TheHarry Pottermovies inspired a common criticism of Harry’s character, but the upcoming HBO remake has a chance to set things right. It’s typical for a screen adaptation to make cuts and changes to the source, but the Wizarding World movies are especially known to have left out significant aspects of J.K. Rowling’s books. It’s precisely this reason that theHarry PotterTV remake is so valuable since there is more time to dive into every detail of the story. In the case of Harry’s character, this means portraying him in a more book-faithful way compared to the beloved films.
Harry Potter is the standard POV character of the books, so readers get to really dive into his head. Since theHarry Pottermovieswere missing out on Harry’s internal dialogue, his character didn’t come to the screen in quite the same way. Elements of his character, such as his clever cheek, bravery, and temper, were significantly watered down in Warner Bros films, so movie audiences didn’t really get to know his character in the same way. Still, perhapsthe most frustrating aspect of hischaracter theHarry Pottermovies cutwas his skill as a wizard.
The Harry Potter Movies Made Harry Seem Like An Untalented Wizard
Harry Hardly Did Magic At All In The Movies
Throughout theHarry Pottermovies, Harry hardly performed any magic. In fact,he didn’t cast a single spell throughout theentirety of theHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonemovie.Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretswas barely an improvement, and it wasn’t untilHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when Harry practiced the Patronus Charm, that there was any real indication that he had learned magic. By the events ofHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, it seemed that Harry was facing off with Voldemort with almost no magical preparation.
This has led to a common but unfair criticism of the titularHarry Pottercharacter. There have beenjokes about how the franchise hero was entirely lacking in talentand that any success he faced was pure luck. The fact that Harry demonstrates such minimal magical ability (aside from a mastery of Expecto Patronum and Expelliarmus) makes hisHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenixstory all the stranger since he is suddenly expected to teach defensive magic to his fellow students in Dumbledore’s Army. However, this all made a lot more sense in theHarry Potterbooks.
HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Can Further Explore Harry’s Defensive Magic Skills
Harry’s Expertise From The Books Must Be Brought To The Screen
Overall, Harry was an average student throughoutHarry Potter. He and Ron were about neck-in-neck in Potions, Transfiguration, and Herbology, but Defense Against the Dark Arts was a different story.Harry was a natural at defensive spellsand was frequently praised for his quick mastery of this type of magic. True, this didn’t have a chance to shine through untilHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabansince Harry’s previous two Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers were pretty horrible. However, under Remus Lupin’s leadership, Harry quickly excelled (at more than just the Patronus).
Harry isn’t supposed to be a wholly remarkable hero, but defensive magic is an area in which it’s essential that he excel.
This is something thatHBO’sHarry Potterremake absolutely must explore. Harry isn’t supposed to be a wholly remarkable hero, but defensive magic is an area in which it’s essential that he excel. In the end, when Harry continuously chooses to use Expelliarmus against his enemies rather than more advanced spells,theHarry PotterTV show must impress that this is a decision made out of Harry’s desire not to kill—not a lack of talent or skill. This will predominantly come down to a book-faithful recreation of theHarry Potterinstallment in which Harry learned the most defensive magic:Goblet of Fire.
Harry Potter Season 4 Is When Harry Must Learn The Most Magic In HBO’s Remake
The Triwizard Tournament Inspired Harry To Practice Independently
WhilePrisoner of Azkabanwas the first year Harry got a good defensive-magic education, he learned the most in theHarry Potter and the Goblet of Firebook. This had some to do with Mad-Eye Moody’s lessons, butthe Triwizard Tournament really led Harry to lean into his abilities. He knew that the other champions were more advanced than he was, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent endless hours practicing in empty classrooms, especially leading up to the third task. They worked their way through countless DADA books from the library, and Harry proved himself more adept than even Hermione during this time.
Harry Potterseason 4 would be expected to stream sometime around 2029 or 2030.
It’s because of this time together that Hermione considered Harry as a possibleteacher inHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She had seen firsthand that Harry had a natural talent for defensive magic, which continued to be a prominent factor for the rest of the series. During their O.W.L. examinations,the Defense Against the Dark Arts practitioners were blown away by Harry’s skill—but this was all entirely missing from theHarry Pottermovies. Cutting Harry’s talent was an injustice of the film series, so it’s imperative that theHarry Potterremake, especially seasons 4 and 5, correct this mistake.
Harry Potter
Cast
Harry Potter is HBO’s remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling’s popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did.
