Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Magic is Defiantly Here in this Harry Potter Outing

First let me say that I’ve always been less than thrilled with the Happy Potter movies. If I had to analyze why it’s because of how much I love the book series, and when I watch the movies all I can do is nitpick on how what I read in the book isn’t exactly represented on screen. While I’ve seen many film adaptations of books, never before have I been so critical of a film based on a book. Which is why I’m just as surprised to be saying here that I enjoyed the Happy Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 very much so. As both a movie and a representation of the book it was very satisfying.

In this first part of the two part film Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his Death Eaters have successfully taken over the magical world and are turning it into a fear and hate filled dictatorship. In order to stop him once and for all Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are on the run searching for Horcruxes, which are objects a witch or wizard would store a piece of their soul in to prevent them from crossing over into the afterlife. The task proves to be exceedingly difficult as the trio have very little information on how to find them or even destroy them.

Of all the movies this one is the most chock full of scenes and moments from the book, the result of splitting the story into two films. In some ways it’s almost too full, as there are some moments that fans of just the film series will be a bit in the dark about. One example is the wedding between Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson) and Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy). While their impending nuptials were a significant sub-plot of the sixth book it’s never addressed in the sixth movie. I don’t really see a problem with this, for if anything the added plot points are more of an incentive for people who haven’t yet read the books to read them. I just feel it should be pointed out that the movie brings so much from the source material that moments that were left out of previous movies are here in full force. There are also a couple moments that weren’t originally in the book. While in the book Hermione talks about how she magically altered her parents’ memories so they forget they have a daughter in order to protect them, here we actually get to see it happen. For the most part the added material worked well in the movie.

The performances are top notch, especially from Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. While Daniel Radcliffe is also very good there are times he’s almost overshadowed by his two co-stars. Though one of the most amazing performances in the movie is by Helena Bonham Carter as the psychopathic Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange. She takes this completely vial character and makes you savor every moment she is on screen.

In conclusion this is a very good movie and should definably be seen. It’s full of action, romance, suspense, and comedy. It’s so good you’ll wish the second part was being released next week instead of six months from now. So go out and have a enjoyable night at the cinema by seeing Happy Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one.

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