J.K. Rowling writes, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” She is the author and creator of Harry Potter, a children’s series of seven fantasy novels. The Harry Potter franchise has grown from just the books into eight films, as well as a theme park at Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure. Clearly, the Harry Potter series has made its mark all over the world.
Whether reading the books or watching the movies, fans can enter an entirely different place—a magical one. The world of Harry Potter is filled with wizards, witches, brooms, spells, quidditch and more! But beyond the magic of the wizarding world, Harry Potter is a coming of age story of Harry’s life as he learns of his own fame, makes friends and faces adversity.
When Harry was just a baby, the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort (also known as He Who Must Not Be Named) murdered Harry’s parents and attempted to kill Harry, too. But instead the curse didn’t work and Harry was left with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. The story of his survival spread throughout the wizarding world and Harry became a living legend known by everyone before he even knew it himself. At eleven he learned about his wizard life and went to school at Hogwarts where he met lifelong friends, good and bad professors and even enemies.
Harry’s best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger help him overcome obstacles as they grow up together, along with many other friends. Every character plays an important part in the series. One of the great things about this series is that as the characters grow, you grow with them. As you read or watch, you face the same problems they face, make the same friends and have all the same fun!
Harry Potter is about being brave enough to stand up for what you believe in and fight for what is right. The major fight against dark forces is versus Lord Voldemort, who wants to kill Harry and gain power over the wizarding world. Although He Who Must Not Be Named is a very powerful wizard, Harry never gives up. With guidance from Hogwarts Headmaster Professor Dumbledore and numerous other mentors, Harry heroically tries to defeat the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort. Although it’s hard to pick a favorite book and movie out of the whole series, I have a soft spot for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. So here’s an inspirational movie quote from Harry Potter himself, “Even though we got a fight ahead of us, we’ve got one thing that Voldemort doesn’t have. Something worth fighting for.”
As a huge fan of Harry Potter I can proudly write that “Harry Potter never ends!” a phrase frequently used by “Potterhead” fans. Although the last movie came out two years ago, Harry Potter lives on in the hearts of millions. Harry Potter is the perfect parallel world of wizards that fans can escape within. When you do decide to turn off the television or close the book you leave the wonderful wizarding world and return to the real world. The two worlds are so distant from each other and yet so connected, which makes the experience unique and unlike other magical places.
I fell in love with the story of Harry Potter through the books because they offer extra details that couldn’t possibly fit into all of the films. But I love the films, as well, because they bring the magic to the big screen by putting real faces to all of the characters and realistic places and props to the wizarding world. The books and movies alike are what bring the magic of Harry Potter to life. Plus it is awesome that Harry Potter is for everyone! Children and adults alike can escape into and enjoy this parallel place.
Even if you haven’t watched one of the movies in a while or have never seen them, even if you haven’t recently flipped through the pages of a Potter book, don’t worry. Let Luna Lovegood remind you, “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.”
If you have any favorite Harry Potter quotes, leave a comment below!
Photo Credits:
http://weheartit.com/entry/75547821
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/harry-potter/images/27156711/title/harry-ron-hermione-photo
http://whatanerdgirlsays.com/2013/09/01/happy-15th-anniversary-to-harry-potter-in-america/