Harry Potter Film Reflection (Movie Review Sample)

Harry Potter Film Reflection Student’s First Name, Middle Initial(s), Last Name Institution Affiliation Course Number and Name Instructor’s Name and Title Assignment Due Date Harry Potter Film Reflection Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 fantasy film, an adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s second novel. The film delves into the adventures of Harry Potter and his journey towards resolving the issues in the open chamber of secrets. At the beginning of the film, the viewer discovers that Harry Potter is a wizard, currently enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Campbell & Cousineau, 1990). A critical appraisal of the plot unveils that Harry Potter’s adventures conform to Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” elements. Discussion Ordinary World Joseph Campbell’s concept divulges that the first stage in a hero’s journey is the revelation of the ordinary world. In this context, the audience can witness the ordinary lifestyle of the hero before the supernatural aspects emerge. The ordinary world introduces the hero’s daily living before embarking on the venture. The first scene in the film reflects Harry Potter’s ordinary world. Chris Columbus portrays Harry Potter as residing with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, the Dursley’s (Columbus, 2002). It is the summer holiday, and the viewer recognizes that Harry Potter is living a normal life but is not happy because his uncle has constituted hard-and-fast rules to control his behavior. His uncle is cognizant of his ways and the influence of his friends. However, Vernon, his uncle, does not want Harry Potter to exhibit his friends’ behaviors in his house. In this setting, the viewer realizes that Harry Potter lives with his surviving family but is uncomfortable with the situation. Call to Adventure The call to adventure represents the initial instigating incident that obligates the hero to acknowledge the need for action. Chris Columbus makes it apparent that Harry Potter receives the call to adventure from a house-elf, Dobby (Columbus, 2002). Dobby comes into Harry’s bedroom with a clear message to discourage the young boy from going back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Specifically, Dobby considers this mission his responsibility to warn Harry Potter, the wizard, as a way of protecting him. Dobby reveals that Harry Potter will experience more dangers at Hogwarts because of a plot that seeks to foster many unfortunate events. For this reason, Dobby advises Harry potter to decide that he will not return to Hogwarts. For Harry Potter, Dobby’s message serves as a call to adventure because it gives him the awareness that intriguing events are likely to happen and reinforces his determination to go back to Hogwarts. Dobby causes a mess in Harry Potter’s house, compelling his uncle to restrict him further. At this point, the viewer recognizes that Dobby’s warning serves as the initiating incident that propels Harry Potter to embark on his hero’s journey. Refusal of the Call The refusal of the call denotes a critical stage in the hero’s journey because it serves as a moment of self-reflection when the hero must weigh the consequences of his action. In the context of Harry Potter, the refusal of the call involves a critical analysis of what he gains and loses by going back to Hogwarts or remaining in his uncle’s house. Harry Potter categorically cites that he is a wizard and only belongs to Hogwarts, where he can fully exercise his powers. However, Harry Potter is cognizant that he does not belong to his uncle’s house, which explains why he does not consider Dobby’s warning as an adequate reason to prevent him from going back to Hogwarts. Although he is hesitant about embarking on his hero’s journey, he remains adamant about going to Hogwarts. The fear that confronts him revolves around Dobby’s reasons regarding the multiple dangers. On the other hand, choosing to live in his uncle’s house will translate to restrictions and multiple confrontations regarding his magic (Campbell & Cousineau, 1990). For this reason, he critically analyzes the implications of each option. In this context of reflection, the viewer witnesses Harry Potter dealing with his initial refusal of the venture. Crossing the First Threshold Campbell’s concept highlights crossing the first threshold as a vital part of the ...