Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
I can't believe we've nearly reached the end of the Harry Potter series. In filmic terms, this decade has belonged to J.K. Rowling's speccy wizard and it'll be strange to not have an HP film to look forward to after Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens in July. Still, enough pondering an' shit. I've got a film to review.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here! It's Harry Potter. He's all bright and shiny and new again- just in time for the Dark Lord."
Deathly Hallows Part 1 again follows the trials and tribulations of Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they battle against the evil, snake-faced Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his Death Eaters. The film is turgid with plot, both as a stand alone film and as a continuation of what's gone before. Much like Half-Blood Prince, the film expects you to know what has happened in previous installments and who every single character is. This is fine for die-hard fans, but everyone else may get a little lost. It's a shame too, as I would enjoy the ride up until Thingy from Wotsit came up and my brain would go into IMDB mode, trying to remember who they were instead of what was actually happening. My usual actor comments would take up the rest of this review considering the sheer Brit thespian power on display, so I'll just say that Daniel Radcliffe didn't annoy me as much in this one. Of the new additions though, Bill Nighy pops up and basically plays Bill Nighy, but asks us to call him Rufus Scrimgeour. Rhys Ifans also makes a welcome appearance as Luna Lovegood's father, Xenophilius.
The one thing you'll hear about this film more than anything else is how "dark" it is. I hate to add my voice to the mooing masses, but they're right. Shit gets dark. The Potter films have always had a macabre edge to them, but this was normally balanced out by classroom shenanigans and general magical mirth at Hogwarts. Deathly Hallows moves away from this, and indeed Hogwarts, leaving the fortified castle walls behind and opting instead for increasingly cold-looking forests. Our trio are constantly on the run and there's little time for arsing about with chocolate frogs this time round. A comparison to a film like The Bourne Supremacy may not be as ridiculous as it may first seem. I would talk about certain departures, but won't just in case I get hit with the "you ruined the film for me" brick again. Suffice to say, the girlier members of the audience may have to choke back a few sobs.
In terms of specifics, there's a lot to like here. The scene that left the most impact on me was the beautiful animated sequence that tells the story of the Deathly Hallows. The shadow marionette visuals coupled with the downright creepy story work fantastically well. The opening action sequence is good too, if only for the novelty of seeing cars getting flipped Hollywood style in a Harry Potter film. The brief but effective fight in a greasy spoon was also great. In terms of sheer oddery though, the dance Harry and Hermione share to Nick Cave's "O Children" takes some beating. It's not bad, it just feels out of place. As I said, there aren't many lighter moments but if the sight of seven Harry Potters ( including one in a bra) doesn't raise a smile, I don't know what to suggest.
"If Voldemort's really taken over the Ministry, none of the old places are safe."
I enjoyed the hell out of Deathly Hallows. Whilst I do feel that the sheer amount of plot is starting to drag the series down, it remains entertaining.You may now go and see it. You even have my permission to start getting excited about Part 2. Jesus, I'm fantastic to you lot.
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