It is safe to say that a person would be better off searching for a needle under an invisibility cloak than trying to find someone who has not heard of Harry Potter. With all the hype built by people protesting Latin, I mean witchcraft, and their popularity among all ages, it is very difficult to not be aware of this literary phenomenon/obsession.
With such a popular series, movie adaptations were inevitable. Thankfully, most of the movies were enjoyable and a couple were even good films. As of this morning, I can proudly proclaim that a wonderfully created film both cinematically and as an adaptation, raises the quality of the film franchise.
Past films have removed parts of the books and a few subplots, to the frustrations of many fans. Eventually, those viewers with red faces either looked up the word adaptation (in relation to film) or they grumble through each installment. Evidently, after all these years, they realize book-to-movie adaptation is not synonymous with “book on film”.
However, the desire for a movie that resembles the book is finally satisfied. Harry, Ron and Hermione set out to defeat Voldemort, pardon my language, by destroying his Horcruxes (Muggle Translation (MT): magical items which keep Voldemort from dying). In doing so, they will make Voldemort mortal once more. The trio is constantly traveling while searching for clues as to what the Horcruxes are and how to destroy them. This film leaves viewers hanging, eager for part 2, when the heroes escape from Malfoy Manor to Shell Cottage (MT: they escape from the bad guys and go to a beach) and Voldemort finds one of the deathly hallows (MT: bad guy is one step closer to immortality, again).
The movie is very dark and somewhat gory. There are scenes with blood, a few that make you jump and some that were just disturbing – in other words, wonderful. There is also one scene with near nudity, which evoked a varied reaction from the crowd. Along with intense action, the entire movie sends you from one emotion to the next as if your heart was addicted to apparition.
At the very start of the film, the emotions are leaking from your eye holes. You see Hermione at her home and Harry at the Dursley’s before they both set off for their adventure. Then there’s Voldemort feeding his snake at Malfoy Manor (MT: someone is tortured before she is fed to Voldemort’s snake). Numerous events after this involving conflict between the heroes, a lady who decays into a snake, Harry and Hermione visiting Godric’s Hollow and others play your heartstrings like a violin.
Thankfully the movie is balanced with well-timed and well-acted spots of humor. If not for these, clinical depression could have quite possible afflicted many viewers. The Weasley twins are brilliant as always to relieve the tension. Ron, being related and all, is endearing in his endless efforts to please Hermione. Harry plays with fire, Moody is himself and there’s added humor due to cinematic brilliance of the director.
One scene that has been talked about in articles online was an added scene where Harry and Hermione dance while Ron is lost. Initially, the idea of Harry and Hermione dancing seemed odd; however, the director did an amazing job, and the acting between Daniel Radcliff and Emma Watson portrayed their characters’ relief at being able to relax a little despite all of their struggles.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, I am sure you are anxious to see this if you haven’t already. I know you will enjoy this installment, almost as much as I did. Almost.
If you are not a fan of Harry Potter, read the books, watch the other films and then buy your ticket for this one. As this is an intertwined, complex series, watching with no previous knowledge would not be so spectacular.
Also, the last book has been turned into two parts. As such, you will feel a desire to use a Time-Turner despite the difficulty in obtaining one so you can skip ahead these next six months and watch Part 2.
