The Harry Potter Reboot: Channeling Its HBO Budget to Rectify a Singular Film Imperfection

Article Overview

HBO's Harry Potter reboot has the opportunity to fix a major flaw from the original movies by incorporating more intense and visually impactful battle scenes from the books.

The reboot's television format provides extended runtime, enabling the inclusion of book details and stories that were omitted in the original movies. HBO's ample budget equips the reboot with the potential to offer superior action sequences by leveraging CGI advancements and hiring top-notch fight choreographers and set designers.

Given that HBO is producing the Harry Potter reboot, the series has the opportunity to address a major flaw from the original movies. J.K. Rowling's seven Harry Potter books have spawned numerous spinoffs, movies, plays, video games, and even theme parks over the years. However, among all of these adaptations, the original movies have played a vital role in not only popularizing the franchise but also setting a high standard for potential future adaptations. As a result, HBO's Harry Potter reboot show carries the weighty responsibility of either matching or surpassing the quality of the movies.

While only time will reveal how the reboot will ultimately compare to the original Harry Potter movies, it already possesses several advantages. For example, being in a television format allows for a longer duration, enabling the inclusion of more book details and stories that the Harry Potter movies chose to omit. Additionally, the Harry Potter reboot series can also utilize HBO's budget to address a significant issue that was present in nearly all of the original Harry Potter films.

The Harry Potter Movies Toned Down The Book's Battles

The Harry Potter movies deliberately softened many duels from the books to appeal to a wider audience. For example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the final battle between Harry and Quill is rather disturbing in the movie, as it depicts the impact of Harry's touch on the Hogwarts professor. However, in the books, the confrontation between the two is even more intense and visually striking, as Rowling provides a detailed explanation of how Quill suffers severe burns and blisters on his face after being touched by Harry.

Even in minor battles depicted in the books, the movies opted for toned-down versions instead of staying true to Rowling's intricate descriptions. The "Sectumsempra" clash between Harry and Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince serves as a perfect example. While the book goes into detailed accounts of how the curse by Severus Snape brutally tears at its target, the movie downplays its impact by not emphasizing how Harry unknowingly almost kills Malfoy by casting the spell. This is one of many duels in the films that have been weakened in intensity, primarily due to budget constraints, age ratings, and time limitations.

The Harry Potter Reboot Should Deliver Better Action Sequences

The Harry Potter TV series reboot must differentiate itself from the original movies by either providing a more faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's works or incorporating original story elements. To surpass the original movies, the reboot should enhance its action sequences. Although the visual effects in the first three Harry Potter movies still hold up, the reboot can utilize advancements in CGI to create even more visually stunning and immersive action scenes. While the original films excel in character development and casting, the reboot may struggle to establish itself as a superior adaptation. However, by improving and expanding the action sequences, the series can demonstrate its equal or even superior quality and production value. Additionally, as a television series, the reboot can take advantage of longer runtimes to prolong the action sequences beyond what the movies allowed.

How A Bigger Budget Can Fix The Harry Potter Movies' Biggest Problem

HBO is renowned for its significant investments in high-potential fantasy shows such as Westworld, The Last of Us, Game of Thrones, and House of Dragon. The Harry Potter reboot stands to benefit greatly from the conglomerate's substantial budget, as it will provide the opportunity to rectify the movies' mistake of downplaying battle scenes. With generous funding from HBO, the production team behind the Harry Potter reboot can not only take advantage of cutting-edge VFX technology but also bring in top-tier fight choreographers, stuntpeople, and set designers to enhance the intensity of the action. While it remains uncertain whether the Harry Potter reboot can capture the enchantment of the original movies, it is poised for excellence in delivering thrilling action.

Editor's P/S

As a die-hard Harry Potter fan, I am thrilled about the HBO reboot and its potential to rectify one of the biggest flaws of the original movies: the lackluster magical battles. The HBO series has the opportunity to fully embrace the darker and more intense elements of the books, delivering awe-inspiring action sequences that were toned down in the movies.

One of the things I love most about the Harry Potter books is the intricate and often brutal nature of the magical battles. The duels between Harry and Voldemort, in particular, are some of the most exciting and memorable scenes in the series. However, the movies often shied away from the full impact of these battles, likely due to budget constraints and the need to appeal to a wider audience. The HBO reboot, with its larger budget and more mature format, can finally do these battles justice.

I am confident that the HBO reboot will be a faithful adaptation of the books, while also bringing new and exciting elements to the story. I can't wait to see the magical battles come to life on screen in all their glory, and I believe that this will be a major factor in making the reboot a success.