Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Synopsis: As Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.
So for starters, let's face it, the Harry Potter movies ceased to be for young kids a long time ago. Never is this more evident than with this latest film. Gone are the whimsical days of a good game of quiddich or a spell cast to make you puke slugs. Now, spells are cast with deadly intentions and the characters are young adults facing live and death decisions. This film is dark and wicked with a lot of evil and death.
I feel as though I watched the 3 young stars grow up, and in a way I have. At least as these 7 movies have gone. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry has improved tremendously since he first appeared on screen way back in the first movie. He's got a range of emotions and is very believable and likable. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley finally gets an opportunity to show some personality beyond being perplexed or whining and does his best work. And Emma Watson as Hermione Granger seems to me to be the one with the biggest future on the big screen past this franchise.
Again, what's missing here is a lot of fun. There's no trip to Hogwart's. No fun magic classes. No time spent in the great hall. And I've always loved all the magical creatures like hippogriffs, dragons, giant spiders and car-smashing trees, but there's not much of that here. There's are a lot of words however as it's very plot heavy. This is the political world of Harry Potter. Yes there are still some action sequences and the awesome Dobby the house elf makes an appearance, but things are just scarier and more serious.
In summary, if you've followed the films (I've watched the first 6 in the last week) then it'll all make sense and as movies go it's very well done and entertaining. But if you're new to the franchise most of it will mean little and on it's own it's not a real fun, cheery movie by any means.
8/10
