Warner Brothers wants me to review the Harry Potter’s Wizard’s Collection of all eight films, but without sending it to me. I did get a couple of the pieces from the box, and from what I can tell this is a very nice package, but I can’t speak to the contents of the box as a whole. I can understand why Warner Brothers didn’t send out review copies to every outlet, it’s a massive box – literally. This is an expensive set with each of the first six movies in their Ultimate Edition configurations, the last two films in what is sure to be their upcoming Ultimate Editions, and plenty of extras.
What did I get?
One of the extras included in the chest (apparently the box the set comes in looks like a chest, and would need to be in order to house the multitude of discs and extra) is a cloth “map” of Hogwarts and the surrounding area. It’s a nice piece, but not nearly as accurate as one might hope for. Still, one might want to hang it on their wall if so inclined, it’s quite a nice piece of decoration.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 have not received Ultimate Editions yet, and that’s partly being rectified with this set. The bonus discs that would be included in those editions are included here, and I did get those. These are parts 7 and 8 of Creating The World Of Harry Potter. If you’re into checking out what went into making the whole of the franchise, these documentaries are for you.
Also on one of these discs is a great hour long conversation with author J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe. There are deleted scenes, featurettes on the making of the two films, and more. These are the bonus discs fans really wanted when Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2 were initially released.
One final bonus disc is included in the box set is going to be exclusive to this set. At least for now. It includes a few other bonus features that are mysteriously absent from other releases. Several of them could have easily fit on one of the discs elsewhere in this collection (and in corresponding Ultimate Editions). There’s a great look at how Robie Coltraine was made to look larger than most of the cast members as Hagrid, the stunt doubles, and more. A lengthy (almost 90 minutes) documentary on the winding down of the franchise is obviously emotional to the cast and crew. A less than stellar countdown of the “top 50 moments” in the film series is presented on the disc as well.
Never getting Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 for review, I haven’t seen it, and I don’t know how the film series ends. I’m not sure what Warner Brothers is expecting, but according to some other reviews on the internet, actual reviews of the box set weren’t necessarily requirements for receiving one.