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Reviews

I am a Harry Potter fan and have loved the movies. They followed closely to the book on some things, but to me key parts were left out. So much info on what made Voldemort tick was in many of the "flashback/memories" collected that we did not get to see. SO much that is important to the final installment. And don't get me started on how disappointing the ending was. WHAT happened to the big fight scene at the school, the chaos, which was done so well in the 5th movie!? I understand you have to cut things out, but they could have left out the made up fight at the Weasleys. Ok if you didn't read the books, but most people following the movies have been following the books.

Me being an antagonist lover, I loved this movie. First we see Snape clarifying his loyalty to the dark lord VOLDEMORT (That's right I said it, heheh) Then we see the weasley's house get destroyed, which I thought was a brutal middle finger to the protagonists, heheheheh. I loved this movie because it was darker and more sinister than the other Harry Potter films. Also I don't read the books, so maybe that's why I don't see any flaws in this film. GO LORD VOLDEMORT (HA, I said his name again)

This franchise is one of the few that can safely refute the old adage that sequels are never as good as the original. Indeed, it's something of an amazement how the Potter franchise has managed to maintain such quality of filmmaking after so many sequels. I think that's why interest is still so high for these films after so many years and probably why the final book is being split into 2 films, to milk it for all they can - not to imply the story isn't worth it; I'm glad their are two more films to look forward to rather than just one. But, as with most of the other larger book translations (eg. Goblet of Fire) there was a lot of interesting moments cut from the film rendition that we can only hope may someday be restored in the eventual ultimate BD editions ala the first two films (assuming they were actually shot). As is, the sixth film in the Potter franchise plays more like a filler to build anticipation for the final installments, than a self-contained story with a unique and notable purpose of its own. The series has become progressively darker and more mature with each installment and this is no exception. Gone is much of the innocense and naive wonder that built this esoteric cobblestone world. But for those of us so enthralled, seeing it visually imagined as capably, dare I say, brilliantly, can be reward enough (assuming the final chapters make up for the story that this one lacks) even if there is little payoff in the end. As for the BD, I think Warner's authoring has gradually improved over the past couple of years. The days of their masters being biased for the limitations of the DVD format seems to be drifting further and further behind - at least for new release titles. Most of their catalog HD offerings still tend to be a little lacking in detail - often more than a little. But with films that have been recently mastered like this one, there's little reason to complain, based on 1080p/24 projection onto a 100" screen (smaller displays will no doubt be more foregiving, just as larger projected images could magnify problems I didn't notice or at least didn't find too cumbersome).

This item came exactly as described and shipped super fast. I'd recommend this seller and would do business with them again.

This is a great Movie! Some changes from the book but all in all a winner if you love Harry! The characters are becoming more mature with the seriousness of the threat of the deatheaters. My 'used' DVD arrived looking just like one off the shelf!

Reviews

I am a Harry Potter fan and have loved the movies. They followed closely to the book on some things, but to me key parts were left out. So much info on what made Voldemort tick was in many of the "flashback/memories" collected that we did not get to see. SO much that is important to the final installment. And don't get me started on how disappointing the ending was. WHAT happened to the big fight scene at the school, the chaos, which was done so well in the 5th movie!? I understand you have to cut things out, but they could have left out the made up fight at the Weasleys. Ok if you didn't read the books, but most people following the movies have been following the books.

Me being an antagonist lover, I loved this movie. First we see Snape clarifying his loyalty to the dark lord VOLDEMORT (That's right I said it, heheh) Then we see the weasley's house get destroyed, which I thought was a brutal middle finger to the protagonists, heheheheh. I loved this movie because it was darker and more sinister than the other Harry Potter films. Also I don't read the books, so maybe that's why I don't see any flaws in this film. GO LORD VOLDEMORT (HA, I said his name again)

This franchise is one of the few that can safely refute the old adage that sequels are never as good as the original. Indeed, it's something of an amazement how the Potter franchise has managed to maintain such quality of filmmaking after so many sequels. I think that's why interest is still so high for these films after so many years and probably why the final book is being split into 2 films, to milk it for all they can - not to imply the story isn't worth it; I'm glad their are two more films to look forward to rather than just one. But, as with most of the other larger book translations (eg. Goblet of Fire) there was a lot of interesting moments cut from the film rendition that we can only hope may someday be restored in the eventual ultimate BD editions ala the first two films (assuming they were actually shot). As is, the sixth film in the Potter franchise plays more like a filler to build anticipation for the final installments, than a self-contained story with a unique and notable purpose of its own. The series has become progressively darker and more mature with each installment and this is no exception. Gone is much of the innocense and naive wonder that built this esoteric cobblestone world. But for those of us so enthralled, seeing it visually imagined as capably, dare I say, brilliantly, can be reward enough (assuming the final chapters make up for the story that this one lacks) even if there is little payoff in the end. As for the BD, I think Warner's authoring has gradually improved over the past couple of years. The days of their masters being biased for the limitations of the DVD format seems to be drifting further and further behind - at least for new release titles. Most of their catalog HD offerings still tend to be a little lacking in detail - often more than a little. But with films that have been recently mastered like this one, there's little reason to complain, based on 1080p/24 projection onto a 100" screen (smaller displays will no doubt be more foregiving, just as larger projected images could magnify problems I didn't notice or at least didn't find too cumbersome).

This item came exactly as described and shipped super fast. I'd recommend this seller and would do business with them again.

This is a great Movie! Some changes from the book but all in all a winner if you love Harry! The characters are becoming more mature with the seriousness of the threat of the deatheaters. My 'used' DVD arrived looking just like one off the shelf!

Reviews

good movie for a good price. came when it was suppost to, no issues at all 5 stars

Although this is the most watered down film in the series, it's not the worst, and it's not bad. Personally, I do agree with many of you that many essential plot developments were excised from OOTP, but after reading Deathly Hallows, I realized how unimportant some of those plotlines or revelations were. When I first saw this movie in theaters, I was left a little bewildered that they would cut out most of the prophecy made by Trelawney in the orb; the entire (spoiler alert) dialogue about Neville almost suffering Harry's fate (end spoiler) was left out, and I thought that that would be an essential revelation for DH, but after reading the book, I figured out, it wasn't. So, all in all, I felt the film was not missing anything as a film. Yes, if did not have the all-around action Goblet of Fire had (instead, it had an amazing finale where you see wizards wand-dueling). My only complaint with Order of the Phoenix was not its plot, but mainly its delivery. I think Yates is an outstanding director (especially after seeing Half-Blood Prince), but his transition from television film to Hollywood film could not have been made more apparent than in this film. There were parts that I felt Yates was not able to handle a Hollywood production as effectively as a more experienced director such as Alfonso Cuaron and Chris Columbus would. There were scenes that lacked the proper intensity or scenes that ruined the credibility of this medieval-looking fantasy world. An example would be a scene where Filch sits in front of the Room of Requirement to wait for the students to leave. While he waits, he is sitting on a chair with a foldable table in front and a thermus on top (two objects that seemed very out of place for this dark and surreal setting); but, then again, that might have been Yates's intention (bringing the real world to Hogwarts). Another example would be when the trio arrive at Hogwarts and are seated in the Great Hall; here, Dumbledore's speech is handled in too much of a mundane way. In all the other films prior, Dumbledore's speech marked the beginning of the adventure at Hogwarts, but here, it became too routine and slightly boring. Luckily, this was something Yates realized and fixed in Half-Blood Prince, where he gave Dumbledore the proper close-up he deserved as well as a moving, metallic owl to mark the beginning of his foreboding speech. On the up side, Yates is an amazing filmmaker, and he does some really great work here. In my opinion, this was the first Harry Potter movie to develop J.K. Rowling's strong themes of good and evil. The scenes where Harry is having internal struggles are very well-done; so well done that they brought to mind classic films such as the Star Wars pictures. When he confronts Voldemort at the end of this film, he doesn't do so physically, but it proves to be more of a psychological showdown; and it is done extremely well. In fact, Yates did this so well that I was left extremely satisfied after watching the film because I felt that the most importand aspect of J.K. Rowling's book was adapted masterfully onscreen. Could it have been done better? Maybe! But, all I know is that Yates was able to achieve it effectively, and that was good enough for me. I really recommend this movie. It's not perfect, but it's entertaining and it proves that children's entertainment can be challenging, thought-provoking, and powerful.

My daughter is a huge HP fan and she really likes it on Blu-Ray due to the improved image quality as well as all the additional features.

Same as other review. Love Harry Potter movies and this one is great as are the others. Can't wait for the final two movies.

Delivered before i expected it, and was in perfect condition for a great christmas present.

Reviews

Thank you very much for promptly sending this product. I once saw it at Wal-Mart and didn't buy it. I thought I had lost my chance. Thanks again. A++++

If you are a Harry Potter fan you don't need my review; if you haven't read them ...START, and go through the series ending with the Deathly Hallows. All your questions will be answered, all your doubts resolved, all your fears allayed. The only question you will be left with is: Why end the series here? I want MORE!!!

If you like action, adventure and love then you will love Harry Potter. It will take you on a roller coaster of battles and dueling. This book will open your mind and keep it open for your imagination to run wild. You will truly see the magic come alive. Harry is finally here at the moment of truth. This is his seventh year at Hogwarts. The Dark Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters have infiltrated the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron and Hermione are searching for the last of the Horcux's with the items Dumbledore left them. The final duel is finally here. I loved this book it was the best out of all the Harry Potter books. I didn't like how the Epilogue was just kind of there, but I wish that J.K. Rowling would have written another book giving us more details about what happens in the future. I thought that everything was beautifully played out in the book. All of the events lead up to the battle, and the battle itself is what made it so brilliant. - Tobi E.

I read it in a few days and loved it! I was sad to see the series end.

GREAT, GREAT, GREAT. ONLY DOWNER IS IT'S THE LAST IN THE SERIES. NO MORE CHANCES TO ESCAPE REALITY. J.K. PLEASE CREATE ANOTHER MAGICAL BEING.

Reviews

Thirteen years after the publication of the first book in the series (not to mention the follow-up of six sequels, plus the first six movie adaptations), any charges from the original critics that the Harry Potter series was going to be just a short-lived fad have long since been rendered obsolete. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (aka Harry Potter And The Sorceror's Stone) may have been the reading world's most valuable entry in years because it started to reverse the decades-long erosion in book-readers - particularly among children - and in doing so has played a role in seeing to it that novels and other written works continue to have a healthy future in the digital world. Beyond all that, though, it's just a tremendously valuable book for a simpler reason - it's a great story well-told, with great ideas and some of the most memorable characters you're ever likely to read about. The gist of the story is almost universally well-known by now. Harry Potter, an unhappy, parent-less, seemingly ordinary boy, living with relatives who really don't like him, suddenly finds out he's from a long line of wizards. Not only that, powerful magic flows through his own veins, he's already immensely famous in the hidden world of magic, and he's just been invited to attend Hogwart's School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason for his fame is that, in some way nobody understands, the infant Harry played a key role in the defeat of the Dark Lord, Voldemort - the most dangerous dark wizard of all time - on the very night his parents died years ago. But now at Hogwarts, with friends and a hopeful future for the first time in his life, Harry finds that not all the danger has disappeared from the magical world. Although this first volume is a relatively short novel, it marks the beginning of a huge-scale cycle of fantasy, adventure and discovery. If any newcomers to the series are wondering whether they should go for the Potter books or the Potter movies, the answer is simple: go for both. The two enhance each other greatly - the books, as good as they are on their own, are even better after seeing the movies, and the opposite holds true: if you see the movie first and then read the book, you'll likely enjoy the movie even more the second time around. You get huge insight into not only the characters but into the overall magical world, and a host of small but enriching details that didn't make it into the films. A lot of the omissions are because the missing aspects are embedded right into the writing of the books themselves. Take, for example, this excerpt from early in the book, describing some of the reactions by Harry's uncle Vernon to some of his first encounters with the bizarre: "...He also thought he had been called a Muggle, whatever that was. He was rattled. He hurried to his car and set off home, hoping he was imagining things, which he had never hoped before, because he didn't approve of imagination." Perfect. And that kind of dry wit is throughout the book, and sometimes there just isn't an opportunity to transfer those specific moments to film. Likewise, the movies have enriched the books, in large part by the perfect cast which have truly made the roles their own. On re-reading this first volume, for example, if it's a scene between Harry, Ron and Hermione, I see and hear the characters as they look and sound played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Not just those three, but the whole cast, and seeing and hearing the different expressions, mannerisms, and voices, livens up even the smallest scene. The books are whimsical and fun, but are as intricately plotted, rife with excellent characterization, and as long-lasting as anything outside of the 'Young Readers' section. In fact, if you're an adult reader, especially one who enjoys Fantasy (Tolkein, Robert Jordan, William Horwood, etc.) and related fields, but still avoids the Young Readers section of the bookstore, you're missing out on a good chunk of the best in the field. The Harry Potter books aren't really children's books, they're All Ages books. Because to call them children's books would imply that few people over twelve or so would likely enjoy them, and that's just not the case as has been evidenced by millions of much older readers around the world. They're as fit for a ninety year-old as a nine year-old. Some critics have charged that the Potter series is too dark and scary for younger readers. That's not a problem with the early entries, although those elements are present. The later entries - in both the books and movies - do get darker and scarier: one of the most interesting aspects of the series is that it advances at the same rate as the main characters and their experiences. When they're eleven, the style is one way, with things seen very much through children's eyes; when they're sixteen and seventeen the 'feel' of the books has changed greatly. But still kept the key points that drew you in in the first place. Almost like a diary written over many years, from childhood on up (but never losing that spark of childhood, just like a person doesn't have to lose it even if they live to be a hundred). If you're wondering if they're too scary to read to a five year-old for their bedtime story - no, not the first ones. The latter ones - eh, start them out on the first couple and see how that goes. If they're not old enough right now for the latter installments, they will be before too many years, and you can enjoy the first ones together right now. Kids aren't the simpletons some people think they are. For myself, the addition of darker materials later on isn't a bad thing, but the relative abscence of those elements in The Philosopher's Stone isn't a bad thing either. They're just different, and they had to be that way to make the cycle fully realized throughout its evolving stages. This one is a delightful tale chock-full of adventure, imagination and mystery, and it introduces most of the saga's most famous characters - the central trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione; Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, and so on. A truly must-read book.

I had been looking for these CDs for a long time (here in Italy you can't find them). The book is awesome and really well written and I couldn't wait to hear it narrated by the great voice of Jim Dale. Simply beautiful, this Anniversary Edition Audio Book is suitable for every age. The box contains 7 CDs, divided in two sets, all with colorful illustrations. Buy it, do not hesitate, you won't regret!

Harry Potter is an amazing fantasy series like no other. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone lets you enter this magical, exciting, funny and peculiar world - The wizarding world, that is! Harry Potter follows eleven year old Harry. His parents died in a car crash, leaving his horrible aunt and uncle to take care of them. Harry's aunt and uncle don't believe in magic, in fact they hate everyone who does, thinking its rubbish. So when strange and amazing things happen to Harry, they are even more enraged. Soon, mysterious letters arrive, from a magical school called Hogwarts. Join Harry as he experiences his first year at a school of magic, meeting amazing friends and making lifelong enemies, uncovering dangerous secrets, and experiencing adventure after adventure. This book is nothing near normal - but a mix of every exciting, fun, dangerous and amazing thing there is. This book will never leave your attention and you will never be able to put it down. Ready for an amazing book? Read Harry Potter, and enter the Wizarding World!

Always love the Harry Potter series. My gift was the beginning of her experience at HEARING it read by the amazing Mr. Dale. In my view, the books came to life in a much different way from reading it myself. A wonderful experience, that I'm glad to share. She got the item and loved it. thanks s

Purchased the audio book for my husband for christmas. He listened to it around the end of Jan.(doesnt care to read the book but will listen going back and forth to work but likes the movies) and was left lacking because it contained two of disc 5 and no disc 7(the ending). I have emailed Listening Library but they have never responed to my request to get the 7th disc. I am dissapointed with their customer service.

Reviews

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is awesome. This time Harry is blamed for turning kids into statues as if they were frozen. Why? Because he was at the crime scene when everybody saw it. Even a ghost got turned into a statue. I love how the author builds suspense and has a good begining, a good middle and a good ending. Hogwarts was going to be shut down if the attacks didn't stop. And my favorite part is when harry and another friend got a hundred points each for Gryffendor and when Harry's friend is unfrozen and all is saved. But the part I think is most cool is that Gryffendor wins the house cup two years running. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and aren't afraid of snakes.~malady

Always love the Harry Potter series. My gift is the beginning of my young friend's experience at HEARING it read by the amazing Mr. Dale. In my view, the books came to life in a much different way from reading it myself. A wonderful experience, that I'm glad to share. I believe that the item was received on time for her to open it during the holiday break. thanks s

Harry Potter is finally returning to Hogwarts after a long summer at home. But in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets it seems that his second year will have more danger than his first. To start he arrives at Hogwarts in a flying car that crashes into a tree and he and Ron are nearly killed. Things will not end there for this daring wizard. This time at school he will find and try to end the evil that lurks in the halls of Hogwarts. As more terrible events occur in Harry's world, he dives into each one. To the voices he hears in the halls, a late night adventure to the forest, and concocting a potion Harry, Ron, and Hermione come across the most adventure and jeopardy. Most importantly the chamber has been opened. But what is this secret that the school holds? They must find out. Always willing to take on the task these three create intriguing stories wherever they go. Despite that most of the intense action takes place on the final pages, one will want to read this sequel.

I received this very quickly and I am very satisfied with the quality of it. Happy overall!!

Harry and company are back for seconds--a second year at Hogwarts--and Rowling ratchets up the the mystery and action in this worthy followup. Having firmly established the characters in the first year (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)) of Hogwarts, Rowling plays off of them nicely. We get to meet the Weasley family at home and bask in their normalcy and loving relationships, and we find Harry Potter, hated at home but famous in wizardry, deflated in both settings with gentle good humor. Not so gentle is the story this time out. Rowling wisely credits her readers with the intelligence to remember and understand the fictional framework of the Hogwart's school calendar and characters so that she is able to use her storytelling time and talents to expand on the mystery and adventure. She scatters enough clues to keep the reader guessing correctly, but also places enough red herrings to keep the reader from solving correctly the secret of the chamber. The climactic confrontation and resolution kept me riveted and reading straight through the last 50 pages, which says much about Rowling's skillfulness at handling her story that she kept a reader much older and presumably more jaded than her intended audience so well entranced. In this second book, it becomes clear why Harry Potter has become such a cultural force, even before the movies and all their tie-iin merchandise became such a major advertising franchise. At the center is a great story--that leaves me looking forward to where year 3 will take us. I expect (given the presence and continued success of years 4 and beyond) that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) will not disappoint.