Harry Potter?
Posted by Rob Herman at July 26th, 2007
I don’t like the magical combat in the Harry Potter universe. It’s more like a gunfight than a wizards’ duel, decided who can use dexterity and a quick tongue to land the first incapacitating hit first. And you can dodge curses, like they were Star Wars blaster fire or something!
Give me a one-syllable incapacitating spell (it doesn’t have to last for more than two seconds) that doesn’t shine a brightly colored tracer beam to dodge and I’ll rule the world of wizarding in a week.
They’ll probably accuse me of being gay.
Not to mention the extreme length of the spell names makes the whole thing incredibly awkward. It’s reminiscent to me of throwing a baseball — except now, you have to take aim and say “It is my desire to throw this baseball at you!”, in Greek, to actually get it over there.
Harry Potter’s entire magic system falls apart if you think about it even a little. (As does, well, just about every other aspect of his world.) They have an entire class who’s purpose is to teach them to say *magic words* that have powerful effects, and that’s all they have to know in order to use them. (Ok, the book occasionally mentions that you need to hold your wand just right or something, but it’s not very convincing.) Think about that: All you have to learn to do is say a word. Yet the kids still complain about how hard it is, and they can seemingly spend days or weeks just learning how to cast a single magic spell. I know muggles who failed out of high school but were still faster learners than Harry.
In addition to incantations, they also have potions… and making a potion takes a great deal of effort. I never got the impression that a potion is inherently more powerful than an incantation, so why would one choose to take the path that takes so much more effort?
It’s not even worth trying to work out the rules behind Harry Potter. The system is completely broken.
1) I realize this is a cop-out, which is why it’s my first and weakest defense, but it’s magic. If magic had definable laws and made sense, it would be science.
2) In the 6th book, it is established that fully-trained wizards, unless going for dramatic flair, can cast silently. Presumably, the reason we always hear spells pronounced at Hogwarts is to encourage proper technique, or some such.
3) It’s only touched on, but I believe we’re meant to assume that casting involves more than just the word & the wand - there are states of mind at hand (Patronus Charms), issues of very specific pronunciation, and probably other things as well.
4) Finally, I think it’s kind of assumed that there are effects obtainable with a potion that aren’t any other way - for example, Polyjuice. The only other ways for a person to shapeshift is as an Animagus (which limits you to one form, is extremely difficult to learn, and must be registered), or a Metamorphmagus (which is apparently a very rare talent, and can’t be taught).
Of course there are flashy lights everywhere! Have you forgotten the fundamental rule of fiction. Because it’s cool.