MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Why is Harry Potter so beloved ?

Why is Harry Potter so beloved ?

posted 3 months ago by ILJtheFirst (2104)
22 replies | jump to latest

I don't see where all the Harry Potter love comes from. The books were written for children, but mostly adults read them. I've seen all the movies only because a coworker recommended it. Why did it start so innocent and gradually get darker ? The prerequisite to kill is simply to want it ? Piece of cake. The only thing I truly enjoyed was the back story for the Cloak of Invisibility. The final battle was truly the lamest fight ever seen in Cinema. They were mostly dancing and avoided hurting each other.

Everyone just loves and adores Harry Potter but why ?

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77377) 3 months ago

I never read the novels but when my children were very young I showed them all the movies.

I prefer The Lord Of The Rings in terms of fantasy adventure but the Harry Potter movies were pretty good.

[–] Stratego (30497) 3 months ago

"Everyone just loves and adores Harry Potter"

I certainly don't.

[–] capuchin (3182) 3 months ago

Why did it start so innocent and gradually get darker ?

Because -- as you say, they're written for children* -- and each one is set within a particular school year. So Harry Potter and chums start off at age eleven and end up as, I dunno, 17 or 18 year olds, I suppose. The books are intended to grow up with their readership -- so the narratives get more complex and 'darker' with each instalment.

Why is Harry Potter so beloved ?

A lot of people grew up reading the books and/or watching the films. For many readers, they were the first books they really got into. I know a child who is currently the right age for reading Harry Potter and she loves it -- so it still works. And parents loved it because it got their kids reading. A minor miracle for some.

As for why adults who didn't grow up with Harry Potter love it? I dunno. Probably the same reason adults like Star Wars or the MCU. It's a bit of escapist fun. They enjoy that 'universe'.

* Or 'Young Adults' as the current marketing jargon deceptively labels it to make actual adult readers feel less silly.

[–] ILJtheFirst (2104) 3 months ago

That makes sense. You enjoy that which you grow up with. It's certainly very true.

[–] Skavau (15993) 3 months ago

Right place, right time. I don't think anything quite comparable existed when it was written.

[–] Kowalski (75523) 3 months ago

THE FIRST BOOKS WERE FOR CHILDREN...BY THE END THEY WERE FOR YOUNG ADULTS...THEY GREW WITH THE READER...AND THEY HAVE LASTING APPEAL...MAGIC AND GROWING UP.

[–] Zarkoff (1853) 3 months ago

I read the books and watched the movies. It had a lot of charm and the fantasy world was deep and full of invention.

It was a fun read. I'm not fanatical about it, though.

[–] moviechatterer (15583) 3 months ago

Much underrated British comic Stuart Lee on Harry Potter books

https://youtu.be/NMjrXRgu8IU

[–] ILJtheFirst (2104) 3 months ago

Thanks

[–] BuckleBilly (1114) 3 months ago

I don't care for Harry Potter. The books were okay to read. I didn't care for any of the movies after #2. It's odd seeing adults driving cars with Harry Potter, Marvel, ar Star Wars decals.

It's your car, do as you please. But, I look at those decals with as much disdain as I do political bumper stickers. Rather than "vote for my dude," it says, "Don't expect me to improve upon my life. I like children's movies."

[–] capuchin (3182) 3 months ago

"Don't expect me to improve upon my life. I like children's movies."

I think that's harsh.

CS Lewis:

“When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

[–] stevewyzard (1583) 3 months ago

^^^This says it all!!!^^^

[–] BuckleBilly (1114) 3 months ago

When lewis said this, adults didn't waste thousands of dollars on toys, games, and products for their own collection.

It's one thing for a writer to enjoy a fairy tale. It's another for adults to behave like young teenagers.

[–] BuckleBilly (1114) 3 months ago

That's how I see it. You don't have to agree.

[–] [deleted] 3 months ago

our society has become very infantil, theres a clear relation between 40 year old men watching and reading this nonsense and a society where people demand a bigger government involvement in their lives, for the state to act like their parents.

also the make believe social issues, where we have to deny reality.

a lot of people haven't become adults, they watch this nonsense because they still want to be children.

[–] Bloodshot77 (13762) 3 months ago

R.I.P. BigMike hardly knew you.

Signed, million man.