Rediscovering Harry Potter

So I have a confession to make.

I used to be really into Harry Potter but lost interest in it between the 5th and 6th books. I hadn't ever looked back.

Except! Though she didn't say it my mother seemed to really want to go see the double feature (part 1 and 2) of the Deathly Hallows at the midnight showing, and I knew that she would only go if somebody went with her. I wanted to make her happy so I said that I'd go with her if she decided to go. She did.

So...I hadn't seen a Harry Potter movie since the 3rd one (my HP favorite book). I had some catching up to do. So I borrowed my roommates DVD's of the movies and watched them. As I watched them I started to really get into the story again. Also may have developed a girl crush on Emma Watson. Since I've never read the 6th or 7th book, I was excited to watch both movie versions. The Half Blood Prince movie disappointed me. I felt like they missed some interesting nuance that may or may not have been in the book. And the Ginny/Harry romance seemed forced, unlike in the books where I saw it coming. I don't think the actors had all that much chemistry. Maybe I'll read the book.

So I went to the double feature, midnight showing and absolutely loved part 1 of Deathly Hallows. My favorite characters have always been Ron and Neville. And Ron's inferiority complex, but strength of character has always made me love him. That movie hit my "I <3 Ron" button like whoa. The prejudice, the world weary trio surviving. Mmm yes. And the landscapes! Dear God, that landscapes were gorgeous. Props to the director of photography.

*Spoilers for Deathly Hallows part 2 movie*

Then there was part 2 which poked at my "I <3 Neville" button when he makes that speech. He's such a joke, everyone laughing at him 'till the end (the audience included), but he's so wonderful despite it. Neville as I love him.

The movie was in 3D and they had special Harry Potter 3D glasses for the event. They were the most comfortable 3D glasses that I've ever gotten. I kept them.

Fred dieing was what I wanted it to be. I heard that in the book it was only mentioned, but I knew that the movie couldn't skip by it. Oh man, when George called him Freddy and when he hugged Ron when he came back. I nearly lost it.

Remus and Tonks lying dead was terribly romantic and I imagined them as warrior lovers battling together to the death. Beautiful.

Snape's memory was adequately confusing. But of course Snape is made of amazing.

I love Helena Bonham Carter as Belatrix (she was brilliant wasn't she) and it was wonderful to see Mrs. Weasley kicking ass.

It was entirely beautiful to watch. Great cinematography and animation. The epilogue wasn't my favorite, but it was a nice juxtaposition of the final shot of the trio after the final battle and the ending shot of them sending their children off to Hogwarts.

*End Spoilers*

And seriously, I watched some behind the scenes stuff on the Half Blood Prince DVD and both the Neville and Ron actors are ridiculously charming, well adjusted dudes. I bet their married. Just my luck. :P Kidding.

At the end of the movie I was surprised when I felt emotional about the movies ending. But it felt like the end of the Harry Potter series. It was a goodbye, and I'm terrible at goodbyes. It was only in a weeks time that I had fallen back in love with Harry Potter.

Goodbye Harry Potter Series. I remember when we were both a lot younger, but we've grown up since then. You now a successful franchise instead of the budding book series that got children reading again, me now an adult in her final semester of college instead of the bookworm child that I was. I'll come visit every once in a while, but it will never be the same again. In the future I will be glad that things were never the same again. I look forward to your remake in 20-30 years. I'll keep my ears open to you tune. Best. Karena Wells.

And watching the end of the film, the theme music that's always undoes my apathy toward Harry Potter the same as the smell of a Harry Potter book has always done, it felt satisfying like the end of a Star Wars movie and dreadfully permanent like a graduation. A moment made forever iconic. I'm greatful that I didn't miss it. Thanks Mom. :)