Film

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Rebecca Sear | Friday 19 November, 2010 10:51

Director: David Yates

The beginning of the end is upon us with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 today. Like an overflowing cauldron of polyjuice potion, it can’t possibly all be consumed in one go, so it has been kindly chopped up into two bite-sized chunks for us meaning all those eager to see what becomes of the magical threesome must fork out twice. Well, if I were Warner Bros, standing on Platform 9 and three-quarters, tearfully waving off the highest grossing film franchise of all time, I’d probably squeeze every last drop of profit out too.

The Deathly Hallows Part 1 sees Harry, Ron and Hermione begin a near impossible task of collecting and destroying the remaining horcruxes to ensure Voldemort and the forces of evil are stopped. However, the three friends do not only have time and deatheaters to contend with – racing hormones and Ron’s tendency to disappear in a strop makes their task harder still. As if things couldn’t get any worse for the boy who lived, their discovery of the existence of the deathly hallows – a trio of ultra-powerful magical curios including a wand more powerful than any other- means that if the gang don’t locate the hallows first then they will surely fall into the hands of those who wish them harm. No pressure then.

If you are someone who has grown up reading the books, and have enjoyed the previous offerings then the deathly hallows will certainly not disappoint: it is darker than ever, with explosive duelling scenes and glorious special effects at every turn. An enchanting sequence to look out for is the animated telling of the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Spellbindingly sinister and delightfully Tim Burton-esque, it embellishes the film brilliantly. Director David Yates seems to really understand what the book is about and therefore the cinematography is presented beautifully: stunning scenery from around the British Isles, cut with the screeching crescendo of Piccadilly Circus and the Dickensian grunge of Diagon Alley. Twinned an intelligently timed score, the viewer gets a tangible sense of the apex of an epic adventure.

It’s certainly the best of the films yet. However, when viewed purely on it’s acting credentials it buckles slightly. Actors like Bill Nighy, who plays the Minister of Magic, and Helena Bonham Carter, who fits the character of Bellatrix Lestrange as though it were an old pair of robes, are in no way used enough. The action, of course, centres on Grint, Watson and Radcliffe. Whilst they have a realistic on-screen fondness for one another, their acting can seem a little two-dimensional in places and is carried along by the brevity with which the action unfolds. Illustrating this, the viewer has to endure a cringe worthy and frankly silly scene where Harry and Hermione are dancing, and of course the infamous kiss. I shan’t spoil that precious moment for you. All I’ll say is there’s a little more breast than one might expect in a 12A. One must not forget, however, that these are actors who have grown up in these roles and thus not had the knock-backs and challenges whereby most actors improve; if the trio choose future roles wisely, then they can certainly expect to fare well.

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