So here it is. The moment that children and adults, the world over have been waiting for: the beginning of the end. It sounds a bit dramatic, but surely if anything deserves an elaborate introduction, then it would be this; the release of the first part of J.K. Rowling’s final instalment in the story of Harry Potter. The hero of a generation.
We open in the aftermath of Dumbledore’s death; a morose Minister of Magic talks of these ‘dark times’, while the Dursleys leave for hiding and Hermione tearfully bids goodbye to her parents. The fall of the Ministry into Voldemort’s clutches, and the explosive intrusion of Deatheaters at The Burrow send Harry, Ron and Hermione on the run; smack, bang into the middle of the ultimate war between Good and Evil, in a race against time to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes.
Distinctly darker, director David Yates has really taken the term ‘black magic’ to heart; for once, the 12A rating is well and truly deserved. The terror and urgency in the wizarding world is palpable, and the destruction wreaked by the Dark Lord’s minions horrifyingly reminiscent of Nazi Germany. This film is, dare I say it, scary. The drastic change in tone serves to enforce the drastic effects of the plot on the characters. Ron gains confidence in himself, his friendship with Harry, and his relationship with Hermione; Harry and Hermione strip down and sauce-up for a ‘love scene’ (don’t worry it isn’t quite how it sounds); and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) shows a surprising reluctance to serve Voldemort and his father.
Our main trio’s acting has improved (thank God) and the supporting cast is star-studded and thick with talent. Favourites Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman (Lucius Malfoy, Belatrix Lestrange and Severus Snape respectively), are joined by the pirate-esque ‘snatcher’ Scabior (Nick Moran), and Ryhs Ifans in the ‘blink and you’ll miss him’ role of Xenopilius Lovegood.
Fast-paced (despite the nagging knowledge that there’s worse to come), nothing happens organically as our three musketeers are thrust into progressively darker situations, often only barely managing to escape before encountering the next danger. Allusions to Dumbledore’s past are made, but not yet investigated, and the discovery of the ‘Deathly Hallows’ in the last portion of the film works to not only distract from the inevitable absence of a climax in the first half, but leaves the viewer with the chilling knowledge that Lord Voldemort in now in possession of the most powerful weapon in the world.
Verdict: Visually stunning and a thoroughly faithful adaptation of the book, the penultimate film is the perfect Potter fix, setting the tone for what can only be an utterly magical ending. It’ll keep you on the edge of you seats until the final battle, (Part 2 is set for release, 15th July 2011).
10/10 Cookies
