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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand the appeal of Harry Potter...?!

232 replies

Scaramoose · 17/07/2018 21:08

This is lighthearted btw...

I am off to Florida with DH and DS (6) in a few weeks and we have watched the first Harry Potter film and also been looking at the Harry Potter stuff at Universal.

The film bored me to absolute tears. The characters seemed two dimensional and wooden, the story dragged and the names for things, eg Muggles, just irritated. I shared this view with my sister who couldn't believe I didn't like it as she thinks it is 'absolutely brilliant' and 'incredibly clever.'

DS will love it, as he did love most of the film (I say 'most' as it's so long) and I wouldn't want him to know what I really think but I really, honesty, don't get it! The pretend platform at Kings Cross and the queue outside the HP shop in York also flummoxed me as it's obviously such a big deal for so many people! Im amazed something that seems so dull has done so incredibly well (and from what I have heard about JK Rowling she is very level headed about it, which is lovely.)

Am I the only one...?!!

OP posts:
Imhertwopennyprince · 17/07/2018 21:09

I completely agree with your whole post.
Bores me to tears

motortroll · 17/07/2018 21:10

Yabu not to read the books rather than watch the films. The films are not a patch on the books.

speakout · 17/07/2018 21:10

You know it is a kid's movie right?

damaged · 17/07/2018 21:11

It is the books which are very good. The films also get better - the first ones are a bit wooden, but the last few are totally different.

I never understood the appeal either, but then read almost all the books to my kids, and we were all hooked. We then watched all the films - after which we went to Harry Potter world. That’s the sequence I recommend Grin.

Flyingpompom · 17/07/2018 21:11

The books are truly wonderful. The films are mediocre, in fact some of them, imo, don't make sense if you haven't read the books. They get better as the series progresses- both books and films.

MyWaterButtIsEmpty · 17/07/2018 21:11

The films aren't a patch on the books. But anyway if you don't enjoy something, nobody can make you enjoy it. Like, I don't get watching golf, or live motor racing, would rather stick pins in my eyes. But different strokes for different folks.

dun1urkin · 17/07/2018 21:11

The films are only ok, they get better as you go along.
The books are super. That’s why people go mad for it all, they have read the books.

WeeBeasties · 17/07/2018 21:12

The films are shit.

Read the books with your kids before they get too old.

3dogsandcounting · 17/07/2018 21:13

You need to read the books or better still listen to the audio books read by Stephen Fry. The HP rides at Universal are fantastic and definitely worth going on.

Bambamber · 17/07/2018 21:13

YANBU I think I got up to about halfway through book 6 and lost interest

Keepithidden · 17/07/2018 21:14

It's a cross between Enid Blyton and J R Tolkien, how could it not be brilliant!

Kudos to Rowling though, she done good.

Lazypuppy · 17/07/2018 21:14

The books are brilliant!! So YABU to watch the films before reading the books where they came from.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 17/07/2018 21:16

I'm not a Harry Potter fan, but I can convince people that I am because I have to listen to DD.

ProudThrilledHappy · 17/07/2018 21:16

YABU to judge the series on the films, especially the first in which relatively inexperienced child actors are suddenly performing leading roles in a blockbuster film production Grin they were bound to be wooden and terrible

The books are engrossing and magical Smile

IceRebel · 17/07/2018 21:16

You mention the film. The magic in Harry Potter is in the books, the films don't do it justice. The way small things from book one become crucial later on in the series, it's cleverly done and was released at a time when there wasn't much else like it out there.

I'm sure you're not the only one who dislikes it, but the world would be a boring place if we all liked / disliked the same things. However, I would suggest reading the books, and getting beyond the first one as it's not meant to be a stand alone book.

TeenTimesTwo · 17/07/2018 21:16

YABU.
You need to reads the books before you watch the films. Then you forgive some of the acting as you watch the world come to life.
Both my DDs were only allowed to watch the films when they had read the books. Later films don't make so much sense without the books as background either as they have to leave details out.

Ploppymoodypants · 17/07/2018 21:17

Yep get past the first quarter of the first book (I.e. wait until he gets to school) and then you will be hooked. They are utterly brilliant and the books just get better and better. They grow with a Harry. So for example the first book is aimed at 11 years old and reads like it. By the time Harry is in 6th form the books are dark and complex and fitting for a nearly adult audience if that makes sense.

The first 2 films are not good. But they improve steadily from then on.

But judging Harry Potter on the films is not fair. It is first and foremost a book and JK Rowling intended it to be read not watched.

As I am sure you can tell I am a huge Harry Potter fan. So many life lessons in the book and complex positive role models.

But I do agree with you, had I only ever watched the first 2 films I would have thought it all rather over rated.

BigPinkBall · 17/07/2018 21:17

I completely agree, the only thing duller than Harry Potter are Harry Potter fans.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 17/07/2018 21:19

We had a rule that you could only watch the film once you have read the books. The films are ok if you have read the books. Having said that it depends on what you enjoy. Our house is a fantasy Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, mystery and suspense type of house, no interest in teen romances, animal books etc. I would agree though that you need to read a book or listen to one before you cast your vote, don't just base it on the films.

Original poster
Scaramoose · 17/07/2018 21:21

Aha! Normally I don't like to watch the film of something when I have read the book, and was only watching the HP first film as it was a bit of 'prepping' for Florida.

I am not convinced I will grow to like it, but I did think I would be able to see why so many others, kids and adults alike, do

OP posts:
ThePinkOcelot · 17/07/2018 21:21

YADNBU! I don’t get it either. I’ve only seen 1 film and I was bored rigid!

Ploppymoodypants · 17/07/2018 21:21

Mind you I went to the Warner brothers studio in Watford and they have a massive scale model of hogwarts castle and grounds at the end and I was suprised to find myself tearing up with emotion (it’s beautifully done with lighting and music etc), and I felt a right numpty, until I looked round and there were loads of other people sniffling along with me 😁

Poodletip · 17/07/2018 21:23

It is aimed at children though as you go through the series the age of the target audience goes up with the characters so you may find the later ones more interesting. My just turned 7yo absolutely loves the books and the films, they've really gripped him. My eldest did too at a similar age. My middle one was a bit later into them, I think he was about 9 when he got into it, but all three have loved it. I enjoyed them too as children's books go. I think for some people they grew up with them as they came out and the films were released so they probably are held more dear to those people.

Original poster
Scaramoose · 17/07/2018 21:23

I also watched the HP film when we were in the throes of watching Stranger Things (yes, a bit late to that party too!) The child actors in that are comparatively brilliant and, normally, I wouldn't that thought it be something I enjoyed so much. I've never seen Game of Thrones, for example, or Lord of the Rings

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 17/07/2018 21:23

YABU. If you haven’t read the books your opinion is invalid and irrelevant.