Potter-Watch (24 of 77): Converted Expectations

We're a good five weeks until the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and Warner Bros. has been playing all their cards perfectly this time around. The release is right around the corner, and all the hype has remained calm and cool. People aren't clawing off their own skin in anticipation, wishing they could see the film now rather than later. The marketing outside the trailers and TV spot has been reduced to these finely crafted posters (featured within this post) that have such a visual presence to them. We haven't yet received an onslaught of clips from the film, which one of the things that most fans were unhappy about in the months previous to Half-Blood Prince.

However, what is perhaps the smartest move that Warner Bros. could have made is the previously reported decision to release Part 1 in 2D, rather than rush the rest of the conversion like The Last Airbender did. This is a genius decision, not only for promotion of Part 1, but Part 2 as well. A sub-par 3D conversion for the first installment would've definitely distracted from the experience, and perhaps corrupt critical analysis of their work, which they need to be positive if they want any hopes of a Best Picture nomination. This not only works as a classy decision to impress fans for the here and now, but they've also earned enough trust for audiences to fully invest in the 3D version of Part 2, which will push grosses through the roof in a way reminiscent of Avatar.

The 3D conversion news doesn't end there. Today, it was announced that Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince would be carefully converted for a 3D Bluray release. They haven't said when these will come, but some infer that a theatrical re-release may be in order. I may be on board if the cinematography for Half-Blood Prince wasn't so dark, but I'll still bite. Comment below on what you think of all this classy activity on Warner Bros. behalf. Until next week, I leave you with a teaser of my upcoming review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets:

Episode two in J.K. Rowling's epic tale definitely suffers from the sophomore slump, lacking the freshness of the first film. The film chronicles Harry's second year at Hogwarts, which comes mostly consists of a plot seemingly snatched out of an investigative procedural like CSI. A series of attacks on muggleborns has left them paralyzed, and the only hint at who the culprit might be is the mysterious Chamber of Secrets and the Heir of Slytherin. So yes. The climax of this film will occur in a dark chamber with Harry facing off against somebody who he thought was a friend, but he isn't. Seem a bit familiar to you?