bkev said:

Really, Gaff? It may be just a generation thing, but I've always found a lot of people preferred Columbus' take on the movies. At least for me, I know they feel more... magical. Less emphasis on dumb action movie trends - seriously, people, not even Harry Potter is safe from this stuff anymore! Although they were more liberal with what they cut than some, I felt they worked best as movies.

Feel free to disregard as irrational nostalgia.

I absolutely agree. When I saw the first movie, I was captivated by it. I wanted to go to Hogwarts because Columbus made it more magical. I think the direction has been good for the whole series because they are supposed to get darker. The fan base grows with the series, and it works. The only thing I have ever hated about the newer ones is the colour.