Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 Review

• 15th Nov 2010

Ten years ago I disinterestedly acknowledged the phenomenon that was Harry Potter. Sure I watched those cute, fun movies about a wizarding world, featuring irritating little kids, lavish film sets and Robbie Coltrane as a big hairy giant. But it wasn’t until the Prisoner of Azkaban that I realised when viewing these stories on the screen you are missing a whole lot of extra detail, there were just too many plot holes to ignore. So I succumbed reluctantly and read the books. Fast forward to summer 2007 and I’d read all the books a number of times, owned all the currently released films on DVD, was the proud owner of the Lego Knight Bus and was queing up into the night to get my copy of The Deathly Hallows, finishing it within 24 hours of getting my hands on it.

That was three years ago and while the Harry Potter bandwagon is still chugging along at an alarming pace I’m sitting in the back beginning to whine “are we nearly there yet?”.

So I suppose the question is whether I am qualified to write an objective film review when evidently I’ve been through the obsession and come out the other side. I know every nuance of the plot line already so can I really see the film as just a film? This is exactly the problem however with Harry Potter, it is too ingrained into our cultural knowledge now for us to ever have a really objective view. Do you know anyone who doesn’t at least roughly know the ending?

Under the assumption that you’ve at least seen the previous films, The Deathly Hallows Part 1 picks up as normal just before the start of Hogwarts term. But this time Harry, Hermoine and Ron are not to go back and instead begin their journey to find and destroy the Horcruxes, (objects that Voldemort has divided his soul into), in the belief that this will make Voldemort mortal again and therefore killable.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 continues on with the same flaws and strengths these films have always had, although now we reach the end they seem to be intensified to a higher degree. What can be of certainty though is if you are a fan of the films you won’t be disappointed by this film. Since David Yates has been at the helm he has maintained a high level of visual spectacular, true enough to the books with only minor deviations and a quick pace to keep the attention of even the most ADD adult or child. From the opening scenes of The Deathly Hallows we are thrown into the final book of the saga, covering the important plot lines and with discreet nods to the minor ones. The visual effects are clearly the best so far and as you would expect from these films the locations are feasts for the eyes. We are approaching the end however so things needed to change.

This is the film that takes our characters into unknown territory, with Voldemort having come back to full power, terrorizing the wizarding world, gaining control over the Ministry of Magic and even (gasp) Hogwarts itself. The positioning of this film needed to be uncomfortable for those familiar with a set pattern (start of term, hijinks ensue, Christmas, more hijinks, end of term and a resolution for the school year) with Harry, Hermoine and Ron trawling the countryside lost and confused as to how they proceed from here (yes J.K what a good analogy of the issue of growing up and leaving school). It is this over running theme of not knowing the correct path and facing choices without guidance that Yates has done well to create in this penultimate film. You will miss Hogwarts and the familiarity, you will feel uncomfortable about the new environments you are thrown into and you will miss those characters we’ve grown to love, who are often featured onscreen for a brief glimpse (the Dursley’s have a disappointing amount of time).

What could be considered the main weakness of the film however, is the development of our three protagonists. We are supposed to feel upset by their bickering but having spent years watching this you just plainly do not care as you know it is just the standard plot line inserted every time. The nostalgic moments of lingering on times gone past is too much of an obvious nod to the fact we are coming to the end and grates on the nerves. It is indisputable the three actors have a great chemistry on-screen from years spent together but the intensity of the difficulties the characters face are not quite convincing. Strength of acting was always the risk taken when casting a group of 11 year olds for a franchise this big.

A problem that has run through the entire series of films is the fact they often have had to cram more into 150 minutes than is truly possible. There are the acknowledgements of certain plot lines but they are brief and while you have to accept they can’t all be explored in the films, certain events get lost in the rushing pace. There is a certain death early on that is just swept past and you do feel slightly cheated by it. It is difficult at times, however, to see how the script could have been changed. While some parts are brushed over others could be said to be given too much time. The long periods of just Harry, Ron and Hermoine do tend to drag but then this is also the case in the book and could be justified as it is supposed to reflect the frustrated feelings of the characters being stuck with only each other.

What I would applaud is the treatment of Hermoine in this film. The character is truly given justice and developed beyond the book. There are heart wrenching moments, found amongst Emma Watson’s furrowed brow, and whether it is just wishful thinking for an alternative universe on my part but the evident ability of the character’s use of magic made me wonder if there was a hint of the dark wizard she could become! Helena Bonham-Carter, as always, is a treat to watch in this role and the scenes between Bellatrix and Hermoine are beautifully unnerving to watch. Ron however, as usual, is rather one dimensional. A shame really, as even when he is supposed to be showing complex emotions he does come across as just the comedic relief.

Daniel Radcliffe has commented that every new film is darker and increasingly scary and he really is being sincere when stating this at the start of every new release. Although it is cliché I would have to agree, this one really is darker. There is a particular scene in Godric’s hollow that I was very curious of how it would be dealt with, bearing in mind small children will see the film. I won’t give anything away but it is very nicely done, just enough suggestion and glimpses to be terrifying but hopefully not give children nightmares. While there are moments that will make you jump in this film what I found refreshing, and one of its strengths, was the laugh out loud scenes and one-liners. The comedic element has been elevated to a higher notch, which is no bad thing and one of the more enjoyable aspects of the film.

Should you go and see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1? I’d say it is worth the extortionate price of a cinema ticket but I say this on the presumption that you’re a fan of the books, films or both. If this is your first dabble into the world I’d question what the heck you’re doing and to go back to the start. The moment at which they have ended this first part is entirely suitable and doesn’t feel at all forced. It is a point in the story that did need a significant acknowledgement and even against my better judgment I nearly welled up. The biggest drawback however with the whole thing is having to wait until July 2011 to put this obsession to rest…

Lauren Cracknell