After having quite enjoyed the last Harry Potter, I was expecting the series of films to maintain its pleasant ascent of quality. And while Phoenix certainly has great production value, some very nice special effects, careful attention to detail and some good acting, its overall impact wanes more than waxes.

The opening is marvelous, a bout with a snotty peer definitely in need of some come uppin’s. But, the resolution of that is quick and weak, a couple of cgi ghouls aren’t very impressive. Then, old wizard school chums of Harry Potter come to fetch him among the less-than-understanding mortals and whisk him away with some great surreal scenes and friendship. But the movie leaves ordinary life too soon and thus has no more interesting surrealism to offer, for in the world of magic, magic is not all that outstanding.

From there the second act goes far too long riding on the tension between a prison-warden-like professor and the rest of the school. Don’t get me wrong, this character is well realized and rich, but simply not meant to carry such a huge chunk of the film. Hence, the picture drags. Certainly, this section of the film should have been edited for length, but instead, I noticed some heavy-handed cutting in the first portion.

While the internal struggle within Harry is more than hinted at, it is never made real on screen. Perhaps it’s the choppy flow of the storytelling , perhaps it’s the inclusion of too many bits in too short of a time, perhaps it’s just that the special effects overwhelmed the subtlety, in either case, this main thrust falls weak.

The climax echoes that sentiment. After enduring the wicked, nervous-laughing, drill sergeant’s antics for what seemed like over an hour, viewers deserve more than a wind up dominated by a sparks-and-fire fight scene.

-- Book Contest --

"POTTER FANS IN A ROW"
The day of Deathly Hallows release, I found myself signing my own little book series on a mobile tour through Southern California. Between my signings, I stopped at a theatre to screen and review the film “Hairspray.” The cinema shared the mall with Barnes and Nobel, hence a line of Potter Fans wound its way into my way. After the film, the line of Potter Fans remained. I was impressed with their passion for their written word of choice. I went back to my van and pulled out 9 or 10 copies of a series I’d written for teens & adults called “Rodney Appleseed.” I walked up to that line saying, “I’m an author, would you like a signed copy of the first books in my series?” The first 10 Potter fans quick enough to call me over got a free signed copy. “I’m not famous.” I said, “But given a few years, the ‘Rodney Appleseed’ series might just amass a line this long.” We shook hands, I signed books. Here are a couple reviews of my “Rodney Appleseed” series by a couple of those “Harry Potter” fans:

Jordan writes:
I really enjoyed your book ... colorful characters, interesting developments, and a cleverly quirky deus ex machina thrown in at all the right times!

Alysse writes:
It is wonderful. It is like nothing I have ever read before. It was completely unique and absolutely vivid. In fact, you could say that I am obsessed. I have been throwing philosophical questions at people all week. ... It was the perfect mix of philosophical mind benders and innocent, childhood silliness. I look forward to reading it again. ... it was inspiring. it was the light i looked forward too during the dark days of the first week of school.

Unlike J.K., I don’t have millions of readers – but I do have thousands (and growing). If you’d like to get a copy of one of my books while I still have time to sign it for you personally -- click to www.RossAnthony.com/books. You can only buy them through me because I own all publishing and distribution rights to my own works. So unless I’m signing at a bookstore in your city, click to RossAnthony.com/books. Tell me you’re a Harry fan when you order and I’ll throw in something free -- not sure what just yet. And of course, I’d love to read your review of my book as well.
Sincerely, Ross Anthony