Cassie Delaney writes.
Effectively, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, is the final chapter in the story of a moody pubescent teenager. The distinction between Harry and Adrian Mole however, is the fact that Harry is a wizard. If this revelation is a surprise to you then do not, under any circumstances, bother to go see this film. The Deathly Hallows is, in all respects, a direct continuation from the previous 6 Harry Potter films. It is not a film that caters for the uninformed viewer.
The movie dives straight into the thick of the action. Latest addition to the cast – Bill Nighy opens the film as the eerie Minister of Magic; Rufus Scrimgeour. Looking directly down the camera Nighy croaks “These are dark times, there is no denying it. Our world has never faced a greater threat.” What he is referring to is, of course, the rise of The Dark Lord – played by a disturbing looking Ralph Fiennes. The story revolves around Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) attempts to find the Horcruxes – the key to Voldemort’s demise. As expected, Harry is accompanied at all times by the charmingly dim-witted Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Ron’s unfaltering love interest Hermoine Granger (Emma Watson).
Where this movie differs from its predecessors is in the setting. The familiar enchanting grounds of Hogwarts are replaced by varying barren landscapes. The trouble in splitting the final instalment of the story in two is the fact that not much actually happens in the first part. There is mild excitement in the form of battles, chases and deliberating curses but for the most part the film is tame. Also focusing mainly on Harry’s search,
familiar favourites such as the Weasley clan feature infrequently. In effect, the viewer is subjected to over two hours with the uninspiring Radcliffe. The worst point during such time is an arbitrary and cringe worthy dance scene with between himself and Watson. On the contrary, the chemistry between Watson and Grint is infectious and retains the viewers attention throughout simply for the love of a good unlikely romance.
A triumph for the film is the animated portrayal of the tale of the Deathly Hallows. It is vibrant, exciting and a much needed break from the repetitive search. For Potter fans, the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is a superb realisation of the complexities of the story. Whilst director David Yates may not provide genuine filmmaking excitement, he does piece the story together in a digestible and comprehensive manner lending to an appreciation of just how intricate Rowling’s masterpiece really is.
