I grew up as a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, so, first of all- I am probably one of the toughest people to sell the Potter movies to. Because? They've sucked. HARD. The first two movies were good, the third one was 'meh', the fourth one was 'meh', and the fifth and sixth were utter abominations of film. I mean it. Walking out after 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' to me was a defining experience- that's when I finally said to myself, "Self, you better learn your lesson. Stop expecting these movies to be good. They suck now. Deal with it and try to move on."
So, needless to say, I walked into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with pretty shitty expectations. I figured, well, the movie's probably gonna suck (and by all means it should've- it had all of the same people working on it as the last two films), so if anything I should just focus on all the hot wizard boiz. But man, was I surprised.
There is a darkness to this film that, for the first time, fits. In OOTP and HBP, David Yates was trying to darken the mood, but...it didn't work. I don't care what's going on in or outside Hogwarts- you CAN'T make Hogwarts a dark and foreboding place. You just can't. It's a flippin' magical castle full of wonder and innocence, and I think that's a big reason why I disliked those movies. Yates went overboard on the darkness theme and, in the end, those moves just felt heartless.
Not the case with Deathly Hallows. Why? Because Hogwarts isn't in play. Hogwarts is a symbol of everything young and magical and happy in the wizarding world, and when you're not in it? Things are really, really bad. There's nothing cutting off Harry and the gang from the real world in this movie. And the real world is dark. Thus, the motif finally fits. When the gang is in Hogwarts, really, there's nothing immediate at hand. Maybe when they leave, yes, but Hogwarts is a safe haven (except for the end of HBP, but I digress). Without that safe haven, there's something around every corner. There's immediate danger facing everyone, always. The film really benefits from that.
When I first heard the news that DH was being split into 2 films, I thought to myself: Why? But, now that I've seen the results of part 1, I understand it completely and I wonder what could've been accomplished by the last two films had they been given more time. DH doesn't suffer from the same stressed-out pacing as OOTP and HBP...it has the luxury of taking its time. So much of what's going on in DH has to do with the characters- mostly our main trio- despairing. The opener of the film shows this perfectly, and by the time the title frame floats up, you feel like there actually is a weight to all this darkness. It's not overblown teen angst anymore. This shit has gotten real.
Daniel Radcliffe, for the first time, blew me away. Finally, for the last film, he's decided to be 100% there. Rupert Grint has always been capable, and in this film he gets to show it off. Now, I still have issues with Emma Watson- Hermione was never supposed to be so pretty and dull- but even I have to admit that has nothing to do with her acting. I'm just not a fan of the portrayal. Of course, we still have the legendary cast of always-dependable supporting actors: Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham Carter, etc., etc. So, in the acting department, all was well. Which...I don't think that's ever happened in a Harry Potter film before. There was always some weak link in the younger actors that detracted from the experience. Not the case in this film. Well, other than Bonnie Wright as Ginny, who still sucks, but thankfully we only had to tolerate her for three minutes.
As for things to nitpick at, I think being a huge Harry Potter fan gives me a few. First of all: when Ron destroys the locket? Too much. Naked CGI groping is not a thing I wanted to see, especially when it wasn't necessary. In the book, all Ron saw was his greatest fear- Harry and Hermione together. Kissing. Not having ferocious, CGI sex. Also, some of the camping scenes between just Harry and Hermione were awkward as f*ck. I understand everyone is in despair, but damn. Awkward dancing scene was too much for me to take- if you haven't seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about. Also, near the end of the part 1, things started to feel a little rushed. After taking its time with the camping, the film seems to snap out of that section with a breakneck speed, not giving enough time to either a) the incident at Xenophillius Lovegood's house or b) Malfoy Manor. Which are two of the most bad ass, tension-filled events. Especially Malfoy Manor*. To me, that was the turning point in the book, and it seemed like they were in and out of there way too quickly.
* Also, I am obligated to say this: I am obsessed with Tom Felton, and more time at Malfoy Manor would've meant more time with Draco Malfoy, so I may be a TAD biased.
But, all in all, I found Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to be shockingly good. Great, even. And after going into it with such low expectations, I can't tell you how fulfilling it was to walk out of there satisfied. I can't wait for part 2, and after seeing how great part 1 was, I don't know how it could be bad.
Highlights: the Tale of the Three Brothers animation, Godric's Hollow, Malfoy Manor even though it was brief, Ron's return. Ugh. Just such a good movie.
4.5/5 stars
