Released in Theaters: 11/19/2010
There’s nothing as thrilling as that all too familiar opening to every movie when the audience is taken through the Warner Bros. letters ‘WB’ and into the world of all things Harry Potter. In the seventh installment of the 8-part series, even that introduction is scary and ominous. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is much darker than anything we’ve seen before. There’s murder, torture, and a particularly scary Nagini (Voldemort’s pet snake). Unlike past movies, we don’t see much of anyone except Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ronald Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). The three depart early on to search for and destroy the remaining horcruxes, which must be done in order to kill Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). They have to remain hidden and can’t tell anyone where they are so as not to risk their or their loved ones’ lives. In order to stay hidden, Hermione places protective enchantments around them wherever they go. In one scene you see exactly how well her enchantments work and it is just too cool.
The isolation of the trio adds to the desperation of the situation. Tension builds and their friendship is tested. While some might argue that the film drags a little because Harry, Ron, and Hermione are alone most of the time, it is necessary so that the audience can almost feel the restlessness and hopelessness the characters feel. It’s also the first time we see the leads step into more serious roles and hone in on their acting skills. There’s one nice addition to the movie that was not in the book when Harry dances with Hermione. There’s no dialogue but the scene is a touching one. With the help of the house elves Dobby and Kreacher (Kreacher reluctant as always), the Slytherin locket is discovered as another horcrux and they must infiltrate the now corrupt Ministry of Magic to retrieve it from the most hated Dolores Umbridge, played by Imelda Staunton. Polyjuice potion once again comes in handy as the three become average Ministry employees. The scene is tense, but Ron manages to lighten the mood as always.
As they continue their journey, they learn about the Deathly Hallows. It’s actually a children’s wizard story, so naturally Ron knows it Hermione has read it, but Harry knows nothing. As Hermione reads him the story, we watch it play out in a neat animated sequence. We learn that the hallows consist of three objects; an invincible elder wand, a resurrection stone, and an invisibility cloak. So while the trio is tracking down horcruxes, Voldemort is in dire search of the elder wand, which he believes is needed to kill Harry.
For those who have read the books, this is the absolute best adaptation to date. The first two movies don’t really count because they were short books, but remember The Prisoner of Azkaban? Where was Wormtail on the Marauder’s Map when Harry went looking? Not in the movie. And what about quidditch? It was basically non-existent. In the Goblet of Fire Neville Longbottom plays a huge part in helping Harry with the gillyweed. Poor Neville gets no love in the film. Don’t even get me started on the Order of the Phoenix. Ron almost died! The octopus thing was strangling him and he was laughing because there was something like laughing gas in the room. Crazy. And the most recent Half-Blood Prince, are you kidding me? When Harry and Dumbledore go to the cave to retrieve the locket, they apparate right out of the castle. You can’t do that! Really, they went to Hogsmeade first and then flew there on broomsticks. Then when they get back there’s an enormous battle…completely cut out of the film. And honestly, do you really think Harry would have listened to Dumbledore if he just told him to stay below? No way. Dumbledore stunned him so he couldn’t move. He was behind a door under his invisibility cloak.
I digress. The point is, splitting the finale into two parts was genius and readers will be thrilled. It’s so accurate. There’s a few scenes and one-liners added but they only make the movie better (like George walking in on Harry and Ginny kissing). I have only one disappointment. Since Harry, Ron, and Hermione have so much onscreen time, I missed some characters. One in particular. My favorite character. But that person will be back in Part II and will be amazing. I can’t wait!
IMDB 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes 79%
Moviewiseguys 9.5/10
