Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Movie Review
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 – Movie Review
Director: David Yates
Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Fantasy
For those who are Potter fans this film will seem like coming home. This is not a film for young children even with the more violent pieces sanitized. Those who are not fans and have not read the books could find themselves missing chunks of meaningful cues unless they are very intuitive.
If you are new to Harry Potter I suggest this is not the first in the series that you should be watching or reading. There are things that have been cut and I admit I miss them. The core remains.
Three friends who are trying to follow Dumbledore’s instructions while on the run for their lives, find themselves stretched to the limit and beyond. Fear and intimidation abound. The fascist-like enemy spreads to every corner of their world. All are touched. From the elderly Mr. Ollivander and the Lovegood family facing imprisonment and coercion to the formerly timid Neville Longbottom standing up to Death Eaters while onboard the Hogwarts Express. We see people called upon to use courage and fortitude.
Even the Malfoys can evoke sympathy. The arrogant and proud Lucius Malfoy is reduced to the status of a despised servant in his own Manor. To watch him tremble and beg his terrified son to turn in classmates may all seem like justice but really it just enforces the
understanding of the barbarity that would be ushered in under Voldermort’s reign. Even the Malfoy’s have had enough of Tom Riddle. This is the part of the Potter saga that deals most with loss and sacrifice. If there is anything that I find lacking it is the softer side.
Some things in the book buffer the pain with snippets of what life should be like. Weddings, birthdays, births and romance still go on while war rages on. The movie touches on them but only with the briefest look. The book has more humor to help in the dark hours. I heartily recommend seeing the film. In fact, while I have already seen it in IMAX it is inevitable that I will see it again though most likely on a smaller screen.
by June K. Williams
Always a Science Fiction fan and dabbler in writing she had thought herself too practical to pursue a career in the field. Before coming to Buzzy she spent over 30 years in the travel industry, then one day decided it was time to spread her wings and plunge into publishing. Everyone she knew thought she had gone slightly daft but as this was not the first time they had expressed that opinion she took the red pill anyway and now spends all of her time putting together projects that make each day a pleasure.
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