Usually when one is looking forward to a movie, the anticipation is greater than the movie itself. Such was not the case with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I.” Although the excitement in the room was almost tangible, the movie still managed to blow expectations out of the water, even though a few weak points lessened the perfection.
The next-to-last installment of the series was understandably grim and dark, and our trio of protagonists go through quite an ordeal as the plot thickens and prepares fans for the climactic last movie. Somehow there were still humorous moments, but they were rarely lighthearted. One of the large themes explored in this movie that differs from earlier films is isolation, which is explored from the opening. The long-time Harry Potter fan feels as if they are preparing him or herself for the end of the beloved series, just as the characters are preparing to meet their fates.
Although the movie was powerful and meaningful for Harry Potter fans, one of it’s weaknesses was that the first half of the suspenseful end couldn’t quite stand alone. This was due to the fact that the book wasn’t meant to be cut in half; the ebb and flow of the plot and distribution of important events suffered because of it.
However, the fact that there is one more movie in the monumental series pleases both the people who aren’t ready for everything to be over and the movie company that ends up making more money. The only people who suffer are those who haven’t read the books yet and therefore don’t know what’s going on, and let’s face it, these movies aren’t made to be seen just as movies, they’re meant to make a largely appreciated series into real life for its fans.
The latest chapter of the Harry Potter movies was by far the most melancholy and included more horror than any others. Truly not a kids movie, the premiere audiences were filled with young adults. These were the people who grew up with Harry and are coming of age with him right now.
If you judge these movies by how well they correspond with the book, then this one would achieve a fairly high grade. They followed the plot well and only changed certain details not absolutely necessary. Two factors that were noticeably different from the book were the diminished importance of the relationship between Dumbledore and Harry, and the questionable sexual tension between Harry and Hermione at times. Despite these and other small differences, the movie was pleasingly true to the book, especially when emphasizing the factor of the harsh young adulthood of the trio and the longstanding theme of racism that is found throughout the books.
Overall, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” was a pleasing addition to the series of movies, or at least for fans. The actors, particularly Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson were better than ever, and the special effects were well put together. The worst thing accompanying the film is that fact that fans will have to wait over half a year for the conclusion of the series, which is paradoxical because at the same time, not many people are ready for the legendary saga to end.
