Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes
Director: David Yates
So it's the beginning of the end for Harry Potter.
This first part of the final film sees dark times ahead for the world. With Lord Voldemort (a sinister Fiennes) completing his rise to power and the Ministry of Magic falling into the hands of the Dark Lord and his supporters, Harry Potter (Radcliffe) finds himself on the run - and public enemy Number One.
Following the death of Dumbledore, Potter and his friends realise they're running out of time - and opportunities - to rid the world of Voldemort. Despite attempts to keep Harry safe, it appears no-one can be trusted and so the trio of Ron, Hermione and Harry decide now is time to try and bring Voldemort down before it's too late.
So, heading away from Hogwarts school, they set out to find the Dark Lord's Horcruxes (a sort of magical object which gives Voldemort his power) and destroy them - in the hope that that will end this battle once and for all.
But, the quest takes more of a toll on the trio than they expect....
Dark, bleak, moody and melancholy are just a few words to describe this, the penultimate outing from Harry Potter as the final curtain draws ever closer.
Another would be long.
At 150 minutes, it's quite the marathon in places in terms of endurance and because of the pacing; though I strongly doubt fans of the genre will remotely care about that.
There's a lot to like in this first part - the action, such as it is (aside from an opening segment which plunges you right into the action and is breath taking on the big IMAX screen) is held by the trio of actors. And for once, they impress; there's no way these kids could have dealt with such dark material and such emotional scenes earlier in their career. Sure, Rupert Grint rolls out his trademark gurning face at times, but director Yates (and probably the material) reigns it in this time. To be honest though, there's hardly room for humour throughout - with jumps and jolts, the maudlin atmosphere is spooky, frightening and will be nightmarish to the younger end of the audience.
There's much of a "quest" feel about this film - perhaps, inevitably it would be the case as the story centres on the hunt for Horcruxes, swords and so forth. It also means at times, there's little for the casual viewer - every lingering hug and stolen glance has some kind of significance and will be lost on those who've not followed the series or the book. All of the main trio acquit themselves well and deliver performances which will keep you watching throughout; particularly when the emotional cracks come and the bond falls apart.
The best part though has to be the ghoulish animation which accompanies the tale of what exactly the Deathly Hallows are - with shadow animation and a Gothic feel, it's a stunningly well realised moment that stands out from the rest of the film.
But the problem is that it all feels too much of a set up
for the final part - which granted, is, in some ways, no
surprise. The whole film has an ominous tone which doesn't have the
pay off that's needed and as a result the ending to all
the brooding and foreshadowing doesn't pack the emotional punch
which was needed to whet my appetite for the final film,
which comes out in 2011.
Ultimately though, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part
One sets it up well for Part Two - and I'm hoping the
final denouement will give the emotional punch and deliver the
much needed final showdown spectacle which is lacking in this and
is therefore, frustratingly inconclusive.
Watch our Harry Potter featurette here.
Watch the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows here.
