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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010), PG-13, ★★★


All right. Here we are. It all ends with these last two movies but have to do with the same plot line as Harry, Ron and Hermione does not return to Hogwarts as they find the remaining Horcruxes, which are particular objects that can be a puzzle piece to someone's soul. In this case, they have to find Horcruxes that will attempt to wound him a bit so Harry can kill him. When reading the final book of the series, I just could not put the book down as the story to finding them was interesting and real exciting as we join them on the journey. But, also hearing the unprecedented news of the final movie being divided into two parts, I was excited because we get more material. With Part 1, the movie provides solid filmmaking coupled with real-good performances from the the three main actors. But, sometimes, the story does get set aside to set too much mood and filler as they build up to the conclusion.



The movie starts off as the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy) addressing the wizarding media that the Ministry will remain strong as Lord Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) forces will increase. Harry, Ron and Hermione (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) get ready to embark on a quest as Harry gets the Dursleys to move out and Hermione erases her parents' memories. Lord Voldemort meets with his forces along with the Malfoys (Jason Isaacs and Tom Felton), Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) and Snape (Alan Rickman). They discuss when it is the right opportunity to attack Harry Potter.

Harry, Ron and Hermione get help from the Order consisting of Moody (Brendan Gleeson), Kingsley (George Harris), Tonks (Natalia Tena), Lupin (David Thewlis), Bill Weasley (Downhill Gleeson), Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy), Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and Fred and George Weasley (James and Oliver Phelps) to guide Harry to escape as most of them use Polyjuice Potion to create six decoy Harrys. During their escape to the Weasley home, they are ambushed by Death Eaters. They kill both Mad-Eye Moody and Hedwig, Harry's owl and they knock out Hagrid and injure George. Harry duels with Voldemort during the battle but Voldemort is outnumbered.

Scrimgeour arrives at the Burrow with Dumbledore's will and distributes items to Harry, Ron and Hermione. During Bill and Fleur's wedding, they are receiving news that the Death Eaters have killed Scrimgeour and attack them as the three main characters Apparate into London.



There's not much to say as to how the plot will unfold because this is a first part of the two sides of the movie that will further investigate the Horcruxes, Harry's past and the battle of Hogwarts. However, this movie was not as exciting as the rest of the series because the movie involves mostly all three of them finding Horcruxes. But, the crux of this movie is the chemistry between these characters. We believe that they are in peril with a bit of suspense. The best sequence or the most suspenseful sequence is Harry, Ron and Hermione disguise themselves under the Polyjuice Potion as they infiltrate the Ministry. It is a bit humorous and the most exciting thread of magical moments and quick action.



However, the main criticism of the film is the pacing as it is inconsistent. The first act is quite exciting until the scene in the Ministry of Magic HQ. However, the second act was slow and padded with just emotion but there is a lack of magical awe in there. We are hearing the news of how many wizards are missing and then trying to destroy one Horcrux. The filmmaking is a bit uneven and there are holes in the second half in the story which I wished that they explained as to what the Deathly Hallows are verbally instead of showing us in a cartoon to provoke some thought. And, one big hole is in a rapid chase sequence in a forest and even though it is exciting, I was wondering why could not they just Apparate and escape. It is basically to further the plot to create some needed excitement.

David Yates' movie is not as uneven as the Order of the Phoenix but it's sort of close because there are nice moments between the three and also one random moment between Harry and Hermione which could be debatably silly but sweet. Even though the first hour starts off strong, the movie tilts off more with a lack of dramatic payoff but ends with a sour note. I will say that one death in the end  particular is the most emotional one in the series because of how he addressed Harry as a true friend. This is a good but not a great movie to the franchise.

***



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