***SPOILER ALERT*** The second half of this article contains Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 spoilers. You have been warned, so no complaining in the comments, nerds.
Hollywood loves a franchise. Especially one that has a built-in audience chomping at the bit to see their favorite book or comic characters come to life on the big screen. Hopefully, the initial installment of the film franchise inspires a whole new legion of devoted fans. A tween catches their first glimpse of Edward brooding at the local AMC, then goes home and furiously reads the Twilight books cover-to-cover, anxiously waiting for the fourth movie to premiere so they can see if Bella and Edward’s wedding is everything they imagined. A comic novice sees Batman Begins and before long, is debating Frank Miller vs. Dennis O’Neill on the message boards with the best of them. These Super Fans know exactly how the characters should react to any given situation. They know the nuances to each character’s back story and all the unspoken motivations that the director has chosen to condense or leave out of the movie version.
But what happens when you aren’t a fanboy or fangirl? Maybe the third installment is out, and you’re still not sure what exactly the Matrix is. Or it’s been over a decade since you watched an X-Men movie, and no, you’ve never read one of the comics, so you can’t comment on whether they got Storm’s origin story totally wrong. But now your friend wants to see X-Men: First Class with you. Can you still have fun watching one of these movies on the big screen?
Yes! The key to watching a franchise film as a casual viewer is sitting back and enjoying the ride. Give up your need for total control. Accept that you won’t understand at least 50% of what’s going on. I mean, really, do you understand the motivations behind your friends’ actions half the time? And most of them don’t even have super powers.
So go see the last installment of Harry Potter even if you’re not a Super Fan. If you haven’t read the books or only saw 3 of the last 7 movies. It’s a good time. Just keep in mind that your viewing experience will include thoughts like these…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 from the Casual Viewer’s Perspective (Here come the spoilers!):
Hermione looks like Helena Bonham Carter there. Oh, it is Helena Bonham Carter. Maybe I should put on my glasses? But they’re all the way in my purse.
I’m just gonna assume Harry pulled that sword from a stone in the last movie.
Dobby died?!?!
So that Dumbledore guy’s kinda a dick, huh?
So that Snape guy’s kinda a dick, huh?
Voldemort just pulled a classic James Bond Villain/Dr. Evil move – He assumed his giant snake will take care of his nemesis and bounced before actually watching him die, thus giving Snape the chance to gift Harry with some Magic Tears.
Is Snape never crying a “thing”? Are all his tears magic?
If the person who kills Snape gets control of the Big Important Wand, and Harry gets there before Snape is officially dead, why doesn’t Harry just kill Snape himself and get the wand? Snape seems like he’d be on board with it.
(Harry mentions Tom Riddle.) Hey, I saw the one with that Tom Riddle guy. He was hot. I think he turned out to be Voldemort? So kinda a dick.
The much-talked-about Ron/Hermione kissing scene! Remember when Rupert Grint went on Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson asked him if during the scene, Rupert was “nursing a semi“? (around 1:50)
King’s Cross Station? Really laying Jesus metaphor on pretty thick here.
Voldemort makes another classic Bond Villain mistake – sending someone else to make sure Harry’s dead. Why does he pick that chick? Does she have special talking-to-the-dead powers? Is Harry alive or dead? Maybe he’s really dead, but she uses her Power to ask him questions and get his spirit to shake his corporeal head from beyond.
Ah, he’s alive. Hrm.
What exactly is Voldemort trying to accomplish anyways? If he kills Harry, does he take over the world? Or just become principal of Hogwarts?
Moral of the story: Everyone’s kinda a dick. Everyone’s kinda a hero.
That was my recent Harry Potter experience, anyways. Can you still enjoy a movie even if you aren’t familiar with the franchise it’s part of? Or does it ruin your experience?
