Magical Harry Potter series hypnotizes local audiences
By KATIE WALDROP Staff Writer

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is the fifth and newest movie release of the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, and locals are hypnotized.

"I like the mystical and fantasy part of the books, it's just right up my ally," said Sterling Broadnax, 17, senior of Jasper High School. "The movies aren't anything compared to the books. They aren't long enough, they need to be three and a half hours long to fit in everything, like 'Lord of the Rings'."

Kelsey Shaw, 14, sophomore of Jasper High School has no argument against Broadnax about the books.

"The movies are okay, but the books are 10 times better," said Shaw. "My favorite part in the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was the quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, but the movie completely omitted it from the movie."

"They add drama to the movies between the characters and down play the important situations."

Although Shaw does not like the movies as much as the books she loves Rowling's writing style. It is what draws her to the books.

"J.K. Rowling's writing style is witty. Those who, like me, started reading Harry Potter young they can grow with Ron, Hermione and Harry," said Shaw. It's really good and the land is magical. Who wouldn't want their candy to move to them or pictures to talk to them."

Shaw has seen that as she has grown with the characters she can relate to them, not in the magical sense, but in their personalities that are created.

"People tell me I'm a know-it-all, kind of like Hermione. And even though Harry's situation is an extreme case, we all feel the loneliness he experiences at times, especially when we fight with friends," said Shaw.

On the other hand is Ely Corum. He does not read the books but is captivated by the movies alone. Like Broadnax, he likes fantasy movies and he is drawn to Harry Potter by the action and mystical adventures that take place.

The seventh and last Harry Potter book will be released July 21, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.'

To read the Harry Potter books the Jasper Public Library carries the series and can be located on 175 East Water Street by the Fire Station. Call 384-3791 for more information on the books.