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The highly anticipated sixth movie in the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series is nearly here. Eight years on from The Sorcerer’s Stone, the fantasy series takes another twist in The Half-Blood Prince as Harry learns more about his destiny as The Chosen One, and more importantly, the hormones begin to rage among the students at Hogwarts.
But before we get into all that, we take a tour through the movies that came before - the highs, the lows, the dodgy romantic entanglements, and the lessons learned. It’s unquestionably been a legendary journey thus far.
*Be warned, spoilers abound for those who haven’t yet read the books or seen the five preceding movies!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
What went down: We’re introduced to Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an orphan who lives with his vile aunt, uncle and their overweight son Dudley. On his 11th birthday, Harry meets the mysterious giant Hagrid who unlocks the secret to Harry’s until-then miserable existence – he is a wizard with an incredible destiny. As a baby, his parents were killed while trying to protect him from the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose very name is anathema because of the fear it incites. Harry somehow survived Voldemort’s vicious attack and carries a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead as a constant reminder of the day his parents died. Hagrid whisks Harry off to a safe haven, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he meets the three people who would become his closest allies – Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore and his two best friends – the ginger-haired Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and nerd Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). Together they learn of Voldemort’s plan to regain his prowess and finish what he started 10 years previously, and set off on a thrilling, perilous adventure for the ages.
Key scene: At his home on Privet Drive, Harry witnesses his first bit of magic, as countless letters from Hogwarts, hitherto hidden from him by his uncle, go flying around the living room.
Best quote: Hagrid: You're a wizard, Harry!
Harry: I'm a what?
Our rating: 2 stars out of 5
The CGI is a bit wobbly and the child actors, while adorable, seem a bit overwhelmed by the material. No one really cared though and they were on their way to superstardom. The movie’s $1 billion gross revenue might have had something to do with it.
Watch clips from the movie
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
What went down: The second year at Hogwarts sees Harry and the gang dealing with a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, the foppish Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh) and we’re introduced to rest of the sprawling Weasley brood. At Hogwarts, things get creepy as Harry begins to hear voices and finds words written on walls in blood. Harry learns that he shares a particular talent with Voldemort – he can speak to snakes. Ron’s younger sister Ginny is lured into the fabled Chamber of Secrets by Voldemort in the hopes of once again laying hands on his schoolboy diary. Harry nearly dies after being pierced by a basilisk fang but again thwarts Voldemort’s plans.
Key scene: Ron and Harry get to Hogwarts at the start of term in a flying car that crashes into the Whomping Willow.
Best quote: Gilderoy Lockhart: Let's have a pair get up and practice. Potter, Weasley, how about you?
Professor Snape: Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox.
Our rating: 3/5
Gilderoy Lockhart is a fun character and the story starts to sprout wings.
Watch clips from the movie
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
What went down: The notorious Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) escapes from the wizard prison Azkaban and the ghoulish prison guards, known as Dementors, are sent to guard Hogwarts against him – but they also have a particular interest in Harry. Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), who is hiding his own dark secret, is introduced as the newest Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and reveals his connection to Harry’s parents. Harry takes possession of the Marauder’s Map and learns that Sirius is actually his godfather. He’s magical powers show real promise as he is the only student in his year who can successfully perform a Patronus charm, the only way to fight off the soul-sucking Dementors.
Key scene: Harry and Hermione use a time-turner to travel back in time and save themselves from the Dementors.
Best quote: Dumbledore: A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who've forgotten how to listen.
Our rating: 4/5
The choice of Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, who has previously directed the sexy, not-for-kids road trip drama Y Tu Mama Tambien, was a brave and inspired choice. Prisoner of Azkaban sees the franchise’s dark undertones finally come to the surface. Feels like the first complete Harry Potter movie, and the pedigreed supporting cast (including Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie and Julie Walters) is amazing.
Watch clips from the movie
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
What went down: Hormones and competitiveness abound as Hogwarts receives guests for the highly anticipated Tri-Wizard Tournament - a legendary event in which one wizard each from two rival schools – Beauxbatons and Durmstrang - compete against Hogwarts in three dangerous tasks. We finally meet someone who is cooler and more popular than Harry, Hufflepuff 5th year Cedric Diggory (played by Twilight’s Robert Pattinson) and soon he and Harry are rivals in the Tri-Wizard Tournament as well as for Cho Chang’s affections. Harry loses the girl, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody (Brendan Gleeson) teaches Harry and the rest of the 4th years the three Unforgivable Curses, and the final task of the tournament brings about one of the most tragic chapters in Hogwarts history. Also, tensions start to build between Ron and Hermione, who becomes involved with famed Quidditch player and Tri-Wizard competitor Viktor Krum of Durmstrang.
Key scene: Harry and a newly reanimated Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) finally come face-to-face and engage in an epic graveyard duel.
Best quote: Voldemort: Don't you turn your back on me, Harry Potter! I want you to look at me when I kill you! I want to see the light leave your eyes!
Our rating: 4/5
Born out of arguably the most thrilling book in the Harry Potter series, the movie delivers with pace and vision, and the cast were finally maturing into their legendary characters. The Bulgarian and French schools are portrayed rather stereotypically, though.
Watch clips from the movie
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
What went down: Still devastated by the events of the previous school year, Harry returns to Hogwarts under a cloud. He is called before the Ministry of Magic for illegally casting a Patronus charm when he and his cousin Dudley were attacked by Dementors. Voldemort’s Death Eaters escape from Azkaban and hunt down Harry and the Order of the Phoenix, whose job is to protect him. Hogwarts gets yet another Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, the conniving and sadistic Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). Students turn to Harry to instruct them in the art of defending themselves against the Dark Arts, and the illegal club call themselves Dumbledore's Army. Harry’s scar begins to give him grief as the political wrangling between the Ministry and Dumbledore makes things at Hogwarts unbearable for many. Harry learns of the prophecy that Voldemort is intent on possessing, and shares his first kiss with Cho.
Key scene: The Order of the Phoenix fight the Death Eaters in the Ministry of Magic, resulting in the death of Sirius at the hands of lead Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter).
Best quote: Ron Weasley: Hermione, you are honestly the most wonderful person I have ever met. If I'm ever rude to you...
Hermione Granger: I'll know you've gone back to normal.
Our rating: 2/5
Very rushed and unremarkable adaptation of the book, with a few unforgivable poetic freedoms taken. And no one enjoys Harry’s bratty, moody phase.
Watch clips from the movie
What next for our boy hero? Will Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince see an improvement after the lacklustre Order of the Phoenix? And has Harry finally grown up and learned to accept the help of his friends?
All will be revealed on Wednesday 15 July as Harry Potter returns to the big screens.
