Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1: Review By Vamp

Well, it's been a long time since I've written a review for a movie, so bear with me if things are a little rusty from what you're used to on me behalf. Haha. First off, lemme remind you all how big of a Harry Potter fan I really am. I've read all the books 7 times (yes I mean 7 times EACH), I've seen the movies more times than I really care to admit (lest I seem like some sort of freak :P ). Anyway, while Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince were great additions into the series, both left out some points that were needed for certain aspects of storyline. I was a bit worried about how Deathly Hallows was going to be handled because honestly there wasn't a lot in it that could be left out or altered. Anyway, Half-Blood Prince left out a lot, movie-wise, that was needed to set up for Harry's quest for the horcruxes. Such as what to look for. While answers were not given in this installment, they will be in the next (I hope). I'm very interested to see where they go from there.

Anyway, on to the movie. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was very well done. One of the most faithful movies of the series, in fact. A few things altered, but they were needed so that the movie fit in with it's predecessors. In fact, there was an alteration to the movie that I really enjoyed. -SPOILER-This alteration was Hedwig's (Harry's owl) death. In the book, she just got hit by a stray curse. In the movie she flies in front of a curse to save Harry's life. It was very touching, and it actually made me shed a tear.-END SPOILER- I very much enjoyed the direction this movie took. Following the book, I had little to gripe with, and enjoyed the visual adaptation of the finale of my favorite series of books. Don't get me wrong, I loved all the previous movies, it's just that they left out a bit more than I would've liked. Anyway, I'm here to talk about the movie! I won't tell you where the movie splits the book, although I'm pretty sure there was a news article about it at some point. Anyway, I definitely enjoyed the ending of Part 1. A good place to stop, and a great way to create a cliffhanger that leaves you practically drooling for more. It was a great ride up to that point, too.

The movie is directed by David Yates, who you'll remember as directing both Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. I'll have to admit, when it was announced that Yates was signed on to finish the series after OOTP had been out, I was worried. I mean, there was SO much that was left out of that movie. It was the longest book of the entire series, and yet it was the shortest movie of the lot (so far, anyway, since I'm unsure of the run time for Part 2 of Deathly Hallows). Anyway, Steve Kloves writes the movie's script as he has for the whole series (as far as I know, anyhow), and as always he manages to create dialogue that makes, no pun intended, the Wonderful World of Harry Potter come to life. Anyway, in the "behind-the-scenes" department, things were ran very smoothly, and Yates has been fully redeemed in my eyes with this film. I'm not questioning his vision on anything, of course because I absolutely love his take on the world of wizardry. The visuals are done fantastically, and right from the opening scene you're taken on a wild ride of thrills and actions aided by some awesome visuals. Whether they be creature effects, spells and magic, or make-up, the visuals of the movie definitely do not disappoint the eye.

The story starts in the aftermath of Dumbledore's (Michael Gambon) death (sorry if you've not seen Half-Blood Prince, but it's old news now, so far as I am concerned). The ministry is making it's stand against the death eaters while at the same time, they are amassing forces and slowly but surely taking over the wizarding community. However, when the minister of magic is taken out, and the death eaters take over the ministry: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) are forced to go on the move. Their quest? To search for the mysterious and menacing horcruxes, the source of Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) growing power. However, along the way, their friendships are tested as they are pushed to the limit and forced to endure more than a seventeen year-old should ever have to do. Constantly on the run from the ministry, Ron is cut off from his family, the Weasleys: Molly (Julie Walters), Arthur (Mark Williams), Fred and George (James and Oliver Phelps), and Ginny (Bonnie Wright). Ron's not the only one missing Ginny, though, as Harry longs for his love, whom he cannot see, lest he risk endangering her life. Old friends return to help aid Harry along the way, but ultimately the final task is left to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry's vision into Voldemort's head causes a constant flow of unwanted, but somewhat necessary information. Necessary because it helps them to find out what Voldemort is looking for: the fabled Deathly Hallows. A legend that some wizards believe to be a fairytale, and others don't even know exist. All the trio know is that if Voldemort DOES find them, their days may just be numbered.

The cast of Harry Potter, including such greats as Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Brendan Gleeson, as well as the ones mentioned above, has been one of the most intense casts ever put together. The fact that they've managed to keep every actor who started out back in 2001 in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (with the exception of the late Richard Harris who past away between Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban) all the way to the end is something I applaud them for. It's made watching these characters grow and mature and learn and change so much more satisfying and fun, and all in all, adds to the series' overall epic factor. If that makes any sense to you. :P Anyway, everyone pulls out the cards, being so used to their roles by now that it's got to be a second nature to them, and really makes Deathly Hallows a fantastic experience. You find yourself immersed in the storyline, just waiting for something to happen because you know by some force of intuition that excitement is just around the corner. It's thrilling, and I love that in movies. Something that Deathly Hallows: Part 1 really utilized. So I applaud the cast at bringing these characters to life once more as the wizarding world hits it's time of chaos. Because you know this is only the beginning of the end.

All in all? I'd say go see this movie straight away. If you love any of the Harry Potter movies, you'll love this one ten times as much. It's fantastic, follows the source material, and is an overall fun ride. You'll love being pulled into the chaos that is Voldemort's upheaval. I'd say this movie is more than worth your money, and I urge each and every one of you to go out and see it as soon as you possibly can because disappointment is not an issue in this installment to the Harry Potter franchise. Two thumbs up, as they say. :)