I was one of thousands who flocked to their local cinemas to watch the first part of the last installment in the “Harry Potter” series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,” at 12:05 AM on November 19, 2010. I’ve been a huge fan of the books since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone initial release. When I heard that movies were to be made based upon these books, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to see if my imagination would be met when the films were released. And I wasn’t disappointed. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” followed damn close to the source material, only leaving out small bits, the biggest of which was the tasks put into place to reach the Philosopher’s Stone. Then came the theatrical release of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Again, I was not disappointed. They left out some bits from the book, but nothing too detrimental to the story. But, from there, the films fell from grace, a bit.
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” failed to meet my, and many other fans’, expectations based upon the book. Following the death of Richard Harris, who portrayed “Professor Dumbledore” in the first 2 installments, a new “Professor Dumbledore” was found in Michael Gambon. This seemed like the natural pick, but left some missing the wonderful Richard Harris. This one followed decently close to the book, but left quite a bit out. And, on top of the missing material, left a bad taste in the mouths of fans for its unusual amount of “campy” and “cheesy” dialogue.
Then, with the release of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” a lot of faith was lost with the fans of the books. This cinematic interpretation of J.K. Rowling’s fourth book, took a lot of liberties with the source material. Leaving out quite a bit from the book(reasons, as stated by WB, being that the book was too long to be fully interpreted into film), but adding in it’s own elements. Such elements included was the, rather ridiculous, “tongue tick” of “Barty Crouch, Jr.” The entire story of his escape from Azkaban, which was an element of the story I felt was needed. As well as making “Professor Dumbledore” a much more emotional being than he actually was in ANY of the books. Not to mention the rushed, piss-poor version of the Tri-Wizard Maze at the climax of the “Tri-Wizard Tournament.”
I was less excited than usual when they released “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in the cinemas. I wasn’t nearly as disappointed as I was with the previous film, but some things left out rubbed me the wrong way. Mainly the entirely nixed “St. Mungo’s Hospital” scene. This, I thought was a much better, more poetic way to reveal “Neville Longbottom’s” family history. As well as the awkward transition from this epic battle between “Voldemort” and “Albus Dumbledore,” to “Harry Potter” and “Professor Dumbledore” sitting quietly, calmly discussing the death of “Sirius Black.” In the film, this scene was much more intense, also alluding to “Dumbledore’s” mysterious past. Another thing about this movie really pissed me off: The exclusion of “Dobby the Freed Elf,” my favorite character from the books.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” probably the most rushed and packed feeling of the books, translates that same feeling into the movie. This is my least favorite of the books, but is one of my Top 3 of the films. I really felt that Danielle Radcliffe did a fantastic job. But, the shining star of this movie, was Tom Felton. This book, and film, stopped being about “Harry Potter’s” struggle, and became about “Draco Malfoy’s” struggle to either do what he thought would save his family, or trust the wizard he had been raised to hate. Tom Felton really did his best performance in this film.
So, now to the reason that most of you will have clicked on this link: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” Now, while most people were disappointed when word came out that they were going to split the final book into 2 separate films, I was excited. I knew that, while most considered it a plot to generate dollars for the “Fat Cats,” that this meant that the films would follow, more closely, the events of the final book. When previews began to appear, I became like a child in a toy store. I purchased my ticket a week in advance, as to be sure to secure a seat for what was sure to become a sold-out show.
Finally, the night came: November 19, 2010, 12:05 AM, and we were off. The film starts a bit differently than the book, but that is ok, because we get our first glimpse of “Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimogeur,” as he was absent in the previous film. I was happy to hear that Bill Nighy would be portraying the Minister of Magic, but was disheartened after the opening scene. He seemed to be overacting a bit, and just seemed to be doing a repeat performance of “Davy Jones” from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” I was expecting “Jack Sparrow” to saunter into the scene.
Then, we get to what was the opening scene in the book, only slightly different. We see “Severus Snape” flying through the air, landing in-front of a tall, iron gate. Walking at a steady pace, he walks straight through it. In the book, he was accompanied by “Yaxley,” another Death Eater. Everything else following seems to shadow the book rather closely. Following, we are treated to 2 scenes not included in the book, but really helps to advance the character development of “Ron Weasley” and “Hermione Granger.” But, these scenes came with the price of not getting that sense of closure felt in the book during the third chapter, “The Dursley’s Departing.” But, I guess that wasn’t all that important to the development of the main plot.
When the time comes for Harry to depart from Number Four, Privet Drive, the events are very similar to that of the book, with a couple of changes. Number one would be how Harry is discovered to be the real “Harry Potter.” In the book, it is a spell, that has become a bit of a “trademark” of Harry’s, that outs Harry. But the change made flows directly into the second, major, change: the unfortunate death of “Hedwig.” In the book, she dies in a rather anti-climactic way, stuck in her cage. In the film, Harry is discovered to be the real “Harry Potter” when Hedwig, who has been released from her cage by Harry before they take-off, attacks a Death Eater who is attempting to kill Harry. She is struck with the Killing Curse, giving her a “Hero’s Exit.” This change was welcomed, as I felt that it gave “Hedwig” her “moment.”
The filmmakers decided to leave off the introduction of “Tonks’s” parents, choosing to have Harry and Hagrid land outside of The Burrow. Everything from now, until the departure of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, is very condensed, but that is fine. The only gripe I have about it is that when “Rufus Scrimogeur” appears to give Harry, Ron, and Hermione what was left to them by “Albus Dumbledore,” no mention is made of the absurdity that the Ministry of Magic took 31 days to examine Dumbledore’s belongins, thinking that he left the 3 of them items to help in the fight against “Lord Voldemort,” and not wanting the Ministry to look bad. Nor is there mention about the cover-ups by the Ministry. And, again, missing was the intense confrontation between Harry and Scrimogeur.
When they depart, the film follows the events in the book very closely, omitting a lot of the dragging traveling scenes. But, thankfully, they kept in(and honored very much) the scene in the book when Ron, who has kept the locket on for far too long, argues with Harry, and leaves them behind. Rupert Grint really did an outstanding job in this scene. Then, we stumble along a bit, until we reach the much anticipated “Godric’s Hollow” scene.
This was everything I expected it to be, right down to “Bathilda Bagshot’s” secret. When reading the book, I was curious how they could possibly make a scene in-which a snake possesses a corpse, and then does battle with Harry and Hermione. But, David Yates did a fantastic job of making this a reality. Next up, is the return of Ron. This was an excellently done scene, which included the destruction of the first Horcrux, in this book. It was beautifully shot, and the graphics were exquisite. With the only exception being the, awkward, semi-nude, make-out vision presented to Ron, of Hermione(whom he has taken a real liking to) and Harry(his, obvious, best friend), to dissuade him in destroying the Horcrux. The feeling, during this part, was of distinct discomfort, sprinkled with a few chuckles.
Everything following these events is almost directly read out of the book, leading up to the climax of the film. I was extremely happy with where, and how, they decided to end this film. I felt that the scene showing “Voldemort” destroying “Albus Dumbledore’s” sarcophagus to retrieve the “Elder Wand,” which was buried with the great wizard, was expertly done. But, the greatest moments of this film, is in the final moments of my favorite character: “Dobby the Freed House Elf.”
I won’t lie, I was a bit bummed when I read the book, when I reached the part in-which Dobby dies. Even going so far as to say that my eyes became misty, but I never imagined that this wonderful, understated character, would get the glorious treatment that he did, in his final moments on film. They kept in his speech, showing that he truly loved Harry Potter and his friends, and would do whatever he could to protect them. The speech was emotional, and wonderfully spoke by Toby Jones.
So, in conclusion, I must say: This film is probably the best one of the series, in-terms of acting, character development, and story-telling. Things could have been changed to portray characters better, such as “Scrimogeur” and “Bill Weasley.” I also wish that “Viktor Krum” would have been included. Although he only had a small part in the book, it was important. This film really feels like the “Empire Strikes Back” of the series, and leaves me excitedly anticipating the final installment. This is a great movie for, not only Potter fans, but film buffs, as well.
Go check it out.