Sunday 7 November 2010

Top 5: Harry Potter characters



Having just watched Half Blood Prince in preparation for the latest release in the series (keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming review), I decided that rather than review the film, I'd reveal the top 5 characters in the series, in my humble opinion.  Everyone loves a good countdown, right?
(NB. This is based on both the books and the films...)

5. Voldemort

He has the features of a cold-hearted snake.  He selfishly and ruthlessy murdered people to split his soul and maintain his own immortality.  In fact, he's so malevolent, people daren't speak his name.  That's pretty evil...

4. Remus Lupin

He's a freakin' werewolf.  'Nuff said.

3. Bellatrix Lestrange

I was never a huge fan of Bellatrix during the novels.  But thanks to the excellent portrayal by Helena Bonham-Carter, her evil borders on the psychotic and her devotion to the Dark Lord is almost fetishistic.  She even rivals Voldemort himself for the title of best villain.

2. Hermione Granger
  
Or Hermy-one as I affectionately named her, before the films revealed the correct pronunciation.  Looking at the three child protagonists, we have firstly Ron: a dim-witted pratt with no redeeming features, he's just a comedy act.  Second, there's Potter himself: our (supposed) central focus, who relies purely on luck to get by.  Then there's the much under-appreciated Hermione, who's main attribute is intelligence - finally something I can get behind.  She's clearly the brains behind the threesome.  On top of her natural aptitude for magic, she spends hours slogging away in the library, discovering solutions for Harry's problems, only for Potter to steal all the glory in the end.  What a bastard. 

1. Severus Snape

He may have started as the teacher we all love to hate, but through the series he grew into the most interesting and ambiguous character.  The latter part of the series is very much Snape's story, not Potter's.  He is the Anakin Skywalker of Hogwarts, burdened with forever balancing the opposing forces of good and evil.  And Alan Rickman purrs to perfection in this role.  He may be the Half-Blood Prince, but in my view he's king of the series.