2022 started for 'Potterverse' fans with a small gift from Warner Bros. and HBO Max. On January 1, the premiere of the special episode 'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' took place (in Russia, watch on Amediateka). Was it worth retur...

Timed to the twentieth anniversary, the special 'Return to Hogwarts' began production in November last year. The nostalgic mood and the success of the 'Friends' reunion prompted the Warner execs to put together a variety show set in the wizarding world. What came out of it: an incredibly interesting special episode that reveals new facets of the film universe, or an ordinary, unremarkable documentary created on the wave of success of a similar format?

What's the plot?

Yes, don't be surprised, 'Return to Hogwarts' has a semblance of a plot. The actors and actresses of the film saga, to the chime of Big Ben, discover the signature envelopes with invitations to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then the familiar King's Cross station, Platform 9 3/4, and the 'graduates' board the express train racing to the castle, where a festive (Christmas?) ball is held, and people who have known each other for twenty years meet again after a long separation.

Despite the fact that only 'Philosopher's Stone' celebrated its twentieth anniversary, the runtime of 'Return to Hogwarts' is divided into chapters covering discussions of all eight films, with Daniel Radcliffe acting as a guide from chapter to chapter. A bearded Harry Potter meets iconic people of the franchise (directors and actors) and indulges in pleasant memories of bygone days with them. The action is occasionally interspersed with photos, interviews, outtakes, and scenes from the films that match the topic of conversation.

Oh, brave old world!

It's always pleasant to return to the world of 'Harry Potter'. The tradition of rewatching all 8 films during the New Year holidays is familiar to millions of people, so January 1 is almost the perfect time to release a festive special episode, imbued with a New Year's atmosphere, but timed to the anniversary.

The production designers recreated magnificent sets for 'Return to Hogwarts'. The film features Dumbledore's office, the Potions classroom, Gringotts Bank, the Great Hall, the Gryffindor and Slytherin common rooms, and the aforementioned Hogwarts Express. The Phelps twins even marveled at how closely the sets matched their previous memories.

Nostalgia is the primary feeling evoked in viewers by the special. The creators play with your emotions for over an hour and a half. Everyone recalls the old days with warmth: actors, directors, producers, but most importantly, you. Familiar faces appear on screen again. Even if they don't cast spells, but merely tell stories from the set and endlessly praise each other and the franchise that gave them an incredible experience. Together with the team, viewers indulge in nostalgia and remember how cool it was to first discover the wonderful world of magic, realizing that it captivates forever.

The second emotional lever controls the viewers' tears, because 'Return to Hogwarts' is a true love letter to everyone involved, especially those who have passed away but gave their face to a particular character. The reunion dedicates an incredibly touching segment to the actors who have left the mortal world. The tribute paid will move every viewer. John Hurt, Richard Harris, Richard Griffiths, Helen McCrory, and, of course, Alan Rickman. The creators do not forget a single person involved in the film saga. Each name, evoking an irreplaceable loss, appears on the screen, causing the corners of the eyes to inadvertently moisten.

However, nothing new

Despite the fact that diving back into the familiar world is undoubtedly a pleasant activity, viewers will learn almost nothing new from the special episode. It's generally unclear what target audience 'Return to Hogwarts' was made for. Fans of 'Harry Potter' who know about the existence of additional materials on Blu-ray, YouTube, or simply on fandom sites have long heard or read all the stories told in the special (just read the first, second, and third parts of our materials dedicated to the franchise to be aware of 80% of what is being said on screen).

Casual fans of the film saga often do not watch documentaries and limit themselves to the main story. Most likely, on the occasion of the anniversary, WB and HBO are trying to lure ordinary viewers into new territory by telling long-known facts in incredibly beautiful sets and a nostalgic atmosphere, so die-hard fans will be a little disappointed.

Chris Columbus once again recalls how difficult it was to find an actor for the role of Harry Potter. Alfonso Cuarón talks about the character essays he assigned to the main trio of actors. Mike Newell laughs about the 'fight' on set during which he broke his ribs. And Emma Watson shares her childhood crush on Tom Felton. Old chestnuts, but surprisingly effective. Yes, 'Return to Hogwarts' will not raise topics about further careers or the difficulties of working on the franchise. Only briefly mentioned are the problems of 'oddballs' and loneliness, but nothing more.

Perhaps that's the point. In 2021, with a new wave of inspiration, the franchise was talked about in honor of the twentieth anniversary; in addition, the 'Friends' special made a pleasant impression on viewers, so without much thought, the Warner execs decided to use a one-time golden ticket on the Hogwarts Express and attract as many new people as possible mixed with fans who thought they would be revealed the secret veils of creating their favorite films. It was a matter of marketing and a sense of nostalgia for the wonderful magical world. In this regard, the creators worked 100 percent.

Don't think that 'Return to Hogwarts' has nothing worthwhile at all. That's not true. The appearance of Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter on screen is a real treat. The actor who played Sirius appears before the viewer as a modest, cheerful, and pleasant man. Looking at the master, you understand why Radcliffe during the time of 'Prisoner of Azkaban' considered Oldman almost a real godfather. The incredible energy of the actress who played Bellatrix Lestrange completely dispels all questions regarding casting. Helena Bonham Carter is the most lively among all those who participated in the filming. She laughs, teases colleagues, makes fun of them, tries on a dental cast, sparkles with emotions and mischief, and in addition reads a love note she received from Daniel Radcliffe after working together on 'Order of the Phoenix'.

Dear H.B.C. I'm glad I worked with you in a pair and in a sweat. You sweated with your 'hold my coffee', but I love you. It's a pity I wasn't born ten years earlier. Maybe I would have had a chance. Love and kisses. Thank you for being cool

Looks like we forgot someone...

Speaking of the significant reunion of the team that worked on the saga, one cannot fail to mention those who, for unknown (and known) reasons, are not in the special episode. Honestly, there are enough names for a separate block under the heading 'They could have come, but didn't...'.

No, really, 'Return to Hogwarts' does not include Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Julie Walters, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, Warwick Davis, and many, many others. Is it only the chosen ones who are worthy to return to Hogwarts? Perhaps some are no longer young and could not participate due to health reasons, while others had work schedules that did not allow them to break away even for a few days, but one way or another, the lack of a huge number of 'family members' is alarming. The absence of key figures for the film universe suggests that the special was put together as quickly as possible while viewer interest in such an unpopular format was still hot.

Special mention, undoubtedly, should be given to the creator of the entire 'Potterverse' J.K. Rowling. Before the release, a discussion flared up on social media about the writer's absence from the project, and shortly before the premiere, rumors leaked that the creator of the universe had nevertheless participated in 'Return to Hogwarts'. However, the rumors were quickly refuted and it was said that her participation was nothing more than archival interview footage.

Every time the inscription 'Recording 2019' appears on the screen, hysterical laughter suggests itself and thoughts come: 'What nonsense is this? What statements on Twitter against transgender people? Where would you be without her?' Kill me, but I don't understand why the main person in the mechanism called 'Harry Potter' is not present in the project. Why take archival footage before the 'scandal' if, no matter how you roll the dice, without Rowling no one would ever have gathered to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the film saga.

Of course, the writer's name is not banned. Many mention 'Mum Ro', pay tribute to her, but the question arises: 'If you love and appreciate the creator of the books about the young wizard so much, why did not a single soul stand up for her?' Robbie Coltrane says that Rowling is a true author, because thanks to J.K.'s works, even people who previously considered such an activity uninteresting started reading. But the fact remains, no matter how kindly they speak of her, seeing a variety show without the main instigator is, to say the least, strange.

The main focus of the film falls on the key trio (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson), while the others serve as background, occasionally inserting small stories, barely participating in the variety show, and endlessly praising each other. They shower each other with compliments and caricatured, rehearsed, and acted phrases about how much the franchise means, how great it is to work in a team of such professionals, and how they all love each other and consider themselves one family, despite long separations. Of course, all this looks funny and by the end becomes completely tiresome. Especially against the backdrop of worn-out stories.

But even with a lack of time for all the actors, there are participants who seem superfluous in the project. For example, Alfred Enoch throughout the reunion nods and agrees with colleagues and their stories a few times, but practically tells nothing himself. The question is, what role does the actor have in 'Return to Hogwarts'? One would like to think that this and many other omissions (including the mistake with Emma Roberts and the twins) were made for an incredibly valid reason, otherwise the impression of the special episode drops significantly.

So what's the result?

It's hard to say what came out of the reunion. Answering the question posed at the beginning, it is definitely not an ordinary documentary, but it is also far from an incredibly interesting special episode (with all its flaws). The special turned out pleasant and cozy. If during the New Year holidays there is absolutely no time to rewatch the eight main parts, but you really want to experience familiar emotions, then 'Return to Hogwarts' will serve as an ideal digest of the key moments of the film saga, packed into a less than two-hour format.

The creators conveyed the atmosphere and emotions brilliantly, but the pleasant feelings stumble upon rehearsed caricatured lines, mistakes, and scarcity of information. The screen lacks liveliness, time for new stories, and most of the missing pieces of a huge puzzle. Nevertheless, the overall impression remains positive, because after watching, it becomes clear once again how magnificent a world was created by Joan Rowling and everyone involved in the film adaptations.

Some, unfortunately, are no longer in this world, but Robbie Coltrane says an incredibly wise thing.

I will die, but Hagrid will remain

This is the main thing that 'Return to Hogwarts' should convey to every viewer. It doesn't matter how many years pass. Twenty, fifty, or a hundred. 'Harry Potter' is something that will remain forever with us and with those who come after. The name of everyone who contributed to its creation is, one way or another, inscribed in the magical history of the wizarding world.