Harry Potter and the Reel Opinion

It is December of 2001. The average price of gasoline is $1.47. Enron has just filed for bankruptcy, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks were less than four months ago.

In early December of 2001, SHREK and MONSTERS, INC. were the highest-grossing films of the year. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING had yet to be seen by anyone.

Let all that serve as some perspective towards the HARRY POTTER film franchise; for in that December of 2001, the very first movie was released. It was the launching of a massive effort and commitment by studios, actors, filmmakers, and moviegoers. It was the beginning of a TEN year journey that had never been seen before, and unlikely to ever be seen again.

Atmosphere and emotion are what kept the films afloat year after year, and a lot of that can be credited to the directors that have brought that POTTER universe to life. Chris Columbus introduced us to that universe through the eyes of a child in Parts 1 and 2; full of color, wonder, and discovery. In Part 3, Alfonso Cuaron built upon those foundations, while making a slight turn into darker territory; territory that Mike Newell would drive home with a powerful emotional punch in Part 4. David Yates then came on board and completely fucked up Parts 5 and 6, before finally unwrapping his ass from around his head to create a remarkable two-part finale.

Lineups of actors, carrying current and eventual royalty, brought the characters to life. Names like Harris, Smith, Rickman, Gleeson, Oldman and Gambon became more than just faces on the silver screen. They were real; and we cared about them.

And the names of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint will forever be attached to their wizardly characters. No matter what this talented trio does in their future careers, they will never shake Harry, Hermonie and Ron. Hell, even Ron Howard still can’t shake Richie.

The ending of the HARRY POTTER films is significant largely because it just may have ended an era in Hollywood; an era where thousands of people made a ten-year commitment to make these movies happen. In a new age where sequels are pushed for no reason other than to make money, it is hard to believe that these movies would have stopped if just one installment flopped. The level of commitment is nearly beyond what most people put towards a relationship or a marriage, but also reflects a love of the source material; a love that never let go.

What say you?