moviewizguy

17 May 2012

It All Ends Here

Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilousmission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortalityand destruction--the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance oftheir professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the threefriends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are DarkForces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart. (Warner Bros.Pictures)As the WB logo appeared deteriorating before my very eyes, I knewthings have changed since the first HP film. Each succeeding HP filmhas gotten progressively darker as the series is coming to its end.HP7, the first part of the last film, doesn't change the pattern. It'sa dark film, literally and figuratively. The film shows blood as if itwere nothing and even the cinematography has gone shaky-cam style insome action scenes. However, being part of the last film and all, HP7doesn't have a lot of action as one might have thought. It's arguablythe slowest moving HP film to date and that's equally its main strengthand downfall.Having the pace slow down quite a bit hurts the film for the mostobvious reason: It meanders, especially in the second act. I actuallyfelt like looking at my watch, which never happened to me before in theprevious films. However, the film is still filled with a lot ofinformation. Non-readers will find themselves overwhelmed by theinformation hurdled at them and even I, who have read the books, feltconfused in parts of the film. Ironically, most of the series' bestmoments are in this film. That's because the slow pace allows for a lotof intimate scenes between the three young actors, Daniel Radcliffe,Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.These three actors have grown with each passing film and it shows here.I think Watson and Grint were really at the top of their games in thisfilm. Radcliffe, while the weakest, is good too but not as good as theother two. While I'll take intimate scenes between them over action anyday, there were just some scenes that were really tedious. Still, thatdidn't ruin the film for me. It just bothered me. The other castmembers don't appear in the film as much, but it's appropriateconsidering the three main actors are isolated from society. Like theprevious HP films, the cinematography and production are gorgeous andthe score by newcomer Alexandre Desplat brings in a fresh voice to thefranchise.As a fan, I would say this is the most disappointing HP film to date,although that's no way to say the film is bad. It's a good film, but avery flawed one at that mainly due to it's slow pacing. The threeactors are as great as ever and the film ends at the perfect point forpart two. If you're a HP fan, there's no doubt you'll enjoy this.

bock_g

17 May 2012

A deeper and more plot-driven film

At last, the nine (or almost ten if you count part II) years of themagical and adventurous film adaption of the Harry Potter series comesto an end. The Deathly Hallows focuses on Harry Potter and his friendssearching for magical objects called Horcuxes which supposedly containparts of the Dark Wizard Voldemort's soul. The wizarding world as wellas the muggle world is under the threat of the band of Dark Wizards ledby Voldemort known as the Death Eaters. Using various concealing spellsand tricks, Harry and his friends go through an obstacle course ofdanger, arguments, and losing key people to the series. Compared to themore loosely-adapted predecessors, The Deathly Hallows avoids the over-use of magical gizmo's and gags but rather focuses on the story and thestruggling relationship between Harry and his two friends as well asthe intense search for clues about Dumbledore's message to Harry andthe way to defeat Voldemort. Despite the long duration, this film isvery compelling as the first two films of the series and could reallymake you anticipate for Part II.

dawning_horizon

15 May 2012

Delightful, in general-but lacking a little je ne sais quoi

Just got back from a midnight preview of Harry Potter and the DeathlyHallows. In general, I thought it was an alright film- just not quite up toHarry Potter standard or my expectations, either. From the trailer onewould expect lots of action; don't get me wrong, there IS action-ratherabundantly too, but it feels like they crammed all the edge-of-the-seat, get-your-heart-racing scenes into the trailer, so I didn't feellike there was anything especially surprising about the film.Everything that was anything was in the trailer. That said, it does stay rather true to the book, certain scenes arealmost translated word-to- image on the screen! I suppose certain fanswould say 'Bravo, Yates!', but I beg to differ. Because the scenes wereso similar, I knew exactly what was coming next and it filled me with asense of dread, and I couldn't smile, much less laugh, along with therest of the cinema-goers. (There was a certain scene where this wasparticularly apparent, but I shan't spoil the fun.) Thus I felt thefilm lacked the element of surprise; there were few, if at all, new andrefreshing interpretations of the seventh book. I do realize it'sdifficult to interpret a book (especially one as complicated as HarryPotter), but after all- this is Harry Potter, not some half-rate film,so it would have been very nice if the film had been a little morecreative while still staying true to the book. Also, another notable mention would be that many people in the cinemaexpressed tremendous disgruntlement 'What? It's ending here?' 'What acliff-hanger!' 'How CAN they stop here' when the movie ended (quiteabruptly, in my opinion) with Voldemort. In fact, it felt almost likethat scene was deliberately crafted and pushed forward simply to markthe ending of the 'first part', which further added to my personalfeelings that the seventh film should have been a mega 4 hour marathonwith a no-stops-allowed and no-holds-barred kind of pace. Perhaps thisis why the film didn't leave me trembling with tremulous emotion oranything particularly thought-provoking to think about. It just feltlike another Harry Potter film- acceptable for the first couple but notquite for the last. (However, I acknowledge that they had to endSOMEWHERE, given that they split the movie into half. Though if theymade the decision to separate the parts, the least they could was tomake well sure that the ending was satisfactory and not quitenonsensical, in my opinion. Or else keep it as one. Difficult leapsbuild up immense anticipation-and they didn't quite live up to mine.)Hats off to you, J.K Rowling; Yates- not bad, but definitely lackingmystique-wise. One has to wonder, has David Yates and the screenwriterslost their steam?P.S In fact, one would say, the film lacked that spark of 'magic' (punintended) that the books have in abundance, and unexpected turns ofevents (which the film conveys too blatantly and in a slightlyin-your-face style, in my opinion) are what makes Harry Potter one ofthe most ingenious series ever written in our time.

phoenix-505

14 May 2012

It's a Motion Picture Event of a Generation...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the best Harry Pottermovie with Excellent Soundtrack, Dark and Thrilling, heart and theoccasional Exhilarating action to deliver an Engrossing MagicalSpectacle. When the movie started with the WB Logo differently Ithought it would be certainly different from other Harry Potter Movies.Although the Movie missed many interesting Scenes according to Booklike "the presence of Viktor Krum in Fleur & Bill's Wedding", "Somescenes after the capture of trio in Malfoy Manor" & "Some talk duringDeath Eater Meeting at Malfoy Manor" but it successfully deliveredDark, Thrilling and Suspense. I really hope this movie to cross the "1Billion US$" Mark and over.I can't really wait until July for anotherAction packed release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2...

drachirloyah

10 May 2012

Dark, harrowing, intense and this is only the first half!

The problem with adapting a book like the Deathly Hallow, the finalstory in an incredibly rich fantasy saga, is that after 7 films andwith so many characters and elements introduced, it's near impossibleto bring it all together for one final satisfying film. Indeed the flawof the films as a whole is that they've inevitably lacked the samedepth as the source material and the filmmakers have at times ratherneglected non-readers of the book by failing to explain certain things,something that is perhaps more apparent under Yates' direction. As afilm however, Part 1 is a very good attempt and possesses as much magicand charm as the series has always had whilst trying to be somethinguniquely different. Director David Yates has been perhaps unfairlycriticised in the last film for focusing so much on the charactersinstead of paying attention to specific details in the plot(contradictory I know) but here in Part 1, Yates finally seems to havestruck that balance.Inevitably the final book was always going to be a spectacle filledevent with incredible set pieces and series defining moments and forthe most part Yates hits all the right notes and delivers a movie thatdevoted fans should be impressed with. Particular highlights include aPolyjuice Potion filled excursion into the Death Eater controlledMinistry, a snake fight in Godric's Hollow, Battle of Souls with aHorcrux and imprisonment, torture and escape from Malfoy Manor. Whilstthe set pieces generally thrill what is never substituted or forgottenis the characters, especially in the extended roaming segments of thestory where the film relies solely on its three leads. They'vecaptivated us for the last ten years and here they are never betterwith genuine chemistry and great performances. All three of them havetheir stand out moments in the prelude to the finale and it's great weget to spend some time with them before all hell breaks loose.There are a few missteps however; pacing is all over the place in theearlier segments and as a consequence the opening Sky Attack set piecedoesn't deliver what it should. The sequence feels a little indulgentcreatively and the scene feels terribly rushed and therefore whatshould be a tense and thrilling sequence ends up being rather flat andunsatisfying. As with Phoenix and Prince, Yates shows confidence inhandling special effects and his films have established a consistenttone and style that brings Potter to life with utmost conviction butwhat he lacks is a sense of importance to the smaller details. A boldand wise move to those familiar to the novel but for others theglossing over of specific details in the story doesn't necessarily makesense to those unfamiliar with the novels; for instance a shard ofbroken glass with a strange eye looking and the nature of the twincores of Harry and Voldemort's wand. There are some elements that havebeen neglected somewhat but the overall problem that Part 1 has is thatit is only the first part of a larger movie. With the epic finalshowdown expected in Part 2, Part 1 acts merely as the prelude andwhilst it does well to set up the final conflict, as a movie experienceit isn't either as conclusive or as satisfying as a complete picture.However taking the unique structure and the first part element awayfrom the proceedings, Deathly Hallows is the most harrowing and intensePotter film so far. Yates somehow manages to succeed (as in hisprevious two movies) in creating this tense, eerie, and dark atmospherethat makes this world seem completely different than before. The dangerfeels constant throughout and some of the themes are sadly familiar;'Magic is Might', the Muggle-Born Registration Committee, the facelessnames given out by the chilling radio broadcast of the newest victimsof the Death Eater regime. It's not short of humour either becausethere are a welcome number of laughs to help balances things outcontrasted with scenes of intense sadness that Yates executes withgut-wrenching perfection.It's not a complete movie but in terms of a first half; it's one hellof a good first part that will leave all Potterites gagging for theepic finale in Part 2

allan_baker

10 May 2012

Darkness, losses of heart and faith prior to the last moment

Bill Nighy is a perfect introductory character. He's the perfectvampire, although they could have touched his factions more likedescribed in the book. Really prepares you for what is about to burstin.The plot of the book is reproduced 80/20 leading the 20 to be morecreative regarding what is to happen. Some things not included wouldhave shown how JK Rowling conceived the true Harry Potter not as a kidbut as a mature man now aware of his destiny. And its great to see ourfavorite trio of wizards now truly in a fight. Liked the action, likedthe romance, but did not like the character deaths. I would recommend that the other movies be watched before you evenconsider watching this one. Information is knowledge and this is aperfect preparation so that you're not confused or out of touch.Finally, I must recommend the book to be fully, completely and finallyread. This is because you're likely to expect more changes to the otherfilm yet to come. As if this wasn't enough for the book fans.

07 May 2012

A stellar adaptation of HP and the Deathly Hallows

Given that the concluding novel in the Harry Potter series covers so much in terms of plot and characterization, it is fitting that the movie was divided into two parts. I was quite wary about this latest installment in the HP franchise after some of the liberties taken with HP and the Half-Blood Prince (though I still loved it). I feel that HP and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is one of the most (if not, the most) faithful adaptation of a HP novel to be brought to the silver screen. There is a perfect synergy of all the elements that made me fall in love with the story of HP as written in the books - great characterization made possible by credible and amazing acting; gorgeous cinematography; a score that perfectly captures the angst, tension, and drama of the unfolding story; and special effects that awe without overwhelming the audience or detract from the story.The only thing I'd like to mention and I feel is important is that this particular installment really does require prior knowledge of the Harry Potter novels. This movie takes it for granted that viewers will be able to fill in the blanks, like why does Hermione have to perform a spell on her parents which erases her existence from their memories? Throughout the movie, little snippets of Potter lore are sprinkled about which will delight any devoted fan but might confound and frustrate any newcomer to the series (which is why I would recommend starting from the first movie and working one's way through the series, in order). To really understand all that is going on, and the significance of certain things unfolding during the movie, I would recommend reading the book (to be able to see a particular scene and think, "That's exactly how I imagined it would happen!" or "Ahh, so that's the significance of the ..." was an enriching and immensely satisfying experience for me).I am not going to rehash the plot in detail - basically, this movie takes off some time after HP and the Half-Blood Prince ended. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) sends the Dursleys off to a safe spot as he prepares to go on his quest for the remaining Horcruxes which hold parts of Voldemort's soul. He is joined by best pals Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). Part One of Deathly Hallows traces the trio's journey and sense of aimlessness (for they know not where the remaining horcruxes are); tension and strife between Ron and Harry; Hermione's sadnesss at losing Ron briefly; the constant pressure of being on the run; and perhaps most significantly, discovering that each of them truly have a purpose, that it is together and not individually that they are able to gain advantage over the Dark Lord. The actors who play the leads have truly come into their own and it is just amazing to see these young actors mature into and inhabit each of their roles with credibility and assurance, playing their characters with great depth. It is even more amazing given that they have been playing these roles for more than a decade, yet never do they show that they are tiring of their roles or just doing it for the money - there's real passion here.My only grouse is that Snape (Alan Rickman) does not get much screen time, but I'm sure that will be redressed in Part Two where he plays a more significant role. Helena Bonham-Carter was a hoot to watch as usual, playing the maniacal role of Bellatrix Lestrange with a fervor unmatched by any screen villainess in recent time (at least in my opinion). Ralph Fiennes portrays the Dark Lord with a credible sense of evil and malignancy, though his appearances in this installment are mainly via flashbacks and Harry's connection with the Dark Lord's thoughts.Three things that caught my interest (well, many things actually, but these three were unique): The dramatization of the tale of the three brothers, i.e. the Peverell brothers was done via animation, and it is gloriously done, with understatement yet is effective in conveying to the viewer the significance of this tale to Harry's quest. Another was the controversial scene between Harry and Hermione (spoiler ahead!) - Hermione and Harry are shown in an intimate embrace during a confrontation with the Dark Lord's soul and Ron who has been beseeched with doubts regarding their relationship flounders whilst the clock is ticking. This scene was tastefully done, and not explicit at all (except for kissing), so the PG-13 rating is safe! Finally, the scenes of persecution against the Mud-Bloods were so well-done and captured the hysteria that was so reminiscent of another time in the past, i.e. Nazi Germany during WW II.Overall, I feel this is a great set-up to the final installment in the HP series, and will especially please ardent fans of the novels. There is a perfect blend of drama, tension, bleakness, and even humor. Recommended!

07 May 2012

Dark - not the content but the way it was fimed

This review is from: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (DVD) I agree with the reviewers who thought that the movie was the condensed version. Much is left out of the movie, but I know that from seeing it in the theater rather than watching the DVD. The standard DVD is so dark that the screen is completely black in many places, with only voices rather than picture. Watching this DVD is kind of like listening to a very abridged audio book. And no, it is not my DVD player. I tried the DVD (two at this point) in another DVD player and on my MacBook with the same results. I'm just waiting on the return label so I can send both copies back.

04 May 2012

timing

This review is from: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (DVD) I was pleased when I found out that I could pre-order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1. When I could have bought it four days before I received mine in the mail and a little cheaper. Needless to say, I was totally disappointed...

The Good, The Bad, and the F--king Terrible.

03 May 2012

Harry Potter and the OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF THE CAMPING!!!!

Just as with the books and movies, the men, women, boys, and girlsportraying the now iconic Rowling characters have evolved, both intalent and physical appearance, over the years. I, of course, wouldlike to disregard their evolving talent for a moment and focusparticularly on the physical aspect, meaning…oh my effing Jesus, EmmaWatson is supreme erection worthy gorgeous. Honestly, if I had todescribe her in a word, "BA-BAM" would be the only one that wouldproperly suffice.Moving on…(aka cooling down)As for the film itself, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,was unexpectedly good. I say "unexpectedly" because anyone who has readthe book knows that the first half is filled with monotonous campingdescriptions. And as exciting as one hot chick, a nerd, and a grossginger hanging out in the woods sounds, it was actually more in theleague of these infamous literary creations:(1)Signs Homeless People Write(2) Any Letter Written by a Child (3) AnyBook Removed of All Print, Excluding Punctuation Marks (4) TheScreenplay for Step Up-3D (My Favorite)In hindsight, I'm not even sure it was the movie I liked. It may havejust been the fact that they—meaning those involved in making the film—seemingly sculpted Michelangelo's David out of a lump of s**t. Kudos to"them" for recreating Michelangelo's David, but lest we forget, it wasstill made out of s**t. Cool to look at, yeah, but f**k…how good can asculpture made out of s**t really be?

Neil Welch

30 April 2012

Dark, low on story - and excellent

While I don't intend to spoiler plot, I daresay I may spoiler a numberof bits and pieces. So beware.The final HP book becomes a two-part movie, the first part of which isnotable for the fact that not a single bit of it takes part atHogwarts. The overall tone is full of foreboding, and rightly so -Voldemort is winning, well and truly, and Harry, the only hope for theforces of good, is forced on the run. This sense of foreboding iscemented right at the start by a short scene where Hermione wipes everytrace of her own existence from her parents' life for their protection- a moment of such desperate sadness that it tells you how high thestakes are before anything else happens (just in case you had forgottenDumbledore's death at the end of Half-Blood Prince).There is a lot of action in this film, but not much story actuallyhappens, and it doesn't have much of a plot of its own. This was one ofthe joys of the earlier books/films - each had a solid story and itwasn't until several volumes in that you came to appreciate that youwere seeing episodes in a much larger story. Well, that larger story isapproaching its climax, but rather slowly.Having said that, the film always holds your attention, perhaps becausethere is some long overdue depth offered to the developingrelationships between the three principals. Given that the three arethrown together for an extended sequence simply staying out of sight ofVoldemort's faction, this perhaps inevitable. This sequence, whichdragged quite badly in the novel, actually works well on screen, andRadcliffe, Watson and Grint all acquit themselves well. Again, one canhardly take one's eyes off Watson, and it is good to see Grint given abit more to do than his usual comedy double takes while lookinggormless.In among the general darkness there are some genuinely creepy andupsetting moments, as well as a couple of moments which make yourealise that these kids are now young adults.Almost all previous surviving character cast members (with the notableexception of Maggie Smith) put in appearances, and I was struck by howperfectly cast these movies have been.For a film which has, probably, less story than any of itspredecessors, I enjoyed it more than most of them.

classicalsteve

30 April 2012

Books and Films Keep Ascending the Magical Ladder of Storytellng Classics: Most Mature Harry Potter Movie Yet

It's hard to believe we've now been living with Harry Potter for goingon 12 years for Americans, and 13 years if you're British since thefirst book was published in the UK as "Harry Potter and thePhilosopher's Stone" in 1997 and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer'sStone" in the US in 1998. In the first installment of the last book,Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, the entire Harry Potterenterprise has literally come-of-age. The story and characters havematured along with the writer, her readers/film-goers, as well as theactors in the primary roles. Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and DanielRadcliffe in the roles of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and HarryPotter have grown up along with their youthful wizards, and the actorsthemselves are fast-earning the right to be regarded as A-list talent.Hopefully, they will have fine careers ahead of them, assuming theywon't be forever type-cast as the Hogwarts wizard students of the HarryPotter novels. And of course, the ultimate credit of the series belongsto J.K. Rowling who has created a universe as recognizable as JRRTolkien's Middle Earth, Stephen King's Dark Tower, and Anne Rice's 18thand 19th-century vampire societies.The rest of the cast of "HP and the Deathly Hallows", aside from theyoung leads, comprises bona fide A-list actors who were alreadydemonstrating the heights of their craft long before J.K. Rowling waspenning Harry Potter in tea shops as a single mother on welfare inBritain. Ironically, the names topping the list play the villains anddark characters: Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, Alan Rickman asSeverus Snape, and Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange. Specialrecognition has to be paid to Fiennes as Voldemort whose demonicpersona makes the likes of Dracula and Frankenstein's monster appearmore like bank robbers by comparison. Fiennes, despite the warped faceand absent nose, is entirely believable as the sworn enemy of HarryPotter and an adversary to all that is good in the Wizard World.However the crux of the tale (as with the rest of the series),surrounds the three young leads inside an incredible production. Thefirst couple of installments were written more for a younger age group.Now the characters and their respective actors have grown in complexityand subtlety. They reside inside the skins of their characters in wayswhich make you believe they understand and appreciate them more. Nolonger the smart class show-off of younger years, Hermione has growninto a young woman beginning to appreciate more fully the powers shehas been taught which can transform the world rather than simply beingthe most-liked by her teachers. Weasley has a better sense of himselfand is now dating Hermione which would have been unthinkable in thefirst few Harry Potter stories. And Harry Potter is nearing the momentwhen he can face Lord Vortemort as a near-equal without cringing at thesound of the name.The plot of the present installment is the most complex and compellingyet. Voldemort has gained power over the Ministry of Magic who arerunning the wizard government akin to Nazism of the 1930's. Anyone with"muggle" (i.e. non-wizard) blood risks being expelled and/or subdued byhigh-ranking officials in kangaroo courts. They have even placed aroman-inspired relief in the wizard town square showing muggles beingsubdued by magic. Although the wizard ministry and government are runby mortal wizards, Lord Voldemort is pulling the puppet strings like ademonic equivalent of the Godfather. He is on the verge of gainingcomplete immortality through the Horcrux's, amulet artifacts which alsohave an interesting side-affect of making the wearer become moreself-absorbed and selfish, not unlike the Ring of the "Lord of theRings". Dumbledore had begun the mission of destroying the Horcrux's asa means of defeating Voldemort; the mission now is passed onto HarryPotter and his friends. Harry Potter along with allies escort him to arefuge but are immediately besieged by the soulless dementors. Theremust have been a traitor among them which tipped off Voldemort.The three young wizards then engage in a two-fold quest: to obtain anddestroy the Horcrux's to stop Voldemort from permanently gainingimmortality thereby becoming the absolute-ruler of the Wizard World foreternity. Think of Adolph Hitler wielding a wand. Unfortunately, theHorcrux's appear indestructible, and they must obtain an artifactwilled to Potter from the late Dumbledore, a sword, Godric Gryffindor,which Hermione realizes may contain enough power to destroy theHorcrux. During their quest, they keep stumbling upon a strangetriangular symbol, which even appears on one of the stones of acemetery at Harry Potter's birthplace which is also his parents'deathplace.A brilliant and compelling film all the way around despite having beenabsent from Hogwarts, with absolutely phenomenal effects which neitherimpedes the story nor hinders the acting but enhances the Wizard Worldand the story contained within. The acting is some of the best I haveseen for a fantasy film/story, it's only rival Peter Jackson's "Lord ofthe Rings". The best which can said of this film is that it neverappears like the filmmakers were relying solely on the Harry Pottername for success. They have forged a brilliant film to climax theseries, one of the best all-time in fantasy-filmmaking.

30 April 2012

Great movie. Loved it

This review is from: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (Amazon Instant Video) Loved this one. It was better than my favorite, the 1st installment. Dark, great acting, very emotional. I watched the rental on my pc - great quality, no complaints.

capone666

30 April 2012

The Vidiot Reviews...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1While most teen mages are binge drinking potions and experimenting withhex, the sophomoric sorcerer in this fantasy film is more concernedwith retrieving magical trinkets.With Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his cronies (Helena BonhamCarter, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton) on their trail, Harry Potter (DanielRadcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) embark on aquest for Voldemort's fragmented soul.En route, they unearth a fairy tale that speaks to three enchanteditems that could turn the tide in their battle against evil: the ElderWand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility.The first half of the seventh and final installment of the Harry Potterfranchise, Deathly Hallows is the most rewarding: the pacing isprecipitate, the action is amplified and the relationships are thrownthrough the wringer.Nevertheless, conjuring up a sequel inside of an existing sequel is themischievous handiwork of marketing witchcraft. (Green Light)vidiotreviews.blogspot.com

Sa'ar Vardi

28 April 2012

A big spit in the face

Judging by the trailers and the build up throughout the past 9 year and6 movies, I was expecting HP7a to be a grand finale with a big showdownbetween Harry and Voldermort. Instead I got Harry and Hermione zappingfrom one place to another with seemingly no purpose, little to nearlynone plot or character development, etc. Also, there were yet morequestions asked (instead of the kind of answers you'd like to find in apenultimate film of a very long franchise), and - to top it all - majorcharacters died off-screen (who does that?), and again, I didn't reallysee what point this served.Last but not least, I felt like the ending was a big spit in my face asa fan. Instead of dragging the damn thing and filling it withunnecessary gloomy stares courtesy of Harry, Hermione and Ron, theycould have at least sneaked in one big action sequence that'll satisfythe audience. Why not give us some answers about these Horocrux's? Whynot arrange a mini-meeting between the lead protagonist and thevillain, like we've been promised in the trailer? Instead, the filmjust ended suddenly, abruptly, courtesy of the greedy suits inHollywood. Thanks a lot. Not.

Brandon Oberdorf

27 April 2012

Epic, dark, dramatic, thrilling, and all those other things that define Harry Potter and the Dethly Hallows Part 1

Dark, thrilling, and exhilarating than ever in this incredible entryfor the beginning of the end in the Harry Potter series. I went to themidnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt.1 and wasexceptionally amazed.As I'm sure you know the story; Harry, Ron, andHermoine have left school to destroy the objects called Horcruxes,which are needed to defeat the dark lord Voldemort while he rises topower. The tagline 'nowhere is safe" really does set the dark andengaging tone of the movie because the trio is constantly being huntedand attacked by death eaters and snatchers. With Voldemort now incontrol of the wizarding world hes sees that anyone who isn'tpure-blood (One parent wizard/witch and muggle) are abominations tosociety. The director made that whole scenario feel like a World War 2anti league which made to enemies cause to be important towardseveryone in the wizarding world. And Then also there was a scene whenthe tale of three brothers was told in a animated Tim Burton like themewhich was interesting non the less. Though detail was taken out from afew important key points but hey, its a movie based off a book theydon't always get everything, right? I also have to add that the chase ithe beginning to get Harry to safety was making me shake inanticipation, one of my favorite scenes no doubt. But one thing thatdid bug me was the big story gap between the wedding and the breakinginto the ministry which felt went by rather fast.With so much intenseaction throughout the movie also needs proper music. Alexandre Despletdid the soundtrack for pt.1 and did an awesome job in creating a darkand exciting mood to each scene. Every actor gave it their all inmaking themselves really feel the characters and never before was itthis good.Emma Watsons torture scene put my teeth on edge, and Harry'semotions from the troubles that surround him made him a grade A HarryPotter from the book. Dan, Rupert, and Emma will go down in history forthis magical and extravagant series, but never have the risks anddangers ever been on such high a scale which is why this installmentfeels better than all the others combined. As a Harry Potter fan sincethe beginning I can honestly say I was pleased with every minute andthat this not only was the greatest, dark, emotional, intense, andaction packed Potter film it defiantly will be one of the best moviesof the year. But this will please any hardcore fan as it will supplyyou with everything you would need for the inevitable Deathly Hallowspt.2 and with the epic follow-up of pt.1 the series will prove thatthese books and movies that were part of so many others childhoods willalways deliver big so then they can later on in life teach down thatHarry Potter was one of the greatest series of all time. -Brandon A.Oberdorf

npark009

24 April 2012

Did not live up to the hype!

I loved all the books and all the movies. But I believe I speak formany when I say that JK Rowling's work was always better than DavidYates'. Although these two cannot be fairly compared, all the movieswere still enjoyable to watch as it offered a clear visual of themajestic wizarding school and the beautiful Hermione granger. But thisone did not cut it, AT ALL.I was glad when I heard that the Deathly Hallows would be split intotwo parts because I assumed that meant more details and less cramming.Part 1 lacked explanation and an enormous amount of detail that made mestress throughout the movie. Here are some that I noticed:- The movie did not talk about Dumbledore and his past with his brotherat all even though the brother is a crucial factor at the end of themovie.- They NEVER used the invisibility cloak. it's part of the deathlyhallows! I mean come on, its the title of the damn movie.- It did not explain why Harry's wand acted on it self when Harry wasunconscious and attacked by Voldermort at the beginning of the movie. - We were unable to see the inner thoughts of Harry after his wand hadbroke. We were shown one implication of displease when Harry said thatit was fine and told Hermoine to get some rest. Harry's wand was such abig deal in the first movie, but easily overlooked when it broke inthis movie.- After they end up in the wilderness, the movie begins to drag.The way they made this movie was done on purpose so that nothing reallymade sense and it would all come together in part II. The ultimatecliff hanger. Although I agree with splitting the movie into two, I feel that this2hr 30min movie could've been a lot more productive. Part II must havea recap of part I like the TV shows always do at the beginning of anepisode because people will forget what exactly happened in part I andthere will be mass confusionWith no doubt, part II will be extremely exciting with all thememorable/important scenes all in one movie, but in the end, Part Icould've been much better.

Emily B

23 April 2012

It could have been so much more!

I usually dislike movies based upon books, but the first six HarryPotter movies were a very pleasant change and stuck as closely to thebooks as could be squeezed into a few hours of screen time.Unfortunately, HP7 is the exception to that. When I read the book, Imentioned to my husband I had no idea how they would cover everythingin one movie and was pleased to hear they split it in two, but thismovie was a huge disappointment. Everything that made the book a realconclusion to the story was skipped in favor of shaky-cam dramaticsthat jumped from scene to scene, leaving the important and symbolicportions on the cutting room floor.The actors did a great job and have proved themselves as professionals,and the special effects are brilliant. From the heroes to the villains,every one of them played their parts to perfection. I can't say enoughgood things about the casting and acting throughout the series, andthat continues in HP7. The special effects made me see the fantasticworld in visual form. Each of those things have been top-notch in theformer stories and continued in this one.What's the problem, then? Everything important in the book wasabandoned. The book started with a scene between Harry and the Dursleysmuch like all the previous ones. It really highlighted the end ofinnocence for the two cousins in a farewell with Dudley that wasshamefully left out of the film. I think that one scene could haveframed the transition in far less screen time than the releasednonsense, and the movie went downhill from there. Fans of brainlessaction flicks will probably adore this film since that's the styleadopted, but the symbolism and dark wonder characterized in the realstory was entirely absent in the film.The filming style was nauseating in many places, and in one particularscene towards the end, a girl in the row behind us muttered that shecouldn't watch the shaky camera shots any longer or she would be sick.My husband commented it was like someone took a snippet from BlairWitch Project and flung it in the middle of this movie. Trulydisappointing.I don't know why so much creative license was taken in this versionwhen the previous movies stuck pretty closely to the books. This couldhave been so much better, particularly since there are two films tocover what was admittedly a lot of important information in the books.Unfortunately, the editing and cinematography fell flat on its face.

mysteryfan04

22 April 2012

Darker With Less Action

It's the beginning of the end. Harry Potter 7: Part 1 is a majordeparture from the previous films. This movie is a lot darker, moreviolent, and thankfully, scarier than most horror films out nowadays.Harry, Ron, and Hermione are finally seventeen. They are now ready totake Dumbledore's mission to destroy all of Voldemort's Horcruxes,which hold his soul. As the trio tries to hunt down all of theHorcruxes, they mature and discover just how much they've grownemotionally and romantically. The numerous scares work thanks to thewonderful visuals, musical score, and cinematography. Like the otherHarry Potter films, there are few action scenes, but when present, theyare well-choreographed and completely engaging. The characters arefurther developed, revealing new relationships as well as someintriguing secrets. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watsondeliver their best performances yet. Each one of them gets their momentto shine and prove why they deserve to have great careers after thisfranchise ends. The director and screenwriter were terrific in makingthis film more mature then its predecessors, but several flaws place itbelow the best of the films (the 3rd, 5th, and 6th in my opinion). Toomany awkward scenes are present, and the usual touches of humor areplaced in the most inappropriate moments of the film. The plot as awhole will feel tricky and confusing at various points throughout thefilm because far too much is happening at once. Additionally, thepacing feels a little off. Harry Potter 7: Part 1 is a solid but unevenpenultimate entry to the deservedly popular franchise.

cloud_932

22 April 2012

Emotionally charged and faithful

When I was 8 I got Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone forChristmas. I loved it and it got instilled as part of my childhood.Then the films came, others hated them,mainly for omitting key elementsof the books but I enjoyed them for what they were: a visualrepresentation of a series many love.Like others when I heard DH was being split into two films I wascynical to say the least then I saw pt1. Shocked is an understatement.Iwent with my best friend who had already seen it so knew all theemotional points of the film and looked at me whenever they occurred.She said that for a kid who doesn't show emotions she'd never seen suchan erray of emotions.The tone is darker, as usual.But this time it fits,it's no longer justa gimmick to draw in older audiences but integral to the plot. Thebooks got genuinely darker but the films just felt like it had beenshoehorned in. DH though,manages to make it feel naturally darker.Be itfrom the muted colours,ominous soundtrack or overall sense ofdesperation JK portrayed in the book.Quite honestly I thought the filmdid a better job of showing the tension between Harry,Ron andHermione.The book described it brilliantly but Grint managed to stealthe film in my opinion with subtle facial expressions that are pairedwith love and jealousy culminating into showing what matters most tohim Yes things are omitted again but this time it's for the better asthey'd probably take away from the atmosphere, things that had beenleft out before are briefly explained(Greyback attacking Bill in HBPfor example) but none of this would have mattered if the actors andspecial effects hadn't been as amazing as they were. The effects looknatural and the actors have really matured.The one scene I enjoyedhighly was the Three Brothers tale brilliantly narrated with amazingvisuals. The audio too is amazing, the soundtrack subtler and in asurprising move cut out completely during one chase scene which justadded to its intensity. The main thing that cemented its status asamazing though was Dobby's death.When he died in the book all Iscreamed in maths for weeks was 'DOBBY'S DEAD'.The film though actuallytook me beyond crying, sobbing to a point where my friend had toactually hug me and comfort me. This is from a guy who never cries.Thesingle annoyance for me though wasn't the fleeting appearances of somecharacters,or the omitance of some scenes or even the feel it's a 'roadmovie' no all these make the film feel like itshould;desolate,desperate and isolated.Completely on edge. No I wasannoyed Dobby's headstone wasn't included.Possibly the most poignantmoment of the entire series for me but I can forgive them for that asthe film was still amazing. It ended where I thought it would and leftme wanting more after the 146min runtime literally flew by. If pt2manages to be this true and amazing Potter fans are in for anspectacular swansong. 10/10 easily. Oh and a note to Twillightfans,actors and directors...this is how true love and friendship isdisplayed.Not by smouldering looks and a plot thrown in.No insteadinfuse the plot with natural feelings and you get a true relationshipcreated not the soft-core porn for teenage girls I was forced to sitthrough.That is all. Cloud932 out.