Hey! I've been following these Harry Potter updates for a long time now, and I thought, hey, I should do some talking soon!
I just wanted to note something about watching films, since I've seen both LOTR and HP quite a few times. I think it's often the case that people use external emotional forces to judge the quality of a film instead of the nuances of the film itself.
Granted, the first Lord of the Rings is a long film, but getting a good rest before can help. I personally think all three together are the most satisfying of trilogies, with one of the most emotionally satisfying endings.
I got a migraine watching the first and also refuse to watch the others
I remember thinking, I can't wait until this movie is over, if that is the case with a movie, I don't think I am enjoying it
As for the first Harry Potter, sure there's a bunch of obnoxious kids in it, but I don't think it's a likely cause for a migraine. I think if one can deal with Disneyland then this movie should be a walk in the park. Harry Potter starts off with two family films, but get more interesting as they go along. I'd say power through them without your preconceived notions and you'll see why they're so popular.
Movie's require awareness, and if your not fully attentive, or you are having crappy day, these emotions project themselves and trump the value of the movie itself. I know that if I watch the first half of a film one day, and the other the next, the slight lag between the two greatly affects my appreciation. This was the case when I watched
Dr. Strangelove for the first time, but even with films that I own (Like
Inception) which I usually enjoy I disliked watching in sections. Films are one continues story, and if something happens to detract from that then your not going to have a good time.
It's same way with Theme Parks, and why the exposed ride building for Forbidden Journey can be so obnoxious. Luckily the whole land is incredibly immersive, keeping one's eye on the other fantastic designs.