Talking Pictures

Rich Bonaduce reviews “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1″

Nov 18th, 2010 | by admin

Rich’s Quickie: Although very much a set-up, a good (dark) film in it’s own right.
Lively: With direction from David Yates that is at once both bleak and beautiful, HP 7.1 (I’m not typing Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1 again!), delivers in almost very way. The acting is better than it’s ever been, as all three of our central characters have grown before our eyes over these last few movies, in both age and thespian experience. Although dark, the tone is potent and pretty consistent throughout, as the threat of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is very real, and penetrating every facet of our young heroes’ lives – indeed, not even Hogwarts or their own homes are safe from The Dark Lord’s touch. This permeation of evil is no better defined than in Hermione’s opening scene, wherein she erases herself from the memories of her parents for their own protection.
Things get tougher from there as Harry’s friends lose their lives while protecting him from harm, and the nasty influence of the soul-shard wielding Horcrux around their various necks (in a near-steal from The Lord of the Rings), unduly influences their darker sides, and pulls them apart just when they need to stick together.
Luckily in the midst of such angst, Ron (Rupert Grint) who had left the group in a fit of Horcrux-induced rage, reunites with Harry (Daniel Radcliff) and Hermione (Emma Watson), and brings back a bit of the old magic (hehheh… forgive the pun), and we are all treated to a wonderful animated sequence (in another near-steal, this time from Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas), explaining just what The Deathly Hallows are. Still, it was so cool, I could’ve watched a whole movie’s worth of that kind of animation… oh wait; I did (see the aforementioned Burton’s Nightmare)!
But even a well made set-up film is still a set-up film, and HP 7.1 has that thorn in its side but it also does what set-up films are supposed to do; get you ready and waiting for the next film. Although a bit bleak and long, by the time Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1 ends, you’ll be itching to see Part 2… and that was the whole point.
Deathly: While viewing the first of a two-part 7th Harry Potter movie (you heard me!), you’d better be paying close attention. Not that many who have NOT seen the last six Harry Potter movies or who have NOT digested the books will even be in the theater – the main attendees of the Potter movies are a bit of a special interest group – but even so; the cast of characters is large, the off-screen references even more so, and the magicspeak gobbledygook abounds, so listen up!
Yes it’s dark (and thank Ron and The Twins for what brief comic relief there is); yes it may have a bit of blood and some scary bits too strong for a much younger audience (then again; it IS rated PG-13)… but no, the supposed “sex scene” isn’t scandalous at all – I’ve seen more skin in a Garnier Fructis commercial. And yes, although it is most obviously a robust “set-up” movie, it is still a good flick in and of itself. But again, if you haven’t memorized the last few books and/or movies, drag a Potthead with you to help sort out the many and varied references peppered throughout Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1. It is also on the longer side, and halfway through it feels that way, as Harry’s pseudo spirit quest slows a bit while we’re treated to our heroes running and hiding in various scenic vistas discussing what to do next. But still, few set-up movies have ever been done so well.

Movie Grade: B

Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.

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