Harry Potter Kids (DVD)
APPROX. 50 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 2008 - MPA RATING: NR
" Mostly a shallow publicity piece thinly disguised as documentary programming
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In order to capitalize on "Half-Blood Prince," Bio (The Biography Channel) is re-releasing a 50-minute program called "Harry Potter Kids" that was originally released in Dec 2008. No new street date has been listed, so it´s possible they´re just sending another round out to reviewers right now to get more attention. It´s mostly a shallow publicity piece thinly disguised as documentary programming but it should prove to be of some interest to fans. The program focuses on the three stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint with the most attention devoted to Radcliffe which makes a nice change from the web where Watson is easily the most searched of the three for reasons that were rather disturbing before she turned 18 last year and, come to think of it, are still pretty disturbing.
You won´t learn anything terribly surprising about the three stars, though I have to admit I was not aware of Grint´s starring role in "Thunderpants" (2002). Look it up if you must. There´s some good info about the arduous casting process, and Rowling´s insistence that the actors be British. Imagine an Americanized version of "Harry Potter." Yeesh. As a chronicle of the way we´ve seen them develop from kids into young adults, however, it´s probably worthwhile.
VIDEO
The program is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The interlaced transfer is mediocre, but probably about what you expect from a Bio program like this. It´s acceptable.
AUDIO
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. No subtitles are provided.
EXTRAS
None.
FILM VALUE
It will be fascinating to see where the actors go after the final two "Harry Potter" films wrap production. They´ll be in their 20s by then with no significant film credits outside of the franchise. There have already been early whispers of Watson becoming a Bond girl which would place her in the top two grossing franchises of all-time, but somehow just doesn´t seem right. Radcliffe´s turn in "Equus" shows that he already has a post-"Potter" strategy in mind. Grint, we all hope, will not attempt to re-boot the "Thunderpants" franchise.
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