Film Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART I

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Robbie Coltrane

Director: David Yates

I am kind of wary whenever a new Harry Potter film is released. I have seen just 2 of them before this one. I am crazy about the books and have read the series about 6 times. The seventh one, I have managed to read but twice, as it is very dark. But the books are absolutely fascinating and takes the reader into a different world altogether. It takes a long time to descend to earth after reading JK Rowling’s HP series.

I tend to keep comparing the book and the films and have always found the latter disappointing – the reason why I kept away from the films. My son wanted to see this one and I promised myself that I would not compare and just watch the film for the sake of it. I pushed the book away to the back of my mind before I reached Imax for the show last weekend. The film had been in the theatres since three weeks.

The Story: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is about to complete 17 years of age and the protection around his aunt’s home is to wear off on his birthday. The Order of the Phoenix has a plan to spring him out of there. Snape (Alan Rickman) gets to know about their plans and lets Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) know of it.

With the help of a magical potion, four of the Weasley brothers including Bill (Domhnall Gleeson), George (Oliver Phelps), Fred (James Phelps) and Ron (Rupert Grint), Nymphodara Tonks (Natalia Lena) and Mundungus Fletcher (Andy Linden) turn into six Harry Potters beside the original and they all take off with escorts on brooms. The real Harry Potter travels on Hagrid’s  (Robbie Coltrane) motor bike along with the half-giant. Death eaters find them and Hedwig (the owl) and Mad-Eyed Moody die in transit. George's left ear is shot off by dark magic. 

Then comes Bill’s wedding to Fleur. The death eaters attack immediately after the wedding and that’s when Harry, Hermione and Ron disapparate. The smart Hermione has managed to make her parents forget who they are and also packed in a huge number of things into a magical handbag. The three are on the run throughout the film, hoping to find the horcruxes that hold parts of Voldemort’s soul. Dumbledore has left them no clues to the whereabouts of these.

The first part of the seventh novel goes on till the three find a means to destroy the horcruxes. They are still in search as the movie ends.

My Perception: The film moved fast. I am glad, I like well-edited films that don’t drag. It ran for just two hours. Daniel Radcliffe gets better with each of the Harry Potter films. Emma looks her part of the intelligent Hermione who takes care of all contingencies. Rupert also plays the part of Ron well – a bit dumb and totally loyal.

The cinematography was just amazing, the film shot in gorgeous locations. I don’t know whether a person who has not read the book would understand much – this bit keeps nagging at me all the while – but it made for a great watch.

Some of the scenes just need to be mentioned. The snake Nagini’s attacks made for superb animation. Then there was the priceless look on the face of the woman playing Batilda Bagshot near the graveyard. She actually turns out to be Nagini. She was just too good even while she lasted barely a few minutes on the screen.

Draco (Tom Felton) is all grown up and the actor has done his part well. The look of fear on his face gets to you.

There was this scene when a few stragglers come across Harry Potter's hideout in the open. Hermione has placed a number of charms ensuring that no one could find them. One of the stragglers smells her perfume but is unable to see anything. It was scary when he gets within touching distance but is unable to trace them.

There was this scene where Ron raises the Sword of Griffindor to break the cursed locket (one of the horcruxes). A number of terrible visions occur confounding Ron. This scene was exactly as I had visualised when I read the book. Dark magic at its best as the story gets more gripping. 

The Verdict: All in all, makes for a wonderful watch. I really enjoyed myself at the theatre and I am looking forward to the second part.

Rating: **** Snazzy

* Silly

** Shaky

*** Smart

**** Snazzy

***** Super