Hail all,

Category: Opinion

Well everybody, I have seen Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Below are my thoughts on it, how it fits into the Harry Potter film series and books, and other things. Be mindful as...:

BELOW THIS MAY HAVE SPOILERS FOR ANY ONE OF THE HARRY POTTER FILMS AND BOOKS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

That said, on we go...

I saw the film at 12:45pm on a Monday. I was surprised to see few children in the cinema, but then I suppose that they were at school. What I did see were a lot of aged individuals, grandparents, possibly great grandparents. I saw some teenagers or people in their early twenties, and I saw a small family as well. It seems that this latest Harry Potter is seeing a more adult attendance. And after watching the film, I think that best represents what is happening.

You should note that I own all of the Harry Potter films to date. I have read all the books. I know how the films will end. I know the major plotlines. Deathly Hallows Part 1 follows the plot of the book fairly faithfully, and watching it made me realise that the film-makers had the right idea. There is no way for them to cram all the information into one short film. At 2 and a half hours, Part 1 already has a lot going on. There's still the final battle, all the questions to be resolved and everything else to happen. Yet I never felt that the film was going longer than it needed to - it didn't draw out unnecessarily and always had something happening.

What should be mentioned is that the films are becoming more and more fast paced, adult and darker. If you're unfamiliar with the previous films or the story, than whats happening may just go over your head. There isn't a lot of dialogue, and much of it is crammed in between some thrilling set pieces. The story is there, no doubt, but a lot of it is subliminally told, and newcomers will have a hard time keeping up.

It certainly nails camping. For the trio, they are on the run from a number of agents who seek Lord Voldemort's bidding. There are a number of nasty creatures and just plain nastiness. Death begins very early, poor Hedwig is killed almost as soon as the film begins to roll. Mad Eye is also killed off-screen, and the Weasley twins come to the burrow covered in blood. Its safe to say that this is quite a violent and action-packed version of what's been put to paper. It's exciting viewing, but definitely not for the little ones.

And that's not to talk about the magic. Magic seems even second place here - it's become such a part of the film, and such a part of the characters that it's hard to imagine them otherwise. I look back at prior films where Harry learns Wingardium Leviosa, drives a flying car or learns how to take down a Dementor, and you can see a sense of wonder. There is no wonder here. There's no classes, no Hogwarts even. There are definitely spells, but the film doesn't feel spell-binding.

As the film series progresses, I feel less enchanted. There's no doubt I'm still enjoying the films, and I eagerly await whats to come, but for those who fell in love with the series at a younger age - they may wish to be cautious about this latest film. For all that happens, there's very little understanding. For all the magic, there's not a lot of movie magic. For all the action, theres little dialogue. The story and the series has progressed - something wicked this way comes.

Watch the film and understand that it's the penultimate - it definitely breaks at a point when you cant wait to see how it ends.

Cheers,

Saga.