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Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Directed by David Yates
Written by J.K. Rowling (novel) and Steve Cloves (screenplay)
On general release from 19th November 2010
Reviewed by
The final Harry Potter film has finally
arrived...well half of it anyway. But never fear, for this is the best
one of them all (depending on how Part Two holds up), as the wizardry
franchise nears its end. I was treated to the film during a late night
showing and was left mesmerized by how dark and adventurous this edition
was, as we are slowly but surely bidding farewell to one of cinema's most
successful and imaginative franchises. The franchise - like Harry Potter
himself - has grown and matured as the years have progressed. Part I of
the Deathly Hallows is ultimately
a strong build- up to what will be a triumphant, bittersweet finale for
everybody. In fact when you do think back to Harry
Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), you forget how
different the young actors were and how innocent the story was. But as
the films have gone on, the dark element has proved why these later films
have earned a lot more credibility than the start of the franchise.
Following on from the previous film involving the death of Albus Dumbledore
(Michael Gambon), Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron
Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) know that their
only hope is to find and destroy the Horcruxes before their enemy Lord
Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) restores his full powers by killing Harry. Voldemort's
task is to track down Dumbledore's wand and use it to gain control of
the wizardry world and starts this by sending Death-Eaters and Snatchers
into the Muggle world, killing the mudbloods with the assistance of witch
sidekick Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter). After gaining help from the
Order of the Phoenix which includes Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson) and
Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) in a thrilling aerial chase sequence, Harry knows
his mission is to find the Horcruxes and gets the help from Ron and Hermione.
They head on an epic quest across the country in which they find themselves
in London's busy streets, trying to claim one of the Horcruxes from former
nemesis Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) at the Ministry of Magic, trekking
through many fields and forests and then learning about the Deathly Hallows
(explaining what the title of the book/film meant), which are crucial
to Harry's quest to overcome Voldemort. However many dangers threaten
the objective, not only from Voldemort but from each other as the pressure
of the task takes its toll. But the long-term association between the
trio must hold its own in order to save the wizardry world from evil.
Right
from the very start, when the Warner Bros logo appears, this film feels
different. The colours are grey, the sound is low and even the famous
theme from John Williams seems to have given way to a much darker tone.
It doesn't even feel like a Harry Potter film anymore. It makes the first
two films from Chris Columbus feel like they are from a whole different
universe. You get the impression this is the Empire
Strikes Back of the franchise, setting itself up for the storming
finale in July 2011. David Yates' direction is he captures the actors
and actually makes them seem mature and realistic without coming off as
forced. Screenwriter Steve Kloves doesn't forget to add the mood and gloom
to the story as it slowly unfolds, but like other Potter films he adds
some light humour to the film when it needs it. This proves a key with
making this not only a visual spectacle, but also a character-driven ensemble
as proven by its stunning British cast (try getting John Hurt, Alan Rickman,
Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Helena
Bonham Carter, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs and Bill Nighy in the same
film again). Alexandre Desplat's score also makes a difference, as it
literally puts you into the world with its beautiful, harmonious, and
emotional tones. Thanks to the decision to split the final book into two
films, Yates doesn't hurry through these scenes. Instead, he allows the
audience to experience the frustration, jealousy and uncertainty of his
characters, and allows for Radcliffe, Watson and Grint to display some
fine acting with the lack of distraction from any visual effects.
Radcliffe makes every scene his own, and makes us laugh and gasp and
cry if he wants to. His transmission of emotion when a certain character
dies is breathtaking. Watson shows growth in her acting and seems more
confident than ever, while Grint shows some growth in his acting too by
the emotional scenes given. Fiennes conducts the foul-faced Voldemort
with such terror and theatrical charisma; he's assured to earn a seat
in the category of cinema's greatest villains. Bonham-Carter is also menacing
as Bellatrix. Both Bill Nighy and Rhys Ifans make their debuts in the
franchise, but have only brief roles (the latter's more significant),
while the likes of Rickman, Staunton, Isaacs and Hurt also contribute
in their own way. In many parts it is thrilling, as there are quite a
number of intense action sequences which are done with well-made visual
effects. However, the action sequences are perfectly blended in with the
gripping, dramatic moments. They don't feel heavy handed and it's beautiful
to look at. The additional time for the film also turns out to be a blessing
for fans and audiences, allowing them the opportunity to see their favourite
supporting characters back on screen - most importantly of course Dobby
the Elf who returns to give the movie a touching finale. The inclusion
of the animated sequence about the origins of the Deathly Hallows is an
absolute masterclass and very beautiful to both watch and listen, a very
good bonus to those who never read the book but get given the specific
details here.
There is a sense of isolation and loss that plays out in the middle stretch
in the film which may be tedious for some impatient viewers - particularly
young children who expect to see magical action scenes. The darkness of
the film may put parents off taking their children, especially the scenes
of Voldemort's pet snake which attacks Harry. Of course, the main factor
for the film's problem is again, the decision to cut certain scenes or
take away the emotional impact of certain key moments (the death of a
couple of key characters early in the film are only briefly mentioned
and forgotten straight away). This is a shame considering the decision
to divide the book into two films, but still you get your entertainment
from what's in this film, and the addition of new scenes including Harry
and Hermione dancing, which is beautifully done.
Harry Potter is a phenomenon, not
even Twilight will overcome it. But,
like all things, it must come to an end eventually. This is the beginning
of the end, and fans wouldn't have it any other way.
Comment left by Tam on 24th November, 2010 at 19:35 Quality review mate, it's only a matter of time...
Comment left by Julie K on 3rd December, 2010 at 15:24 Nice to see the Mersey Tunnel featuring near the start too!
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