Help with Harry Potter

[jakezmom]

movie. We will be going to Universal/IOA soon and I want to do the Harry Potter section. My 9 year old son does not like Harry Potter at all and wouldn't sit through one of the movies that came on tv two years ago. Now that he is older, I want to give a Harry Potter movie another try so he will have an idea about the theming etc when we go.

What movie should I have him see before we go to IOA? My husband and I never saw any of the movies or read the books but we would like to see the "best" Harry Potter movie.

All opinions would be greatly appreciated!!! If you could only choose one, what HP movie do you recommend we watch?

THANKS!!!

 

[Albytaps]

Definately watch the first one. It's a saga, you must start at the beginning.

 

[inkkognito]

It seems to be most strongly based around the movie with Buckbeak (Prisoner of Azkaban? Not all that up on my Potter), particularly the ride.

 

[Bradsdadg]

I would say go with the first one. That might not be geared with most of the theming or rides as Ink mentioned but it was the best movie IMO. Good luck convincing him!

 

[toonaspie]

I dont think it will be a big deal if he's never seen the movies in order to enjoy WWOHP. I think he will get the basic idea that this all takes place in alternate world of magic and everything is wizard fantasy.

But I agree with the other posters, if you want a true introductin to Harry Potter's world you should start at the beginning. Although do not that Hogsmeade does not appear until the third film.

So I would watch at least films 1-3. They're my favorites in the bunch anyway.

Fun fact: last I heard JK Rowling said her favorite film so far was the third one (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

 

[mjohnson96]

Even if he ends up not sitting through the whole movie I would still think he can't help but have fun at WWOHP. I would at least start with the first movie and if he can sit through it then try the third since then he will see allot of what the park is based off of in it.

 

[yeslek]

I'd start with the first. It's more "kid friendly" as they only get scarier as the movies/books go on. As far as which movies are shown more in the park, I'd say it's fairly spread out. The Dragon Challenge is 4th movie, FoTH is 3rd book, FJ has elements from almost every movie. But if you really wanna give him a look at what the literal "wizarding world" is about I'd say the first is good, again. It gives a good look at Hogworts, the train, Olivander's, etc. Not to mention, if he likes the first movie, you're already going in chronological order!

 

[petals]

yeah my nieces will watch the first one but don't like the second movie of spiders etc so try the first one