Monday, July 18, 2011

Spellbound

Blenheim teenager Gwen Burney has spent half her life enthralled by the world of boy-wizard Harry Potter and his friends, Ron and Hermione.

So when the 15-year-old sees the final instalment of the movie franchise tonight she will leave the cinema with mixed emotions. "It's going to be strange. The feeling that nothing else is coming out – it's kind of the end of it."

However, her interest in the Potter world is not likely to wane as the final credits roll on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. "This will be with me for the rest of my life," she said.

Gwen and her family have been watching the other movies leading up to today's release and they will be seeing the movie together tonight. Gwen will see the movie again tomorrow with some of her friends.

She began reading the seven-book series at the age of eight, and cannot recall how many times she has read them. "In the 50s. They're just gripping – you can't put them down once you pick them up."

Top Town Cinema manager Duncan Mackenzie said the movie was one of the most anticipated of the series.

Other movie franchises would find it difficult to emulate the global success of Harry Potter. "There's nothing else out there despite the best efforts of movie companies to create a franchise like Harry Potter."

Each movie has proved a sure-fire hit for both cinemas and audiences alike and the final instalment would be no exception, he said. "[Harry Potter] has been a magnificent performer from a business perspective, but the most important measure is audience satisfaction. They've kept people coming back and you can't do that unless you're doing it right."

- The Marlborough ExpressSIMON WONG

Last updated 16:07 14/07/2011

Spellbound
Enthralled: Gwen Burney, 15, has been caught up in the world of Harry Potter since picking up the first book at age 8. The last of the Harry Potter film franchise opens today and for many it will be the end of an era.


No comments:

Post a Comment