By Margie Anne Clark
The first installment of the two-part conclusion to the Harry Potter series finds the bespectacled wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) walking away from his last year at Hogwarts to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes to end Voldemort’s bid for immortality.
But with Harry’s beloved Dumbledore dead and Voldemort’s unscrupulous Death Eaters on the loose, the world is more dangerous than ever. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I will be releasing in the USA on 19th November, 2010. The $250 Million Dollar film will soon be followed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II to be released on 15th July, 2011.
But what makes this spectacular franchise so unique and enduring? In the mind of this reporter, Harry Potter is the ultimate hero to an entire generation of young muggles who literally grew up with the precocious orphaned wizard.
His amazing powers and struggles against the dark powers of Lord Voldemort have become an adventure the whole world has become engaged in.
What makes Harry Potter so special and such a worldwide phenomena is the way in which J.K. Rowling has brilliantly mixed magic and fantasy with the everyday struggles and angst that youth of today must face.
The story of Harry Potter is modern, yet timeless by means of transforming ordinary circumstances into extraordinary adventures.
In his struggle against good and evil, Harry Potter must face the world – mortal or otherwise – in all of its gritty glory, juxtaposed against the wonders of magic.
All the while facing his destiny, and mortal dangers that come with it – with a little help from his friends. And therein lies the real magic and the heart of Harry’s enduring appeal. The friendships that he forges, no matter what the odds, will always win out. And of course, Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal the title character is the key to the young wizard’s popularity in the movie version of the Harry Potter series.
The modest British actor is endearing, possessing a young Paul McCartney-esque appeal with the charm and British wit to match. And like the timeless appeal of the Beatles, the character Radcliffe has created in film will no doubt stand the test of time and go on to enthrall generations of young muggles to come.
The Harry Potter films represent movie-making at its finest. The stories are gripping and engaging, and the superb special effects are brilliantly orchestrated to render a story that captivates its audience, even as it leaves us wanting more. Harry Potter is truly a Renaissance man, whose story will live on forever.
Margie Anne Clark is a Los Angeles based writer. She can be reached at margie@losangeleslifeandstyle.com .