The magic returns in 'Potter'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

A much-matured Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) reunite for the third installment of the Harry Potter movie series, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," which opens tomorrow. Associated Press

"I'm a big fan," he says at the mention of Potter's name. "There's a lot of action; I love the fantasy. My mom's reading me the fifth book now, and I'm waiting to see the new movie again."

Donovan, a fourth-grader at August Ahrens Elementary School in Waipahu, typifies the youths who have entered the world of J.K. Rowling through shared book readings and, of course, subsequent films. He was one of the lucky ones who recently got to see an exclusive Advertiser-sponsored preview of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the highly anticipated new Warner Bros. feature.

Tomorrow's opening has triggered a groundswell of young readers turning to the printed page at local libraries and bookstores before flocking to the cinema this weekend.

Donovan's grandmother, Rebecca Correa, won a clutch of tickets to attend the sneak peek two weeks ago, so he's steps ahead of his peers and is already hooked on the new flick chronicling Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts.

"I loved the magic parts — very interesting," Donovan said with glee. "Yes, there were some scary parts too. But I just closed my eyes."

After a slight hesitation, he said, "I think I'd like to see this one many, many times."

So he plans to brave the lines and crowds and revisit Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and other figures in the Potter landscape, probably at the Mililani Stadium multiplex.

"I'm a big fan. There's a lot of action. I love the fantasy. My mom's reading me the fifth book now, and I'm waiting to see the new movie again." Donovan Niguel Age 9 Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It's really a good family movie," said Correa. "I thought it would be intense; the humor gives it nice balance."

Donovan's mom, Diana Miguel, said the bedtime storytelling ritual, usually about 30 minutes but sometimes an hour, has been remarkably beneficial.

"I read to him once, and he remembers the story, the characters, everything,"

she said of the practice that started a few years back, when he was a wee bit young to tackle the language, and the girth, of the Potter books. "Now that he can read, he's doing some of that on his own."

She said she used to invent voices that she thought would suit the characters and admits she was mispronouncing some names at first. The movies quickly removed all doubts and helped put everything into perspective.

"It's great the films encouraged Donovan to read," said the happy mom, who has a collection of all five of the J.K. Rowling tomes and can't wait till the next one arrives — whenever.

Candace Foster, librarian at 'Aina Haina Elementary School for 13 years, said the kids on her campus are doting Pottermaniacs.

"The books are exceedingly popular," said Foster. "And the children are very aware that the new movie's coming; I'm sure many of them will be among the first to see it."

Diana Miguel, left, her son, Donovan, 9, and daughter, Lara, 18, play a Harry Potter trivia game at their West Loch home. The Harry Potter films and books have boosted Donovan's reading skills, his mom says. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

"The books are very descriptive," said Foster. "I was almost sad when the first film came out; I had never seen a book grabbing the kids so much, but I was afraid that the kids would see a moviemaker's vision, not their own, but the films have done an incredible job of interpreting J.K. Rowling, who is a visually descriptive writer. The films have shown us what Hogwarts look like and made the characters real for the kids."

At 'Aina Haina, Foster said, the pupils think the movies actually aren't long enough, because of scene omissions they savor from the book.

Foster said the books are suitable for fourth graders and older kids. "The younger ones would need help," she said. "Some young ones have been in, asking permission if they could take home a book — for some, the books are so heavy!"

The books fly off her shelves, without promotion. "Two years ago, one of the books was a Nene Award winner (voted by students), and every subsequent one would win, except there's a rule that you can't win another Nene until after five years," she said.

Patti Matsuura, librarian for nearly a decade at Pu'ohala Elementary School, said there's honor and pride in borrowing — and flashing — a Potter book.

"All the kids want to borrow a book," she said. "They want to carry it around, since it's so prestigious. I think our library has three each of all the books. They're so well-used, I think we're ready for new ones."

At her Kane'ohe campus, the tales are particularly appealing "because the children in the stories have power; they're able to solve problems, even fantastic problems; and children make some tough decisions. The kids really like that," said Matsuura.

She used Potter as an incentive for students to delve into reading last year. "The goal was 1,000 pages, and the students all latched onto Potter," said Matsuura. "Second- and third-graders took the books home for parents to read; the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders read on their own. I know they'll get into the movie when it arrives, but right now, they're all into 'Shrek.' "

Out Hawai'i Kai way, Sandra Kumabe, 49, a clerk typist at Haha'ione Elementary School, was somewhat uneasy about revealing her age, figuring Potter fans should be young.

"I've read all the books and have seen the first two movies, and will see the new one too," said Kumabe, who is relieved that adults can find escape and joy in the Rowling yarns. "She is such a good writer, with a rich imagination," she said.

Her daughter, Brooke, now 23, got her into reading the Potter books. "You can't put 'em down once you start reading," said Kumabe. "You're up late at night, saying, 'One more chapter, one more chapter,' and suddenly, it's real late."

She's unhappy that the current cast of regulars won't be in future "Potter" films, because of age.

"I wish they did it like 'Lord of the Rings' — boom, boom, boom, one after another, so you get to see more of the young actors," said Kumabe. She's never been a J.R.R. Tolkien fan ("Hard to get into it") and is awaiting the next Potter book ("Easy, fun reading").

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Wizardly hype will be wimpy in Hawai'i

Harry Potter fanatics who hope for hype in the arrival of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" tomorrow will be sad to know that there's a scarcity of hoopla with this one.

Pono Shim, who runs the concierge service at Consolidated's Ward theater complex, blames the studio, Warner Bros., and the author, J.K. Rowling, for the absence of celebration.

"There are no special events because of the tight restriction, from the author and the studio, who mandated what we can or cannot do," said Shim. "With this one, we cannot."

Advance tickets, however, may be purchased through the usual Consolidated Theatres and Signature Theatres box offices.

Shim said that he's had inquiries about midnight screenings or costume events — with a few requests to buy out a screening — but he can't plan anything because of the rigid guidelines governing the film's arrival. Consolidated will have a midnight launch tonight at its Ward Entertainment Complex.

"I know it will be huge," he said of anticipated interest, attendance and box office grosses. "But there won't be a buzz like 'Lord of the Rings.' "

That's not to say that individuals won't appear at showings with thunderbolts on their foreheads or capes around their shoulders or round-shaped spectacles sitting on their noses.

Signature Theatres, the other major exhibitor here, had no plans to welcome Harry wildly.

Shim said he hoped to get his hands on special Potter candy "but there's been very little cooperation from the studio." He has some Potter towels, blankets and pillows, but merchandising is controlled by the studio.

It doesn't help, he said, that Potter clubs or societies have not emerged despite the enormous popularity of the books. Borders, Waldenbooks, Barnes & Nobles and Bestsellers sell the books, of course, but have had no big hoopla centering on the film's arrival tomorrow.