NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > FANS AND CRITICS PLACE NEW HARRY POTTER JUST BELOW CITIZEN KANE

FANS AND CRITICS PLACE NEW HARRY POTTER JUST BELOW CITIZEN KANE

July 18 2009

Hollywood, CA – The phenomenon that has carried the boy wizard Harry Potter to the heights of superstar fandom has no doubt been a remarkable ride. For both the creators of the films and books and for fans the ride of the last twelve years has been nothing short of incredible with fame and wealth beyond imagination now almost dull
with how commonplace it has become. The release of the newest film in the series is no different and as ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ works its magic on the box office both fans and creators are revelling in the moment.

With the Potter franchise undeniably one of the biggest entertainment properties in history and with its end in the very near future many fans and critics are now attempting to place the series amongst its peers. With much debate from all quarters as to the quality of certain entries of the series most agree that the newest film is the best yet with many placing it just below Citizen Kane as the greatest movie ever made. Though lists often do create debate of their own very few are questioning the newest Harry Potter film’s placement amongst the greatest motion pictures ever made.

“I haven’t actually seen Citizen Kane but everyone always talks about how great it is so I will give it that but the Half Blood Prince has to be second. I haven’t even heard of some of these other movies so Harry would have to be at the top,” said Melissa fresh off her fourth
viewing in as many days. “Harry was so great and the effects were amazing. I just melted when Harry and Ginny kissed. It’s way better than some boring movie about Godfathers and stuff like that. Harry is the best!”

Similar reactions were found at theatres across the United States with most people placing all six Potter movies in the top ten of all time. Despite that, Kane remained tops amongst most filmgoers even those who have never seen nor have any intention to see the legendary 1941 Orson Welles film.

“When it comes to ‘Citizen Kane’ there is a general recognition of its quality and its impact, not only socially but on the medium of film itself. There is some genuine debate as to whether or not it holds up to today’s
standards or if it is being assessed based on its influence but ultimately it stands as one of the greats. The fact that it can stand up to Harry Potter really speaks volumes as to how great the movie really is,” said Scrape TV Entertainment analyst Tracey Temple. “There is still some debate as to Potter’s influence in the realm of literature though. A lot of that is based on which particular storyline fans find compelling. Some people place The Philosopher’s Stone as the greatest book ever and some place the deathly Hallows there. Luckily Harry has so many books and such diversity to the stories that those books will always be listed amongst the greatest ever.”

Literary critics have generally agreed that the Order of the Phoenix is the best of the series and should be placed as the number one book of all time. Rounding out the top ten are works Ulysses, Don Quixote, and War and Peace. The Godfather part two, Lawrence of Arabia, and Twilight round out the film top ten.

“With over $4 billion in box office revenue and billions more on the way there’s little doubt that Harry Potter is a massive entertainment property. That influence will likely be felt for years to come and engage entire generations of audiences, much in the same way that Citizen Kane has done. I’d imagine that as the younger generations become more and more adept and erudite in film lit they will likely push Kane further down the list. That of course is without the last two films in the series yet released,” continued Temple. “There will likely be some debate amongst film scholars as to where the various Harry Potter movies will be placed but the rabid fandom will likely keep it in place in the all important list-making genre.”

Harry Potter himself does rank as the number one character in film history with Dumbledore and Hermione second and third. Ron Weasley ranked 143rd.   

Samantha Dryden, Entertainment Correspondent

NEWS > ENTERTAINMENT > FANS AND CRITICS PLACE NEW HARRY POTTER JUST BELOW CITIZEN KANE