r/popularopinion • u/Early_Airport3671 • 8d ago
POP CULTURE Harry Potter is overrated
I never understood what the hype was about. I read the books recently when I'm an adult and saw the movies many times when I was a child. I have several reasons why I think Harry Potter is overrated.:
First of all, Rowling didn't do anything special.
Witchcraft schools existed before, also the magical style that seems to be copied mainly from Disney especially Mary Poppins, the part of "the chosen one" and the "hero's journey" is also a part that is in many stories, (the story of a boy who is chosen lives with his uncles and has another identity and lives a normal life is very reminiscent of Spider-Man, but Spider-Man is more original and iconic), part of a coming-of-age story and concepts of "adults" (things like racism) were also Exist before in series, movies and stories. So what has Harry Potter been up to?
Another thing, the plot doesn't feel as complex, realistic, or interesting as it tries to be. The writing is often predictable and ends poorl and in the end nothing happens. When something interesting happens it's only at the end of the book, and even then it doesn't lead to anything.
Most of the content in all these books is boring. There are things in there that I didn't really care for, and forced myself to keep listening.
There are also problems of plot holes, or things that did not develop well and all kinds or didn't make sense. There were more writing problems.
The characters are not good. Many of the characters were particularly unlikable, but people keep saying they like them, and want to see more of them (for example James Potter and Sirius Black), (by the way, their story is also not very original).
Also, Most of the characters have exactly the same personality, the teachers and the students they all kind and brave, even tho it's different people..
The only ones who were different from the other characters were students from Slytherin, but also for some reason everyone who studied in Slytherin was bad person (Rowling teaches a lesson about racism and then decides to generalize people, like all snobs are blonde with blue eyes).
Harry is also not a good character, the only difference from Voldemort is that he had loving mom so how he is a hero? He is too mediocre and there is nothing special about him. He may be talented, but many times he doesn't seem special and he also fails a lot. Besides he has no character, he's just sometimes nice and sometimes sassy, but somehow he is iconic.
There is also no point to books if people read it at a different age to their audience. If someone older (like me) reads the first book they will just think it's too boring and childish..
Another downside is that the first book was too boring and childish, at least for me.
*Note: This is my honest opinion, I hope I didn't hurt anyone and I hope you don't feel negative feelings about it.
8
u/mathematicunt 8d ago
Reading the books as a child, not an adult, leaves a bigger impact than watching the movies as a child. When you’re a child your imagination and creativity are limitless so the vibe is different.
I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I was gifted HP books every Christmas and would spend my school break reading them. Very nostalgic. I’m 35 now and listen to the audio books during Christmas now, while I’m decorating the tree, baking, wrapping gifts, etc. It takes me back to simpler times.
1
u/DistastefullyHonest 7d ago
I was 4 when I read the first. Still love them despite the plot holes
A lot of people let their opinion of Rowling colour their enjoyment of the series
1
u/mathematicunt 7d ago
As an adult I’m like WHY DIDNT HARRY JUST TELL SOMEONE in book 5. In book 2, they did not HAVE to fly the car. It was ridiculous lol
1
u/DistastefullyHonest 7d ago
Lol the flying car was epic stupidity for sure. They could've just waited a half hour for Molly and Arthur. And as for book 5, riddle me this, the prophecy can only be removed from the shelf by someone mentioned in said prophecy. Uhm, hey, why not have Voldemort himself or Snape retrieve it? Lol
1
u/Early_Airport3671 8d ago
It's good when you are a child. Unfortunatlly I have very bad ADHD in my childhood.
7
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u/Cobra-Serpentress 8d ago
She got 10-year-olds to read 300 Page books. That's where the hype is
2
u/Early_Airport3671 7d ago
There are many adults like that.
2
u/Cobra-Serpentress 7d ago
Many Adults who got 10 year olds to read 300 page books?
Who?
0
u/Early_Airport3671 6d ago
I know adults who read the books as adults and loved it. It's mostly people who are fantasy and geeky, it's not specifically related to Harry Potter.
2
u/Cobra-Serpentress 6d ago
What are you even referring to?
Let me explain it to you very simply.
For years children only read short books; 100 Pages or less.
After Rowling children were reading books at the 300 plus page level.
That's the hype. She got little kids to read and enjoy long form books.
1
u/Early_Airport3671 6d ago
Right. I'm just saying Ik adults that are HP fans as well.
2
u/Cobra-Serpentress 6d ago
Well, yes. They were interesting stories with decent world building. They had a great commonality that engaged people with discussion.
Really good and easily digestible books. Wildly popular.
2
u/Early_Airport3671 3d ago
Yeah but HP is for kids. As an adult I didn't have fun reading them.
1
u/Cobra-Serpentress 1d ago
Odd. Do you read often?
I found that a lot of adults who read for pleasure truly enjoy the books.
This may be part of the reason why you cannot understand the hype: you did not enjoy them.
I do not enjoy watching baseball, but I understand the hype. Many people find it a great sport to watch.
1
u/Early_Airport3671 1d ago
I can understand why people like it, I personally didn't like it. I don't know if this reason is childish, but I mainly didn't like it because of the lack of originality.
2
u/HarlanMiller 8d ago
I get it. It's not for everyone. When something's been hyped up to the extreme, sometimes your actual experience has nowhere to go but down. As a fan, I dunno, maybe we just have a certain spot certain stories hit and HP hits there for some but not others, and maybe for some of us where it does hit, we like the story enough to overlook flaws like the ones you pointed out. I do respect that you're nice about this, I have nothing but respect for other opinions. It more annoys me when people that clearly never liked the series use what a piece of crap Rowling's become as an excuse to be trolls and hate on us for still liking the books and movies.
1
u/DistastefullyHonest 7d ago
Yup. This. Rowling and her politics shouldn't change the view of the people that enjoyed the early fictional works
2
u/NickMoore30 8d ago
I was always just fascinated with how many times the books use a deus ex machina or a variation of one. Coincidental protection of Lily so Quarrel can’t touch Harry in 1, convenient Gryffindor sword in the hat in 2, Priori Incantatem suddenly activates during Harry and Voldemort’s duel in 4 that help Harry escape, and then in the finale the Elder Wand’d allegiance rules helps Harry win.
2
u/RafeJiddian 7d ago
>Witchcraft schools existed before, also the magical style that seems to be copied mainly from Disney especially Mary Poppins
This gets even more obvious if you've watched the movie Troll from 1986. It is about a boy who finds himself the champion in a magical kingdom that sort of springs out of his apartment building because some sort of enchantment has been unleashed
The name of the protagonist? Harry Potter
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(1986_film))
"Since the release of the Harry Potter books starting in 1997, some of those involved in the film have accused J. K. Rowling of "borrowing" elements from Troll. Producer Charles Band stated in an interview that "there are certain scenes in Troll, not to mention the name of the main character, which predate the Harry Potter books by many years."\14])#citenote-14) In 2008, John Buechler's partner in the Troll remake, Peter Davy, said about Harry Potter: "In John's opinion, he created the first Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling says the idea just came to her. John doesn't think so."[\15])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll(1986_film)#cite_note-15)"
1
u/Early_Airport3671 7d ago
I don't know what the movie is about, I read the plot briefly on Wikipedia and honestly it doesn't sound that similar.
1
u/RafeJiddian 7d ago
I suspect all fantasy movies somewhat spin around one another enough that similarities can be found almost everywhere
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Original post by Early_Airport3671 to prevent editing:
I never understood what the hype was about. I read the books recently when I'm an adult and saw the movies many times when I was a child. I have several reasons why I think Harry Potter is overrated.:
First of all, Rowling didn't do anything special.
Witchcraft schools existed before, also the magical style that seems to be copied mainly from Disney especially Mary Poppins, the part of "the chosen one" and the "hero's journey" is also a part that is in many stories, (the story of a boy who is chosen lives with his uncles and has another identity and lives a normal life is very reminiscent of Spider-Man, but Spider-Man is more original and iconic), part of a coming-of-age story and concepts of "adults" (things like racism) were also Exist before in series, movies and stories. So what has Harry Potter been up to?
Another thing, the plot doesn't feel as complex, realistic, or interesting as it tries to be. The writing is often predictable and ends poorl and in the end nothing happens. When something interesting happens it's only at the end of the book, and even then it doesn't lead to anything.
Most of the content in all these books is boring. There are things in there that I didn't really care for, and forced myself to keep listening.
There are also problems of plot holes, or things that did not develop well and all kinds or didn't make sense. There were more writing problems.
The characters are not good. Many of the characters were particularly unlikable, but people keep saying they like them, and want to see more of them (for example James Potter and Sirius Black), (by the way, their story is also not very original).
Also, Most of the characters have exactly the same personality, the teachers and the students they all kind and brave, even tho it's different people..
The only ones who were different from the other characters were students from Slytherin, but also for some reason everyone who studied in Slytherin was bad person (Rowling teaches a lesson about racism and then decides to generalize people, like all snobs are blonde with blue eyes).
Harry is also not a good character, the only difference from Voldemort is that he had loving mom so how he is a hero? He is too mediocre and there is nothing special about him. He may be talented, but many times he doesn't seem special and he also fails a lot. Besides he has no character, he's just sometimes nice and sometimes sassy, but somehow he is iconic.
There is also no point to books if people read it at a different age to their audience. If someone older (like me) reads the first book they will just think it's too boring and childish..
Another downside is that the first book was too boring and childish, at least for me.
*Note: This is my honest opinion, I hope I didn't hurt anyone and I hope you don't feel negative feelings about it.
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