Thanks for checking out our Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Review

Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Directed by: David Yates
Staring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
Released: November 19th, 2010

THE GENERAL IDEA

Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction — the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter, who has quit school and set out on his own mission to find the magical horcruxes that are the key to destroying Voldemort.

THE GOOD

This is by far the darkest and most serious Harry Potter film, and it owns it in spades. There is more action and tension in this movie that is a far cry from the whimsical wonder and pseudo danger that Potter faces in the first three films. There is still moments of humour, and light-heartedness, but this is a very dark film filled with some very serious content.

Dividing up this book into two films at first looked unneccessary considering how much of the story deals with them moving around and camping. Speculation suggested they should gloss over the “camping trip” as they did with the Quidditch match in Goblet of Fire, and then they could do this in one film. I for one am very glad they did not.

There was a LOT of character development in those camping scenes, and while the least action and excitement of the movie, they lead into that part of the story well and its impact is VERY effective. The long dry waits, the uncertainty and lack of direction they face and just how much this isolation leads to tension and conflict between the three main characters. Its all very well done and it would be a disservice to the film to have left all that out.

That being said, the 2 hours and 15 minute run time to get to the halfway point would have still made for a rushed story to take out that segment of the adventure.

Also, the emotional impact of everyone’s actions show just how serious and important their situation is. You are sucked into this war and they mean business this time. THIS PARAGRAPH CONTAINS A TINY SPOILER! I read the books and still saw it coming. But when Hedwig takes the shot for Harry and sacrifices himself this insignificant prop of a character’s actions are significant. You feel the pressure of the situation as the owl sacrifices herself for Harry.

And I freaking love Dobby in this. While he was an annoying thorn in your side in the previous films, his presence here is just as comical as it is brave and nobel.

Also, the point at which they split the movie is perfect. There is a mini climax midway that deals with a significant conflict and it sets the moment to breath and move forward with the bigger story without a cliffhanger ending.

THE BAD

There were a few moments where I was surprised they went with a shaky cam. Just really odd that they would have done these at such situations where there is no benefit. There was no action or movement involved, just an angle change or two that were not at all smooth. This was distracting.

And then when there was an intense chase scene as the trio are discovered at the end of their camping trip, they are fleeing from “snatchers” and its all so jumbly and scattered that you do not get the feeling of pursuit at all. Just confusion. Poorly done.

OVERALL

Mostly faithful to the books, and the slight variances are not so distracting that it takes away from the film. Irrelevant even. The film is effectively matured and this first part makes you just want to see how they are going to finish the series. I can’t wait for Summer 2011.

I give Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 a 9 out of 10