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Samuel Hoelker: I grew up with the books and read each one multiple times in lieu of reading other literature. I even read Goblet of Fire millions of times, despite me not liking it as much when it came out. It's been a while since I've read the series straight through, but I constantly struggle with the actual quality of the books vs. the rose-colored glasses through which I view them. I treat them like a little brother - I'll make fun of Rowling's writing, awful character motivations, etc. as much as I want, but I'll attack anyone who dares speak ill of the series.

Outside of the first two, I've not seen any of the films since their theatrical releases. I've found all of them to be perfectly cromulent yet unremarkable and unfortunately forgettable. I don't know if it's because I'm not a diehard Potter fan, if my expectations are too high, or if they're simply average movies. I think it would be hard for someone who comes in blind to be enraptured with the franchise and be content with the films, and I feel like that should be their goal. Then again, the films do have a magical lure, whether it be from my childhood, my want to be part of a cultural zeitgeist, or my wish to be a wizard. For me, the films work on a whole, not individually (almost opposite of the books for me).

I think it's too early to tell Potter's place in cinema history. We'll have to see if the youths of the future, who will be less and less likely to have read the series, are as enraptured by it as we were. I think it depends on how much Potter stays in the pop culture in general. J.K. Rowling has the chance to keep Harry Potter as, well, the biggest thing in the world in the next few years. If the cards are played right, it may even be the biggest thing throughout our entire lives.

Jason Lee: Mark my words, this franchise will be a cultural touchstone for a generation. The combined power of the seven books and eight movies will make sure that the tale of Harry Potter will live on for years and years to come. I'm willing to bet that 25 years from now, a good number of people will still recognize reference to Wingardium Leviosa. As for the movies and books, I'd say that the best three books were Deathly Hallows (amazing wrap up to an amazing journey), Goblet of Fire (fantastic year-long integration of the Triwizard Cup arc into the story) and Half-Blood Prince (riveting back-story on Voldemort/Tom Riddle), in that order. The best movies, IMO, were Goblet of Fire (strongest story, strongest adaptation), Order of the Phoenix (best acting performances in the franchise) and Chamber of Secrets (most satisfying as a stand-alone picture), again in that order.

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