Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One

Rating: PG-13

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

NOTE: Be aware: Some spoilers!

Synopsis: This latest installment in the Harry Potter story follows Harry along with Ron and Hermoine, as they proceed to finish the mission Dumbledore had started–find the remaining Horcruxes. But their journey is filled with great danger and overwhelming darkness.

The movie begins with the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) stating gravely, “There are dark times, there’s no denying,” painting the picture for the audience right from the beginning of what to expect. Murders, disappearances, and raids have taken place all around the magic and non magic world. Voldemort is on the move to establish not only his army but to destroy anything and everything he finds wrong within the magic community, that includes killing mud bloods (children born with one human parent and one magical parent or two human parents).

Harry is still visibly heart broken by the death of his mentor Albus Dumbledore but barely has any time to wallow in self-pity when Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson) and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) show up along with the rest of the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix. Their mission is to get Harry safely hidden to a new location which is guarded by every protection spell the gang could think of. But the mission is quickly met with an attack by the Death Eaters and the death of Mad-Eye Moody. Harry attempts to leave but is talked back into his senses by Ron. Bill Wesley (Ron’s older brother) and Fleur Delacour’s wedding takes place the next day but the joyous occasion turns to one of horror, once they receive a message from one of the members of the Order announcing the Ministry of Magic has been taken over by Voldemort, and they must hide for the Death Eaters are on their way, two seconds later the wedding erupts into complete chaos as wizards attempt to defend themselves against the attacks of the Death Eaters.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione evaporate to a place Hermione had gone to with her parents and so the story sets off, following the trio as they journey in near isolation to gather the Horcruxes and discover the truth of the Deathly Hallows.

Review: I LOVED this movie so much the first time I watched it I HAD to go back and see it again (which I did)! I enjoyed the movie just as much as the first time around, if not more! I was expecting great things from this movie and was not at all disappointed.

Director David Yates does a marvelous job of bringing the first half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to life. He creates nail-biting suspense, masterfully building tension, especially in the scene where Harry, Ron, and Hermione sneak into the Ministry of Magic. A scene also filled with very entertaining humor.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint once again reprieve their roles with expert precision and maturity. Having to go through most of the film isolated from their friends and family, you truly come to feel how much they love each other and are willing to do anything to protect one another.

The action scenes in the movie are just AWESOME! I especially enjoyed the scene with Hagrid and Harry on Hagrid’s motorcycle, zooming through the air while being attacked by Death Eaters. I also love the fact that Dobby comes back, our favorite house elf who was set free by Harry. Still so lovable and cute as when fans where first introduced to him.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is one of the best movies to come out this year (in my humble opinion). Filled with scenes much more dark and scarier than any previous Harry Potter film, this movie is not for essential for children. But the movie is also filled with humor and tender hearted moments that continue to allow fans to connect with their favorite characters.

The ending was a bit abrupt but Director David Yates and writer Steve Kloves picked the right spot to end the movie on, since they didn’t want to diverge from the book and wanted to stay true to as much as they possibly could. If part one is any indication to what part two will be like, fans can expect the finale to be amazing!

GO WATCH THIS FILM (MAYBE EVEN TWICE)! You will not be disappointed!

Running Time: 146 minutes (2 hours and 26 minutes)
Director: David Yates
Rating: 10/10 stars!!