I hear you Amos. Widely held opinions, like widely held beliefs, do not equate to universal truths.

This thread might be getting far afield of a few works of fantasy for some, as Don suggests. But then again, it may not be such a far-fetched conversation to others with an interest in these contemporary literary and film phenomenons.

Although I do think one story is being told in the contemporary epic mold (LOTR) and the other in the contemporary novel mold (Harry Potter), so in that sense you aren't talking about the same kind of storytelling.