Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Ok so that franchise we all like is ending, boo-hoo, technically it's been over since the seventh book came out so I've already done my grieving. However, I haven't read that book since the day it came out, so I don't remember a lot of the specifics of the story and didn't really have the critical "does this work as an adaptation" eye for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I think that's ok. The film picks up a short time after the ending of the last installment: Dumbledore's dead, Voldemort is rapidly gaining powers and set to take over the wizarding world, everyone is depressed. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out to find the remaining Horcruxes- little pieces of Voldemort's soul that he's scattered about England as a means of staying immortal- but don't have much to go on and it amounts more to aimless wandering and hormonal bickering. There are some magic fights and explody chase scenes and snake attacks, and the supporting character deaths start happening.

Everyone else has already reviewed this movie in-depth, and I've already had multiple conversations about it with friends/family members, and I've already seen it twice. Suffice to say I'm a little Potter'ed out right now, so I'm just going to hit on some major points and avoid the analytical stuff.

This movie is quite long (about 2.5 hours), but for the most part that was an advantage. Most of the other films have felt quite rushed since there's so much plot and so many characters that have to be squeezed into a regular time frame. Splitting the story into two films and keeping it at a longer runtime allows the characters to breathe a little, though in some ways it's too late to really take advantage of that. We know these characters by now and we know there is a lot going on, so while I appreciated the slower pacing, some of the less action-driven moments were unnecessary and threw off the flow of the story. Ultimately I think I'd prefer that to the super-rushed atmosphere of some of the earlier films, though.

It's beautifully shot, incorporating a lot of gorgeous vistas and unspoiled woodland for which director Yates clearly shows an affinity- almost a longing. The acting has improved greatly as the films have progressed, and the main three actors have come to convincingly embody these characters so that viewers have a stronger and stronger emotional connection. Most of the book is depressing stuff- aimless meandering and introspection set against a lot of fighting and death. The adaptation catches all of that.

One of my favorite things about Harry Potter movies has always been the wealth of familiar British actors who pop up in supporting roles- from Emma Thompson's marvelous Professor Trelawney to Jim Broadbent's slimy Slughorn. This time around we had the unshakable Bill Nighy as Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour, frequent Jane Austen-movie actress Sophie Thompson as a Ministry secretary whom Hermione impersonates, and one of my personal favorites, Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood, the second half of the most enjoyable family in the series. Yay!

Alright so Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is a good movie- definitely one of the better in the series- but hard to fully judge since it's just the first half of a complex and well-loved book adaptation. While I definitely agree with where the filmmakers chose to end it, the final scenes do feel abrupt and unfinished- but I have no idea what the transition into the next film will be.

To me anything Harry Potter-related will always have me constantly asking, "Why the hell isn't Hermione the star of this story? She is apparently the only competent person in Rowling's entire universe." You know it's true.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that the animated telling of the "Tale of the Three Brothers" is the BEST part of this movie, hands down. Absolutely gorgeous and dark animation style. Truly excellent.

4/5

Pair This Movie With: What do you think? Part 2? Yes, Part 2.

Further Reading:
Dark of the Matinee review
Feministing: "An Unabashed Love Letter to Ginny Weasley"
Frankly My Dear podcast review
Lady Hatter weighs in
Life in Equinox review

My original art for Harry Potter is for sale.