Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Part 1
Warner Bros
R4 DVD
Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the penultimate conclusion to the
series. It opening makes it abundantly clear that it will be a very different
experience from the early bubbly magical movies. "These are dark times,
there is no denying” Bill Nighy tells us face to the
screen in the opening scenes. This is a great change from what has gone before,
while the CGI and special effects are impressive, the emphasis on mood and
character development is impressive and the darkness evoked stays throughout
the whole film. It is certainly no longer a children’s movie and as the major
characters are maturing so are the films. The whole film has a colour palette
which reflects its mood and explores the nature of evil, friendship,
relationships and courage. Harry has developed from a young child to someone who
must explore his fears, love and quickly inner strength if he wishes to save
his friends. The depth of the relationship between all three
of them carry the film.
Harry,
Ron and Hermione take on a quest to save the world from Lord Voldemont and they must do it alone since the Ministry of
Magic has been compromised. They cut their ties with home, Hogwarts and the
Ministry and set out to find the horcruxes, slivers
of Voldemort's soul. Only when they have been
destroyed can Voldemort be destroyed forever. After
many difficult experiences, including having to face their own feelings, they
find the sword of Gryffindor and are able to destroy the pendant which contains
one of the horcruxes. But this comes at great cost
and with the loss of many friends leaving them to fight and grow on their own. The
various myths and legends developed throughout the film give the myth a special
quality, bringing old world fairytales into the 21st
century.
The
imagery is far more developed than in earlier film with startling scenes of the
now fascistic Ministry of Magic and its “show trials” of muggles
who claim to be witches. Little touches like the anti-muggles
propaganda and Harry’s face on wanted posters increase the fascistic feel of
the Ministry sections of the film. You see a lot more of Voldemont
in this film and his superbly refined evil (and his marvellous giant snakes) is
a joy to behold. At times his superb malevolence is such you have to admire
him, or is that just me ?
The
action sequences are also impressive, I enjoyed the motorcycle chase through
the roads and tunnels and the escape from the Ministry.
While
there are lighter moments this is a darker film with a strong gothic feel, it
will surprise many Harry Potter fans and while some have complained about its
length at around 2 ½ hours I think there is a lot to cover and it works well.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the final film lives up to expectations.
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