As you all know, the Harry Potter film franchise is finally coming to an end. Anticipation of this event has been building since the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, made its way into theaters 10 years ago (2001 for you non-math types). Hell, if you want to be honest, anticipation of this event has been building since we first opened up the book to read the first chapter entitled, “The Boy Who Lived.” People across the globe will be packing into theaters to witness the final installment of the series that defined the childhood of my generation. This is a franchise that has transcended age and apparently judgement, seeing how it has become pretty much a standard for people to show up in full-fledged costumes for the premier.
When was the last time anyone was this excited about another installment of a film franchise? If you answered Star Wars then *ding, ding ding* you are correct. If you said Twilight, please proceed to the nearest cliff and jump head first. The Harry Potter film franchise is the Star Wars of our generation.
I was born in 1988, 11 years after the release of George Lucas’s epic space opera Star Wars, thus I was never truly able to become fanatical for what the generations before (during and possible after) mine would call one of the greatest film franchise ever (I’ve yet to make it through an entire movie). What Lucas had once imagined first as book and then into a film would eventually take on a life of its on; spawning 2 more sequels, 3 prequels (Hayden Christensen is the whiniest villain every to be on-screen the silver screen), and most importantly a fan base that spans across the globe, who show up in inappropriate costumes to show their enthusiasm, just as the Potter fans would come to do in the future.
I say that the Harry Potter franchise is the Star Wars of our generation for a couple of reasons. Both films invited us to immerse ourselves into their worlds and to establish connections with the main characters as they grew and learned to overcome their fears, face adversity head-on, and find the inner strength to fight for what they believe in. The other reason I wanted to make this comparison is based purely on hope. The Star Wars franchise first began in 1977. 34 years later it is still hailed as one of the best film franchises to ever be on the big screen (The original trilogy). That kind of longevity is amazing. I’m hoping the Potter films will have this same type of longevity. The potential is there. The fact that this franchise has already released 8 movies and have all received positive reviews says a lot. At any rate, I’m sure the next generation and the next will come to enjoy the films that have come to shape our childhoods.
And if we’re lucky, no one will ever hear and/or talk about Twilight again within the next 5 years. #WeCanOnlyPray.
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