10 Most Unnecessary Changes the Harry Potter Movies Made
Movies have a bad habit of changing the story up from the novels they were inspired by. A lot of these changes are necessary as they benefit the overall flow of the film. They also change up the story enough so that the movie is not a word-for-word recreation of the book — nobody wants to see that!
The habit does become "bad" when it drastically alters the plot, changes the outcome of a standout moment as well as simply forges a scene that is downright bizarre.
Harry Potter has its fair share of these moments, and Potterheads have a lot to say about them. We've compiled 10 of the most unnecessary changes in the franchise, so let's get going!
The Big Three
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Fans have expressed disapproval of the dumbed-down characters on the big screen when contrasted with those found in the novels. Harry is on the same level as Superman and completely void of the sass, conflicted and impatient characteristics that add much depth to his character.
The movie cements him as the 'role student" as if he is the boy who lived 24/7. Understandably, it is better suited for Hollywood, but regardless, Harry in the movies is much more bland and by-the-books than Harry in the novels.
To some hardcore Potterheads, Harry was the one they rooted for and sympathized with. In the films, they view his personality as boring as the cupboard under the stairs itself.
Hermione is the protagonist many believe to be the most significantly altered in the transition from paper to screen. We are all familiar with the perfect, albeit snobby at times little girl who graced our televisions alongside Harry and Ron. The portrayal as a character with almost no flaws sparks some nerve over eliminating a lot of the humanity from Hermione. Many feel it removed what made her seem like a person.
Hermione was a bit more tame in the novels, however, she was able to show much more emotion as well as identify it in her peers. She was light-hearted to the point of being able to take Ron's classic jokes and jabs with a smile. Hermione was not super well-versed in combat or anything for that matter. She had her own developmental curve with many low points to balance out with the highs. Aside from puberty taking place, Potter fans feel her character is more or less static throughout the film series.
The most disappointing on-screen adaptation of the three protagonists has been unanimously declared as Ron Weasley. Fans don't have much to say about the character's film portrayal and that is why they're upset.
Some say he was "done dirty" from the first film to the last; that he was deprived of his good line, good character, and perception of the "real world". Conversely, he was transformed into a bland and unintelligent character that is not favored highly by many.
Remove the factor of being Hermione's love interest, and he doesn't bring much to the table.
Small Things Make a Big Difference
One of the first things that comes to fans' minds when thinking of small changes is the Burrow. The Weasley family's quaint home was bombarded by death eaters over the Christmas holiday in the Half-Blood Prince. The attack ended with the house being burned down in a dramatic display of fury and flames. Yet, in the next movie, the house was magically repaired, with no indication as to how it happened. To this day fans scratch their heads over this scene.
On the topic of the Half-Blood Prince, the moment that allows readers to look deeper into Snape's past is underwhelming in the movie. There's no backstory, no explanation, no build-up to the big reveal. Fans are just left with the fact that Snape is in fact half-blood at the movie's end.
Another subtle moment that did not transpire is when the elder wand is laid to rest. Harry breaks it in half and chucks it off the bridge at the ending of The Deathly Hallows – Part 2. In the novel, he uses its power one last time to repair his own wand before returning it to Dumbledore's grave.
The element hated most by Potterheads is how Harry's relationship with Cho plays out in the movies. In the novels, Cho grows jealous of the bond between Harry and Hermione. As a result, when her friend snitches on Dumbledore's army to Umbridge, Cho sides with her friend, resulting in the pair's split. In the movie, Cho is the one who snitches, immediately ending their relationship then and there.
Some Jaw-Dropping Moments Were Handled Poorly
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At the hands of Severus Snape, one of the most heartbreaking parts of the novels is butchered in the film. That moment is Dumbledore's death. In the novel, he casts a spell over Harry to freeze him, keeping him protected from Draco and the death eaters. In the movie, Harry is told to hide, and as a result, he gets to watch Dumbledore get attacked without being able to do anything to stop it.
During the Battle of the Seven Potters, there was another inaccuracy incorrectly depicted in the film. The novel describes Harry using the "Expelliarmus" spell, which had become his signature move. The spell is a core part of his identity that prevents him from killing those, even ones inflicting harm upon him. The film simply depicts Hedwig sacrificing her life to save Harry.
It is a scene much debated amongst fans, with most agreeing that the novel's approach tied Harry's entire journey together.
When Hermione first uttered the name of Lord Voldemort in Order of the Phoenix, it was a moment that stopped everyone dead in their tracks. Unfortunately, the movies passed over that too. Instead, they opted to have her casually proclaiming his name all throughout the series.