My kids grew up with Harry Potter. When my son was 9, he read the second book in the series in about 2 days. My daughter was a little young when the books first came out, so she has a stronger tie to the videos. (However, if you need to know something about the books, feel free to consult her!)

We had the books, we had puzzles, we had a board game, several card games and a strange floating ball game (which was merely a toy which was relabeled as Harry Potter when the books became popular).

Last night, we went to the midnight showing. (OK, technically it was this morning) A friend who works at the theater says people started lining up at about 11 a.m. We went about 8 p.m. The theater had things well organized. They even let us in several hours early. (Can you say “concession sales”?)

It may have been different in other places, but in Abilene, going that early really wasn’t necessary. They had enough showings that by the time all of the people who were waiting outside were seated, the theaters were only about half full. Some friends showed up about 10:30; their seats weren’t as good, but they had no trouble finding a place to sit.

The movie was very well done. Having read the books, I did get a bit frustrated with things that were left out, but that’s always going to be the case in a series of this scale. More than the omissions, I’m always bothered by the changes. I’ll try not to spoil anything, but I’ll say that the major climax of the series was a bit of a disappointment to me. It had great cinematic impact and was a great story. But the story as told in the book had much greater moral impact. In the movie, victory is won through technicalities, not through choices based on morality.

Still, it’s a lot of fun. If you’ve had any connections at all with the Potter series, you won’t want to miss this. [The lady sitting next to me hadn’t read the books and had only seen the first movie. I’m wondering how much she understood. At this point in the series, things are assumed, not explained.]

And I guess I have to say it: no, I don’t see Harry Potter as leading people into the occult. I know that some Christians have taught this. I don’t buy it. Fantasy books and movies have been around for a long time, and no one has found a relationship between them and ungodly religious practices. [A friend of mine from Peru told me of hearing a preacher explain how demonic the Smurfs are. OK]

Have a great weekend, folks!