Harry Potter film sets the stage for a fantastic magical conclusion.
Artwork courtesy of Warner Bros
The Harry Potter franchise has come a long way since its beginning as a book by J.K Rowling. With a fan base bigger than some of today’s most famous pop stars it’s no surprise that the 7th film in the series has a lot of high expectations that were met in this latest episode.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the most complete film of the franchise in every aspect; from the actors-who have fully grown into their roles and matured in acting style-to the script and directing by David Yates that exceeds all of his other work on the previous films. Being a casual Harry Potter fan, I haven’t read all of the books and I didn’t really get too excited before the release of each previous film. What knowledge I have about the series comes from watching the movies and learning about the book from friends who are die-hard “wizards” themselves. It was a treat to see this movie without the standards a hardcore Harry Potter fan might have.
This film stands out among the blockbusters that have been released this year and is a cut above all the other films in the Harry Potter series. The plot of this latest adventure is different than others from the beginning, in that Harry, Ron, and Hermione abandon their education at Hogwarts to embark on a journey to destroy the evil Lord Voldemort once and for all. The formula from the previous movies has completely changed which makes for a suspenseful and exciting adventure. It starts out with an emotional scene where Hermione and Harry are forced completely leave behind their normal lives. Emma Watson demonstrates her range as a developed actress in this scene as she erases her parents’ memories of her ever being a part of their lives. While her parents sit distracted at the television Hermione casts a spell that causes her to vanish from every family photo in the house. From that point on, the entire movie is like a film reel of escalating suspense and tension.
Our heroes are forced on a quest reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, in which they must destroy objects of incredible power. The urgency of this mission is apparent throughout the whole movie. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are constantly dodging Voldemort and his regime of death eaters who have taken over the wizard world and are rounding up muggle-born wizards. In one scene, the trio of young wizards devises a plan to escort Harry to a safe place to move forward on his journey. The group of wizards does not all survive and some major characters are split up for the rest of the movie. The story in general is much darker and a much more mature story but it makes sense because the fans of the movie have grown up with the release of each film.
Some of the themes and images in the movie are frightening but it maintains the playful magic that never ceases to fascinate audiences. One scene where the trio must infiltrate the prestigious Ministry of Magic is a prime example of the balance Director David Yates has achieved in combining elements of fun and serious themes. After drinking a magic potion, the three young wizards are magically transformed into Ministry of Magic workers. It’s funny to hear the kids whiny voices come from their older doppelgangers. They awkwardly walk around the Ministry of Magic, making goofy attempts to act casual and blend in with the other wizards. In the background of this scene, there are propaganda posters, wanted papers, and wizards being ruthlessly intimidated. It’s a great juxtaposition and it serves its purpose in getting audiences ready for the new direction of the story.
My only minor problem with this movie is how the whole film seems to be leading up to something big. Unfortunately that something never comes. Yates does a great job of building suspense and making the audience feel like a part of the story. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione are exhausted traveling across mountains and forests, I felt that exhaustion. When Harry becomes weak and irritable from carrying such a heavy burden, l felt his pain. When the group argues about their inability to complete their task, I felt that sense of doubt and frustration. The problem is, the group truly doesn’t make any major bounds towards a conclusion in the entire movie. There are plenty of great moments that will leave audiences wanting more, but they never really get the big payoff. It makes sense for the film to end in a cliffhanger, but some viewers will be left disappointed after spending two and a half hours in a movie theatre watching a fireworks show with absolutely no fantastic finale.
Overall this film satisfied me and I’m sure it will appease both Harry Potter fanatics and casual viewers like myself. This is the greatest Harry Potter movie to date. ★★★★☆
