Please understand that this is more of a personal list and many people may disagree with our choices, and also that the last film is included, so if you haven't seen it yet I would avoid this until you have.
Breaking it down because it's going to be hugely long and take me forever, starting with 50-41.
(N.B. these are just the moments in the film series, and not the books. It would probably be a completely different story if we were bringing the books in...
Also, usual spoiler warning applies, though again, if you haven't seen these films yet, I don't want you on my blog. Find a better way to spend your time and go watch the films.)
So, without further ado, the list begins...
50. "Turn to page 394." - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Situation: You know, the time where Snape covers Lupin's Defence Against the Dark Arts class and says that amazing line, multiple times.
Why we love it: It has to be the amazing way Alan Rickman delivers it, in that delicious drawl only he can pull off. It remains one of his most quoted phrases, and with good reason! Plus, it's Snape doing what he does best and intimidating everyone around him.
49. The Slug Club dinner - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Situation: An often overlooked scene for comedy in which Slughorn hosts a dinner for his "Slug Club", attended by Harry and Hermione among others.
Why we love it: It's a scene of creepy interaction, as Cormac is incredibly rapey (added humour with the fact that he is sitting right next to an oblivious Slughorn), and then Ginny enters, and Harry has a super-awkward moment as he stands up when Ginny walks in. Cute, if not for the fact that she's crying after fighting with her boyfriend and he is not being subtle, displaying his obvious love for her (*coughMummyIssuescough*) in front of a room full of people. It's an unsung moment of brilliance in what is arguably the funniest film in the franchise.
The Situation: Our three heroes have infiltrated the Ministry of Magic using Polyjuice Potion, and Ron, currently looking identical to Dave Coaches from Gavin and Stacey, is now worried about the wife of the guy he is posing as. And he gets a little confused...
Why we love it: It's a tiny moment which provides some rare and much needed relief from the tension. Ron has to be reminded that he's not a middle-aged man and is not actually married, though his concern for this woman he's never met is quite sweet. It's another display of comedy acting, and is loved so much that it has it's own Facebook group. One of the best moments from DH1 for sure.
47. Voldemort takes Lucius' wand - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1
The Situation: It's the beginning of the film, in which Voldemort and the Death Eaters have gathered at Malfoy Manor and are plotting the downfall of Harry Potter (again), and Voldemort casually kills a Hogwarts teacher and lets his snake eat her corpse after basically emasculating Lucius as punishment by taking his wand.
Why we love it: Jason Isaacs plays Lucius brilliantly, and we see the downfall he has had throughout the films - he looks ragged and unkempt, and his confidence is clearly shaken - he looks far cry from the composed and arrogant man we know from previous films. His delivery of lines is excellent, and the way Ralph Fiennes' Voldemort asserts himself over him is wonderful. It's truly sinister. The scene shows how quickly powerful wizards can fall from grace, as well as setting up a theme of the importance of a wizard's wand to him.
The Situation: Ron has eaten a box of chocolates left by Romilda Vane, a stalkerish admirer of Harry, which has been laced with Love Potion. Ron goes incredibly dopey ("It's beautiful isn't it, the moon..."), irrationally claiming his love for someone he has never met, hitting Harry with the empty box and hugging Slughorn, saying "Hello, darling. Fancy a drink?" Hilarious stuff.
Why we love it: Because who can watch this scene and not crack up every single time they see it? Another of the many comedy moments of the sixth film, performed excellently, as ever, by the wonderful Rupert Grint. It's also a nice chance to see the more playful side of Harry and Ron and their interactions, which is always a joy. Of course, in typical Harry Potter style, the situation then takes a turn for the worse when Ron is really poisoned and starts convulsing and stops breathing. These guys just can't catch a break...
45. Aunt Marge Blows Up - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Situation: Early on in the third film, we watch as the hideous Aunt Marge taunts Harry constantly, criticising his dead parents until he loses it and blows her up like a repulsive balloon until she floats away across Surrey.
Why we love it: It's sad really that this is the last time the Dursleys play a major part in the films (Order of the Phoenix aside); they are appallingly underused. There are a couple of funny bits in the build up to the spectacular inflation, where Harry, smirking, claims that he gets beaten loads of times at "St Brutus'", until Aunt Marge takes it too far and she swells like a balloon. Dudley doesn't even notice until he gets whacked in the face by one of her buttons which pops off, and even then the events can only momentarily hold his attention until he goes back to watching something that looks suspiciously like Strictly Come Dancing... To be honest, the hideous Aunt Marge deserves what she gets: she seems like she would be good friends with Dolores Umbridge, and she feeds her dog brandy. Just desserts are served.
The Situation: Clearly coming alone to the Yule Ball, there is a brief moment among the festivities and many other couples dancing in the opening of the Ball where we see Filch dancing with his cat. Bless.
Why we love it: It may only last for a couple of seconds maximum, but still makes us laugh for minutes afterwards. Filch is another severely underused character, and this is one of the moments he can shine.
The Situation: Having turned 17, the legal age wizards can do magic outside of Hogwarts, Fred and George apparate everywhere. This particular occasion, they pop up right behind their mother, scaring the living daylights out of her, and prompting this wonderful line.
Why we love it: Because of the innuendo really, and the fact it's Fred and George, the two greatest Harry Potter characters there are.
42. Quidditch Tryouts - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Situation: Harry, newly-appointed Quidditch captain of Gryffindor, holds tryouts before the season starts to build a team. It does not go well.
Why we love it: Cormac McLaggen is given one of many opportunities to be a complete arse, asserting his dominance over Ron and making eyes at Hermione, who then takes him down a peg or two by cursing him and making him fluff up his tryout for the team, making way for Ron to show his skill and get the place of Keeper. It's incredibly satisfying.
41. The Fat Lady Sings - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Situation: It's their first night back at Hogwarts after the summer and the students want to get into the common room, but are hindered by the Fat Lady's quest to break a glass with her voice.
Why we love it: It's basically Dawn French being amazing. It's a shame she was never used from the beginning and that we don't see her again after this film, but this scene not only brings a bit of humour to the film before the drama kicks in, but also reminds the audience of the daily goings-on at Hogwarts, since people seem to forget about the little things such as the talking portraits. Not to mention the fact that she calls the boys "plebs" for not appreciating her "talent".
I was wondering why the Ton-Tongue Toffee wasn't in the list (I was a twit and read your list backwards)!
ReplyDeleteBut I love this, and your dedication to film and all things Potter.
And also, I would have included that Aberforth/Dean/Seamus moment in DH2, becuase it's the ONLY film evidence we have of them being best friends (note how they're both sitting down so we don't notice their height difference...)
and McLaggen's finger-licking moment!!! I was hoping you'd have a gif, but I shall find one ;)
now off to read Lucy's lists...
(this is Garen btw, I keep forgetting to leave a name)