Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

As we come to the close of the worldwide phenomenon that is the 'Harry Potter' series, it's hard not to feel a mixture of excitement and sadness in waiting for the grand finale. Yet here is the much-anticipated Part 1 of the final film, and let me say that it's certainly a delicious appetiser for what should be a grand main course. 'Deathly Hallows: Part 1' is a fresh and dark addition to the series, with many slow scenes reflecting deep emotion, and other suspenseful and wonderfully thrilling action sequences. The film hits a good balance between the two, despite the middle section perhaps dragging slightly. Yet, for fans that have come to love the characters and care for them, some solid character development does not go astray. The acting in the series has never been better from the three leads (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint), all of whom shine brightly in their colourful roles. It is true that the absence of Hogwarts, and therefore a lot of the fun and humour of the supporting cast, does take some of the joy and life out of the film, yet it is not meant to be joyful and happy. This missing substance is compensated for by the wonderful sets and landscapes that grace the screen, and scenes of stunning visual effects that look and sound spectacular. The plot is very faithful to the books, much more so than the previous three instalments, yet lacks the back-story that allowed previous instalments to work on their own. To understand 'Deathly Hallows', one must be familiar with the series; otherwise it will be near incomprehensible. For fans such as myself, the adaptation works well. Non-fans may beg to differ. For those not acquainted with the seventh book, 'Deathly Hallows' is essentially a road trip. The protagonists, Harry, Ron and Hermione are on the move trying to find Horcruxes (pieces of the arch-villain Voldemort's [Ralph Fiennes] soul that must be destroyed in order to kill him), and hence tensions rise within the group as progress does not seem to be in sight. The three friends no longer have the help and the safety of Hogwarts and its pupils, and witness a world that is being torn apart by Voldemort's supporters, the Death Eaters. A number of confrontations and complications follow as the trio go on their way, including a violent and explosive sky battle, a struggle within the Ministry of Magic involving the returned Dolores Jane Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), a terrifying encounter with Voldemort's snake Nagini and a climatic skirmish at Malfoy Manor. Of course, it is disappointing to see some major changes to the plot, with some key scenes left out, yet interestingly some new and impressive additional scenes which do not appear in the book (or have merely been mentioned), are present which is pleasing to see. There has been controversy as to whether the decision to split the film into two parts was a valid decision. From seeing this film, it seems folly to suggest that it should have been one great film. Either it would have been disastrously long, or it would have left out many important details that are pivotal to the plot. Part 1 sits at a good length, and the split can only be seen as a disappointment due to the fact that it is another eight months until we see the complete 'Deathly Hallows'. In comparison to other 'Potter' films, it definitely ranks among my top favourites, though I am fonder of the later, darker and more mature films in series.
This is not a movie for kids, it is a movie for the fans who have watched this series grow with maturity since it's beginning. With humour, tragedy and romance, 'Deathly Hallows Part 1' is also aesthetically filmed and well acted, and has all the essentials to make a great film, even if it doesn't quite feel complete yet.