BLOGS
I realize that this review is entirely pointless. Either you're going to go see the final chapter in a seven-part fantasy epic, or you're not. Even if you haven't read the books they're based on, I'm pretty sure you didn't walk out of the sixth movie and go, "Eh, I'm done with that." Either you're definitely going to see it, or you have zero interest, having never gotten involved. That said, if, by some slim chance, you once tried the series and disliked it, I would urge you to reconsider. Just like the books, each film has gotten progressively darker and more adult, and director David Yates, who's done the last two entries, has taken advantage of the two-part split for this chapter and given every scene the time it deserves, allowing it to deliver the full dose of emotion and/or creepiness. Plus, it's got quite possibly the best movie cliffhanger of all time.
The magical world of the film, which exists parallel to non-magical "muggle" society, no longer resembles the whimsical Dickens novel it did in the first movie. No, the magical world is a more depressing version of our world, where terrorists and fascists are working hand in hand to bring down the weak government. And with the powerful wizard Albus Dumbledore murdered, there isn't really anyone who can stop them. Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix has sworn to keep Harry safe, since he's the only one who can defeat Voldemort, but Voldemort has been busy, and is desperately trying to figure out how to kill Harry even as he sends his agents, including those within the ministry, to find and capture him. When Voldemort's Death-Eaters get too close for the second time, Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on a cross-country journey to find the remaining Horcruxes, artifacts that each contain a fraction of Voldemort's soul. Got all that? Because that's pretty much the gist of it, although at some point the trio learn what the actual Deathly Hallows are, and why they matter to Voldemort.
Some have commented on the franchise's lack of forward momentum -- how each chapter involves a fair amount of dilly-dallying and mucking about until the end, when a mystery is solved, a battle takes place, and everyone graduates. Since this movie spends absolutely zero time at Hogwarts, it has the freedom to space out the battles and the confrontations throughout the film. Granted, at two and a half hours long, that means there's still plenty of time between them, but that's fine by me. Previous Potter films have always felt rushed, like they were trying to cram in as much information from the book as possible. Even when they weren't fighting, they were constantly talking, explaining backstories and emotions. But here, there are some silent, wordless scenes, and some shots presented entirely to establish surroundings and set a mood. It's a pleasant change of pace, and it made me feel like I was watching a real movie, not a franchise, although I can see how less action might not be a positive change for everybody.
Rest assured, the action is still there -- there are chases and shootouts aplenty, and people get seriously hurt, even dead. Two deaths, in particular, are especially devastating, even though one happens off-screen, and the other involves a character I certainly never expected to have an emotional connection to, for a variety of reasons. The performances by the young stars of the film are better than ever, and the older cast members are great, as usual. The movie brings back almost every living adult character, including John Hurt as Ollivander, Imelda Staunton as Umbridge and Frances de la Tour as Madame Maxine. We get a few newcomers -- Elphias Doge, Gregorovitch, Bill Weasley (played by Brendan "Mad-Eye" Gleeson's real-life son) -- but none get much screen time, aside from Luna Lovegood's father Xenophilius. Played by the great Rhys Ifans, Xenophilius is a man unhinged, and since he wasn't particularly well-hinged before, you know that Ifans gets to be really frighteningly desperate here.
I don't expect it to happen this weekend, but if you gave up on the series, go back and watch the rest of them on DVD. The director changes at least once more, the performances only get better as they go on, and you'll get to go to the theater, sit down and watch this wonderful film. I suppose you could go in without having seen the other films, but even I have to admit that you'll be slightly lost with all of the callbacks to characters from previous installments. And when Dobby the House Elf shows up? You're going to think somebody put something in your popcorn.
Did you see Deathly Hallows? Let us know what you thought below! If you need a refresher before you go, check out our guide to the last six films, then read our guide to the movie's talented cast! And check out more reviews here!
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You wrote exactly what I felt watching this last night. It was beyond excellent and I loved where they chose to split the two movies.
I'll probably go see but I knew a few people who did walk out of the 6th movie an "I am done with that movies" feeling. I was pretty much one of them but my younger brother will likely ask to go see it, and I have no strong objections.
I was one of the adult "geeks" that made the midnight show trek for the premiere. Not only was the movie-going experience fun (a massive group of tweens stood at the front of the theater and shouted out Harry Potter trivia for the hour before start time, kids of all ages dressed in all kind of costumes - I think we had a Lady-Gaga-goes-to-Hogwarts-girl), the film itself was phenomenal. Watching the audience's reaction is half of the entertainment. The cast has grown up so much, and makes it so much less of a Christopher Columbus kid's movie...it's now dark, scary, and will be a great end to a fun series.
Well said; this first movie does a better job conveying emotion than any other Potter movie so far. And the way Yates shows how alone Harry, Ron, and Hermoine are in their journey in the beginning of the film was brilliant. And how does Luna imagine to steal every scene she is in?
I HATED what they did in the 6th movie so much that I have very low expectations for the one; it being by the same director and all.
But of course I'll see it. I can't not see it.
I have to go see this now, because last night someone told me that there's a Nick Cave song in it. As a total Bad Seeds fangirl, it's my duty.
I am a huge potter fan and I had an excellent time, might even pay again to watch it on the bog screen one more time and have another chance to see it all. I am very impressed with the young actors (hell, I watched one of the first ones a few days ago and they were seriously amongst the worst child actors ever!), they have grown up very nicely and improved so much. Good for them! I was worried it would be properly cliffhangry, midscene kind of thing, but where it ends feels natural and at the same time makes you just ache for those 34 weeks we have to wait for the next installment.
Only 34 weeks? Well, that's less than a pregnancy term... I just got back from Part 1 and I thought it was FANTASTIC! I was crying two minutes in and even though I knew the story I was still on the edge of my seat with the suspense. I'm definitely glad they split the film in two so we can see all of what plays out in the book, but waiting until next summer is going to hurt. No lie.
In hindsight, I wish they had filmed all the previous movies in2 installments, like this...just so we could have gotten all the materials from the books without feeling so rushed or having scenes from the books not make into the movies. Oh well, whatever. It is still one of the best franchises ever.
Oh, and I would like to point out that there were THREE devastating deaths not two. A pet's selfless act shouldn't be overlooked just because it never had any lines. :(
This and the fourth book are the only films I think could have really used the two-film treatment, since they have so much plot.
The film was great, if necessarily incomplete.
If you haven't seen it, go see it. To be honest, the 6th movie was my least favorite. But this one might be my favorite. It was fantastic, and creepy as heck.
Amy, I agree. I knew it was going to happen in the first five minutes or so and I was all weepy. This pet's love for its owner gets to me. Even now, when I think of it, I am getting weepy. I'm sad.
I had never read the books but had seen every movie and had been content doing so. However, after I walked out of the 6th movie, even I could tell that there was way too much unexplained. The movie compelled me to read the entire series. It is such a difference to watch the new movie and understand the back-story. If anyone else felt empty or utterly confused after Half-Blood Prince, you need to read the books and enjoy the ride of the new Deathly Hallows movie. It is well worth the investment.
Sort of a minor spoiler alert.) I did enjoy the movie. I had tried to stay away from the reviews beforehand (although, unlike pretty much every other movie, there are no "spoilers" in the reviews, since we've all read the books. One review did say that this movie ends on an amazing cliffhanger. I don't think I'll be giving away anything when I say, "Um, no it doesn't." It ends at a perfectly okay moment. No complaints about that. But a cliffhanger?!?? Nope. Not at all. The other main take-away for me (and the review, above, noted this) was how little screen time almost all of the supporting characters have. It's not really a complaint--merely an observation.
Josh, I kind of agree regarding the cliffhanger comment, although I found the final scene pretty creepy and ominous.
To be fair, if all the supporting characters were given the fleshing out they had in the books the film would have been ridiculously long and confusing for the three people in the world who haven't read the books.
Everyone always dogs on the 6th movie, but I don't really blame the 6th movie being what it is. The 6th book was a space filler that absolutely had to be there for the story to make sense. The book was all setup for the 7th book, therefore the movie was just going to be setup for these movies. Not the most exciting book or movie, but still necessary.
I went and saw it on saturday. Im not a huge fan and I never read the books, but I have seen all the movies. My obsessed friends loved it and I enjoyed it too, but it did seem a bit long. And it seemed like most of it was not action packed
I saw the movie, and there were some hardcore fans there - people cheered when Ron came back after having left for awhile. But the biggest thing was when the movie ended - one guy literally screamed, "agh." The ending WAS amazing. So cliff-hangerish.. I've read all the books multiple times, and I've only seeon 2 other HP movies, and I REALLY like this. I just don't get the casting of Fleur and Ginny. Ginny has 0 chemistry with Harry, and Fleur is not incandescently beutiful, hough she had the world'sgreatest wedding dress.
PS. everyone should see HP in IMAX.
I think I'm also one of the few people who actually enjoyed the 6th movie. Ya there were some parts that left me slightly annoyed but so have the other movies. The 5th one was my absolute favorite and I must say that Deathly Hallows Part 1 blew me away. My boyfriend who barely remembers the 6th and barely saw the 1st one a few weeks back was left in awe. That alone says so much to me, as a Harry Potter fan. My favorite scene was the depiction on the Peverall brothers. Wow.
The ending was perfect and seamless. I applaud the screenwriter and the director with the awesome transition they left for Part 2. And yes, there were 3 deaths. And the first one left me in tears to this very moment.
I happen to like the actress who portrays Ginny...their chemistry is awkward which fits the movies since their relationship hasn't been fleshed out as it should have been which is one of my gripes of movie 6. But all in all they fit :)
As a big, big fan of the books I must admit that this is the only one of the films I have truly enjoyed! Some of the others I can watch for what they are - a bit of light entertainment and others make me extremely mad (HBP - has fundamental mistakes that are unnecessary and annoying). This film has very few points that I could pick at (like the need to make things up to cover other films past mistakes: Bill Weasley)…
Lets face it if by this stage you are not invested in the characters you should have gave up along time ago, if you are invested then you will love every minute of this.
One last thing, if you are new to the Harry Potter franchise… take the time to read the books (at least from the 4th one onwards)... I can only contemplate enjoying the films if you have take the full journey con Harry, Ron and Hermione
Agreed. That one was actually the saddest for me.
I actually think the sixth and seventh books were the only ones that needed two movies. Yes, four was a little rushed, but it didn't bother me. Six, on the other hand, was really rushed. This was the book where we learned about Voldemort and what makes him tick. The movie failed to communicate this, and the plot for Deathly Hallows Part 1 suffered for it... Nowhere in the movie does it mention that the locket is Slytherin's. I don't know how the characters in the movie are supposed to figure out that the snake and the Founders' heirlooms are the horcruxes. DH1 was by far my favorite movie in the franchise, but it would have been better if HBP was also flushed out fully.
I have to disagree with you about the sixth book. While it definitely sets up the seventh (as penultimate chapters in epics almost always do), this was the book where we really learned about Voldemort. I found that fascinating.
And I think that the sixth movie failed to set up the seventh movie properly. The characters in DH1 don't yet realize that they're looking for Founders' objects because Dumbledore didn't have the screen time to explain his theory in HBP. Perhaps Hermione'll figure it out in DH2, but I see this as a gaping plot hole.
I found a few things were not quite understandable if you were one of the 2 people who had not bothered reading the books. One being that they never explained that the death eaters were "called" via saying Voldemort's name. I thought that was fairly important as it explains them appearing in the middle of Shaftsbury Av, and also how Luna's dad contacts them. Plus the kids just randomly start saying "he who shall not be named" halfway through the movie when they have spent 6 and a half movies saying Voldemort.
My mom, who is too pigheaded to read the books because she holds a grudge against JK (my mom is a writer who is not selling millions of books!), always finds the movies confusing and I thought this was one where it was mostly well done but had those minor details that would have annoyed her.
My brother is one of the 2/3 people who has not read the books so I go with him as his "plot whisperer". My biggest annoyance outside of not having a clue about the other horcruxes and the Voldemort taboo was that Xenophilius didn't explain the wand's ownership part because that's fairly important.
I didnt mind the small amount of screentime for the non-trio characters because the trio have improved so much that they can easily carry a film now. It was a lovely surprise, along with the sheer beauty of the cinematography made it a really really good film.
Agreed, Amy! I couldn't believe the author of this article only counted 2 horrific deaths!!
I agree, Jeff. Most people think that Half-Blood Prince is "filler" but I disagree. It is of paramount importance for Harry to understand Voldemort in order to defeat him. By knowing what makes Voldemort tick, Harry is able to identify and find the horcruxes. It really bothers me that viewers have no idea what Harry is looking for because the 6th book centers so much around Dumbledore telling Harry about Tom's affinity for Hogwarts and its founders.
You cuodln?t pay me to ignore these posts!