The prank succeeded: a review of the documentary "Harry Potter 20 Years Later: Return to Hogwarts"
Hogwarts alumni meeting: snowy and tender, touching, funny and, of course, magical.
The doors of Hogwarts have reopened, isn't this a Christmas miracle? On January 1, 2022, many pairs of eyes around the world are glued to large, small and medium-sized screens to return at least a couple of hours to where everyone was once happy, and the grass is greener, the trees are higher, an almost headless Nick passed through the dining table and the Weasley brothers sabotaged the exams. Such a rejuvenation potion or a few turns of the flywheel of time is exactly what you want to start the year, which for many ended with the traditional holiday marathon: again, Harry won and survived.
Chapter 1. Harry Potter and Return to Hogwarts
Let's start with the Muggle titles and markings: after all, "Harry Potter 20 Years Later" is not a special talk show episode or a Zoom reunion, but a documentary. The reason to get together was the round date of the "Philosopher's Stone": in 2021, the first film about a boy who survived turned 20 years old. Nevertheless, the nostalgic action is not limited to the first two films, but moves along the chronology of growing up and covers the entire cinematic cycle of the Potteriana. The footage of the chronicle revives the brightest moments from the filming, and then turns to the quivering faces of matured graduates. The cast came out impressive, but not ultimately: the great Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, David Thewlis, Julie Waters and many others did not participate in the project (Dursleams, of course, are located on Privet Drive, not in Hogwarts). But this can hardly spoil the genuine magic of the unity of all those who created these (un) ordinary wonders.
One of the most reverent moments of the entire "Return" was the farewell to the departed: Alan Rickman, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt and other wizards of cinema. It is stupid and, in general, impossible to retell other people's feelings, the artists themselves barely found the words to express the loss: personal for everyone and common for everyone.
Another person who was not at the party was J.K. Rowling. The writer is waging a complete unnecessary war on Twitter and therefore was not invited to the ball. But the creators managed not to build concrete scenes of alienation or pretend that the woman who built Hogwarts never existed. Fragments with JK, included in the film, are taken from the recording of the 2019 interview, and the students of the school of witchcraft every now and then thank Roh's mother. In the current circumstances, this is a compromise, but still a sensible solution to a difficult situation.
Chapter 2. Harry Potter and the Hallows of life
Perhaps the most important and perhaps the only thing worth writing and talking about after watching "Return to Hogwarts" is the genuine joy of all those who gathered in one frame and uttered not empty remarks about kinship and family. For almost two hours, everyone has a chance to touch this sincere happiness of meeting and the real magic of love, to which so many words are dedicated in the book.
The family tree sprouted not least thanks to the director of "The Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets" Chris Columbus. He became both a director and a father for all the children, and the main dreamer on the set. Looking back, the artists unanimously confessed their love to the first years at the school of magic. Columbus himself called the "Philosopher's Stone" a kind of invitation to Hogwarts: the doors opened for the first time and forever.
Hardly any Potter fans with many years of experience will be able to find something new for themselves in the reunion: all the films about the films have long been learned, the interviews have been read and the video of the first samples of Emma, Rupert and Daniel has been watched a thousand times. But, that 20 years ago, that today the same chemistry flashes between the “golden trio”, and this is real witchcraft: one day choose the right Harry, Ron and Hermione. Despite the fact that nostalgic warmth spreads inside when looking at everyone together and each separately (Helena Bonham Carter is great! How good Neville is! Gary Oldman jokes the best!), It is the Gryffindors who finally disarm even the skeptical guests of Hogwarts.
"Return" is still not ideal: closer to the second half the action storms and it seems in places overly drawn out, once memories wander in a nostalgic circle, but this does not prevent the film from being the most successful meeting of graduates. There were a thousand and one reunions over the past two years, but some of them were covered with dust, some were remembered by the frank awkwardness of the participants who had nothing to say to each other. "Return to Hogwarts" happened absolutely out of love. And perhaps precisely because these people never really parted. Even if they do not gather every year at Christmas in a large hall for dinner, they participate in some charitable projects, promotional companies and other events tightly tied to the magical world. In the 10 years that have passed since the filming of Deathly Hallows (these shots will also break your heart, be careful), the students and teachers of Hogwarts have not managed to become strangers either to each other or to you and me.
Chapter 3. Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Order
And this is, in general, an important didactic goal of this meeting: many (including us) grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione, looked up to them, argued with their decisions somewhere, fell in love in sync and repaired the first broken heart with pages of books Rowling. It is gratifying to see that all the heroes of our childhood and youth have matured and become good and worthy people. Daniel Radcliffe overcame all his pernicious addictions and breaks away in independent cinema, Rupert Grint became the first of the trio to become a father (this is especially evident from lack of sleep), and Emma Watson has completely turned into an icon of the generation, including thanks to activism.
Surprisingly, in this glossy and ceremonial event, there was still a drop of bitterness and naked sincerity: Rupert, Dan and Emma admitted that at some point they lost themselves and became Harry, Ron and Hermione and off the set. They did not respond to their names on the streets and at events, had difficulty adapting to schools and universities, and were deprived of their typical childhood. But despite all these difficulties, it was love, care, care and, of course, friendship that helped them cope with the crisis.
Today, it is customary to criticize Rowling's series of books for conservatism, blue blood and other British archaisms that have become the foundation of history. Perhaps some controversial aspects and the truth are better seen at a great distance, nevertheless, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling and Chris Columbus have become educators for so many people around the world. Having matured and graduated from school, like Harry, we ceased to be "the chosen one" (as every child thinks of themselves) and turned into ordinary people at jobs in ministries, cozy shops and newspapers like "The Daily Prophet". But we all need a couple of days a year to return to Hogwarts and rejoice without looking back that we have not stopped believing in magic.
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