Harry in the films is Ron. He's such a dork, and can't help but envy Harry's constant place in the spotlight, but he was Harry's very first friend at Hogwarts and stuck with him through the worst of it all. He's also pretty funny.
Gotta go with Harry's first ever match. Being the youngest Seeker in a century, having just learned how to fly and managing to win the match while nearly choking on the snitch? Greatness. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the matches in the novels. It was even better to see the games brought to life in the films (although in the first film they all resembled stick figures on a computer screen - thank God for advancement in digital art!)
Favorite villain(s)
This was another tough one, because honestly Voldemort wasn't my favorite villain. Yeah, he's terrifying. Yeah he's freaky looking. Still, not my fave. Again I had to divide my favorite into film and novel.
Novels: Dolores Umbridge. That chick was psycho. I spent most of the book just waiting for the kids to do anything and everything to piss her off. Plus, she forced the creation of Dumbledore's Army. When twenty-something kids have to form a secret army to fight a tiny little woman, you know she's badass.
Films: Bellatrix Lestrange. Maybe it's because Helena Bonham-Carter already weirded me out, but this character was scary good. Her maniacal laughter and cackling all the time.....creepy. She also killed Sirius, the only good family Harry had left, which makes her a pretty evil lady in my book.
Favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher
Gotta be Remus Lupin. He was kind, honest and the only truly decent D.A.D.A. professor those poor kids had. I loved that he was once one of James Potter's best pals in school, and his immediate need to look out for Harry.
Favorite Member of Dumbledore's Army
Neville Longbottom. I felt so sorry for this kid throughout the majority of the books, and was pleased to see him begin to come out of his shell, gain confidence and turn out to be one of the most important characters in the series. Matt Lewis did a great job portraying Neville, and I can't express how glad I am that he grew up to be a cutie. I was worried for a few years there that he'd never catch up to those teeth.
Characters I'd most likely have a crush on if I were a student at Hogwarts
Obviously, Fred and George Weasley. I have a thing for troublemakers who are also funny, and these two are the epitome. Loved them in the novels and adored them in the films. This is part of the reason I was so upset while reading Deathly Hallows. I know I'll be crying my eyes out at some point during Part Two on Saturday. Sheesh.
Would have to be Order of the Phoenix. Umbridge was so deliciously bad. Fred and George were at their most creative and daring. Bellatrix was there. Dumbledore's Army. The Order. The only part I hated, of course, was Sirius being killed.
By the time we're on year five, the characters are all solidly developed, relationships have been forged, enemies made and the Dark Lord is back. I was swept up in this novel from start to finish.
Most Favorite Character in the Novels (and films)
Surprisingly (even to me), Severus Snape. J.K. Rowling was brilliant in the creation of Snape. Additionally, they could not have picked a better man to portray Snape than Alan Rickman if they tried. The man is a genius. I went back and forth on whether or not I thought he was good guy/bad guy until the very last novel. You hate him so much, but at the same time have to appreciate his ability to confuse you. The way he treats Harry is abysmal, but multiple times he was there to protect the kids from harm. He's the guy we all love to hate.
Well there you have it. Do I share any of your favorites? If not, who would you pick?
Posts
Sorry, I know nothing about Harry Potter. Nothing about the books or the movies. Do you recommend reading them? I figured it was really for kids and not adults xx
ReplyDeleteI know I'm really late in saying this, but, yeah, you should read them. I'm 14, so I guess I'm a kid, but there is so much literarary value and so many rich characters and life lessons in the books. They were geared for kids, but the books get darker and more adult as the series goes on, dealing with death, pain, government corruption and racism, along with other issues. The great thing is that they still have humor, fun and magic, and you really care about characters you may see only twice. I would Definatly
DeleteI am so right there with ya, sister! And while I DID spend the past 10 years of my life with this story and these characters, I do applaud you for joining the club with the books before the end of the film franchise.
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing one of these posts tomorrow most likely, no shame about it whatsoever, so check back to see my answers to some of these questions. I have too many thoughts from 10 years worth of thinking about everything to succinctly respond in comment form. I will also be showcasing pictures from when I went to Harry Potter World for New Year's this year. It was seriously the best thing on the planet.
Potter nerd and proud. :-)
I have not seen or read any of the movies or books but my youngest daughter loves Harry and last night went to the midnight screening of the last movie,she is still in bed so have no idea what she thought of it but knowing my daughter like I do she will have loved it. She is going again on the weekend to see it with her sister although she hasn't asked me yet to watch Leo I know she will I only know she is going again because I heard her telling a freind yesterday..
ReplyDeleteYou know, Matt never had to "grow into his teeth," they were fake when he played Neville. He also wore plastic behind his ears in the first few movies to make his ears stick out. He also wore a fat suit. I thought he was cute with them all in anyway, but Neville's my favorite character, so I may be biased.
ReplyDeleteYeah.. I love harry potter so much man. and I TOTALLY Agree with everything listed above :-)
ReplyDelete