The Greater Good (2013) Reviews

• Forgettable Potter fan film

  Horst_In_Translation2016-10-03

  "The Greater Good" is an American 17-minute short film from 2013, so this one is already 3 years old. The writer and director is Justin Zagri and this film here is one example of how he is among the most known Harry Potter fan film directors. I cannot say I am aware of any of the cast members here or who they are. The main character here is the young Albus Dumbledore and we find out about a period in his life long before Harry and the gang moved to Hogwarts or were even born. But there is still a lot of action going on for sure. I personally did not like the watch though. I can only see the most die-hard Potter franchise fans appreciate this one. It was all style about substance and it felt all about the special effects to me. The characters were one-dimensional and the acting was occasionally hammy and almost always over the top. Convincing subtlety is completely non-existent in here. That's why I was glad it was such a short film. It still felt way too long. the only female character adds nothing, except in the last 3 minute and this seemed like a slightly desperate attempt to still make her relevant somehow, to keep this from being a film with male characters only. Anyway, thumbs-down from me. Not recommended. From what I have seen so far, I really cannot see the appeal with Zagri.