Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Blu-ray Movie Review

Old friends (and fiends).

Reviewed by Randy Miller III August 25, 2022

Timed a little late to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film, 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Philisopher's Stone, depending where you live), the HBO Max original production Return to Hogwarts serves as a 20-year "class reunion" for the cast and crew of all eight films and the books they're sourced from. Judging by the material recorded for Warner Bros.' Blu-ray edition, this looks to have been a rather lavish affair with high production values -- not just your usual thrown-together cast reunion for a daytime talk show or held at a loud, cavernous pop culture convention. It's something I'd image just about all fans of the franchise will enjoy, regardless of age.

The 103-minute affair begins with clips of select cast members "travelling" to the event, as well as a rather drawn-out cast and crew introduction that announces the likes of Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Robbie Coltrane (Reubeus Hagrid), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix LeStrange), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), and Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). Other familiar faces appear on-screen such as actors Oliver and James Phelps (the Weasley brothers), actor Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), actor Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell), actor Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), actor Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), actor Toby Jones (Dobby the House elf), actor Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), producer David Heyman, director Chris Columbus, director Alfonso Cuarón, director Mike Newell, producer/director David Yates... and yes, even author J.K. Rowling (or "she who will not be named", if you're a social justice warrior), who was apparently recorded back in 2019 for Warner Bros.' London Studio tour.

Format-wise, Return to Hogwarts combines individual talking head chats with more elaborate group interviews -- rarely more than two or three at a time -- recorded on sets from various Harry Potter films, further spicing up the production with photos and video clips of several featured participants in the their much younger days. Other diversions include vintage clips of screaming fans at crowded bookstores (hey, remember crowded bookstores?), footage of auditions and screen tests, candid moments from the set, a much-too-short acknowledgement of deceased cast and crew members, and character art montages. All told, the 103-minute show is divided into four primary "chapters" (each covering the production timeframe of two movies), with other small themed segments popping up along the way.

Of course, exactly what is discussed during Return to Hogwarts is the real draw here and, while there aren't any major revelations beyond the standard assortment of reunion-grade topics, what's here at least offers some surface-level fun for new and die-hard fans alike. Topics of interest include various participants' first exposures to the original books and involvement with the movies, the long and involved casting process, audition memories, the movies' initial and continued popularity, leaky sets and other behind-the-scenes roadblocks. keeping the energy on set, making movies from a child's perspective, meeting British acting legends at a young age, the characters' growth during all eight films, going with a British director for the fourth film, raging hormones, learning to dance, the films' changing scales and atmospheres, the challenge of returning to these roles and films as the years went on, friction behind the scenes, the Harry Potter fanbase, the funeral for Emma Watson's hamster (R.I.P., little dude), and much more.

My only criticism with the show as a whole is perhaps unavoidable, given COVID-19 and other scheduling challenges: Return to Hogwarts never coalesces into the more all-inclusive group chat vaguely promised by its cover art and other promotional materials so, while most of the gang's all here, there just here at separate times. Nonetheless, Warner Bros. offers a keepsake Blu-ray edition whether you've seen Return to Hogwarts on HBO Max or not and, while the A/V presentation likely exceeds that streaming version, a lack of exclusive extras spoils the party somewhat.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Return to Hogwarts' high production quality gives it an overall visual aesthetic similar to some of the movies, with an overall dark and moody but inviting appearance that looks better than expected for a show of this type. Fine detail, black levels, color saturation, and density are all first-rate and, even when condensed on an admittedly modest BD-25, there are no flagrant compression issues or other such eyesores to deal with here. Vintage clips, either of videotaped material or rarities such as local news segments, look as good as their source material will allow and are thankfully presented in their original aspect ratios. Scenes from the various Harry Potter films likewise look similar to their Blu-ray (or perhaps downsampled 4K) counterparts. The screenshots really do speak for themselves so, at the risk of cutting this video write-up a little short, Return to Hogwarts is simply a very good-looking Blu-ray that, short of a full-fledged 4K edition with HDR10+/Dolby Vision enhancement, shows little to no real room for improvement.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Not surprisingly, this DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix is mostly front- heavy as the primary footage -- recently recorded interviews, as well as older behind-the-scenes clips and other tidbits -- really needs no more than two channels to get the job done. These sound uniformly good, with audible separation as well as a few unavoidable dips in quality during the VHS- grade segments, but overall offers a cohesive listening experience. Surrounds are sparingly used and, aside from the sweeping intro and a few other moments here and there, exclusively reserved for film clips and likewise sound as good as their respective 4K/Blu-ray counterparts. Overall, a fine effort with no real flaws to speak of.

Optional subtitles, including English (SDH), are offered during the film and bonus featurette.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in an eco-friendly keepcase (we're back to these again?) with attractive cover artwork, a matching slipbox, and a Digital Copy redemption code. Extras are minimal, which isn't surprising.

• Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Featurette (2:25) - More of a trailer than even a basic EPK, this disappointingly short and surface-level piece offers a brief overview of the film with recycled comments from featured cast and crew members. I'd rather have seen at least a few deleted scenes.

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The HBO Max original production Return to Hogwarts serves as a 20th anniversary reunion for cast and crew members of the immensely popular Harry Potter film series and their source novels, allowing most of the key players enough time to at least share their most cherished -- or in some cases, least favorite -- memories of the eight films and their respective shoots, as well as reflections on growing up as part of a worldwide phenomenon and the oppressive fame that comes with it. Still, I'm not always kind to these types of stand alone releases, as Return to Hogwarts feels like it should've been part of a series-spanning boxed set rather than its own $25 disc. Even so, the series has its fair share of die-hard fans so, if you count yourself among them, this one's likely for you (albeit a bit hard to find right now).