The long wait is over! The exciting finale begins in the form of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’! A much loved personal favourite of mine, in both book and film with the stories going from strength to strength. The good news is, the film did not disappoint, with many highs and lows, some tears and a generous amount of laugh-out-loud moments.
Deathly Hallows Part 1 begins just after the Ministry of Magic have accepted the fact that He Who Shall Not Be Named (aka Lord Voldemort) played by Ralph Fiennes is indeed back to haunt the wizard world and do his best to take it over with the final scene showing Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) killing off Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon).
This is a deeply dark film, starting off in an awesome scene at Malfoy Manor with some of Britain’s best actors sitting round the table. I think that’s something that strikes me every time I watch these movies is the talent that they have been able to pull in but then again, who wouldn’t want to be in a Harry Potter Film! This movie has been cut into two parts for the simple reason that if they’d tried to condense it into one movie, it would have been five hours long! It takes us up to the point where Voldemort steals the elder wand from Dumbledore’s grave after some heart-wrenching and moving moments. The British actors on display are astounding, making me proud to be part of the British film audience. If you have not read the books, you will be unaware of the final sacrifices that some characters make in this film, and you may be surprised, although the fantastic score gives the film an appropriately moody and foreboding feel.
It is a mature performance from Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, a far cry from the wooden acting and classic early deliverance of such lines as “I’m Hermoine Granger….you’ve got dirt on your nose, don’t you know?” As someone who is well aware that some are irritated by the main trio, but not suffering from this myself, we can safely say that Ron was not too annoying, although one scene was slightly disturbing between Harry and Hermoine as it does not leave too much to the imagination and I’d say was rather controversial for a 12A!
It is always a little concerning as to what the screenplay will include that is not true exactly to the book, however the screenwriter Steve Kloves, did a great job in a couple of scenes converted from J.K Rowling’s original novel which enables the viewer to gain a more emotional understanding of the situation that Harry, Ron and Hermoine find themselves in, very much alone in the wizarding world. The relationship between the trio is deepened and developed, and although there is much travelling and waiting around in the storyline, (on the one hand a tad irritating and somewhat dull), this enables good character development as they face powerlessness, loneliness and what seems to be an impossible task together.
The supporting cast deserves a mention for there are some outstanding performances, namely by newcomers to the Potter franchise, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and Nick Moran who plays the lead Snatcher. As always, the veterans to the movies were on top form with Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson all on top form as always. A cleverly directed wooded scene enables the viewer to come to terms with the peril the trio are in as Hermoine’s pungent perfume almost gives away their hiding place. It was a shame however that the Dursley’s send off was so dissimilar to the book. One clever insight into human nature by Rowling is the conversation between Dudley (Harry’s cousin) and Harry as the family leave Privet Drive. I don’t think we got to see Dudley’s face once with just the back of his head disappearing into the car. It was disappointing that this was not included in the film as I found it quite inspiring to see Dudley’s change of heart. However shortly after this is the brilliant ‘7 Harrys scene’ which is both incredibly funny and also well done in terms of CGI. More than once, it was obvious that this movie had originally been intended to be in 3d with snakes jumping out at the screen and various other shots which would have worked well. In some ways, not having the 3d element may have been a disappointment but all credit to the team for pulling it out of 3d at the last minute rather than it being a point which would come up in this review as ‘shockingly bad’ had they left it in!
Overall I was so excited to see the first in the final story of Hallows vs Horcruxes on the big screen, and director David Yates does not disappoint. There were some similarities with other stories and films, LOTR springs to mind, but instead of the One Ring we have the stolen locket (R.A.B) which makes the wearer very unhappy indeed! The ending I knew would be frustrating, as I would want the story to continue, and it was quite an abrupt end but this is actually only as they say, half the story.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) is out in cinemas on Friday 19th November and we strongly recommend you go and see it!
