Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh film in the Harry Potter franchise, covers only the first half of J. K. Rowling’s final novel in the series of the same name. Running two and a half hours, the movie is beefy and a much more literal translation of the book than previous adaptations.
While this is the worst time for those who are uninitiated to enter the saga, big fans will appreciate the completeness and assumptions of the film. Furthermore, the action and scenery please even those who would be totally lost by the story.
It is finally time that the higher-ups to realize Harry Potter can no longer be succinctly condensed into one two-hour movie. Of all the books to have a two-part film adaptation, The Deathly Hallows deserves more than a single film to satisfy its fans.
As the franchise grows, and it has grown, more and more people want to see on screen what they have read, not just a visual summary.
While many events were shortened, nothing is outright skipped. However, fans can fill in the blanks themselves, something they must do often but it always happens with prompts. Nearly everyone who will see this film has read the book and wants to see the events that took place in the book.
This technique of a cursory inclusion of everything should please fans the most.
This gives the filmmakers the unique opportunity to skim over the explanations of every scene and get to what fans want to see. This is the first time one of the movies has been directly made for the enjoyment of the fans.
This stance is why this movie is absolutely fantastic. Finally, the filmmakers catered to the core fan base instead of just the mainstream audiences.
This refocus started in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince but solidifies here.
Reading all the books or at least seeing all the movies is the key to enjoying this film. Otherwise, be prepared for confusion and hushed explaining whispers from a loved one.
What the uninitiated can enjoy is the scenery. As fans know, the first half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a road trip of sorts.
Harry, Ron and Hermonie travel the countryside and are always on the move.
The places they go and the environments around them are breathtaking. The scenery is beautifully captured, almost to the point of distraction.
This sets the atmosphere of magic and wonder with a little bit of menace which grows as the film progresses.
For anyone who remembers the finale of Order of the Phoenix, the first real wand-action of the series, The Deathly Hallows is for you.
There is not as much action as the second part will probably have, but there are still lots of awesome wand-waving and whizz-bangs. The promise of magic-based action has grown with each movie since The Order of the Phoenix, and The Deathly Hallows is no exception. It makes good on the promise because it has the most action yet. However, it teases the imagination for what the second part will be like.
Part one ends right when all the major action is about to start. It is a huge cliffhanger, but it is a very logical place to stop.
Some resolution is attained, but everything is about to kick into a high gear of desperation, which is set up well because the movie ends on a downer. The final scene will leave everyone wanting much more.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows might be the best adaptation yet. It is solidly aimed at the die-hard fans, not the casual ones. Without prior knowledge, this film is a waste. The movie a pleasure to watch. Prepare to leave the theater wanting much more. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows promises an epic end to a saga and an era many have grown up with.