Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I: An Extensive Review

When I post this, I will have seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I three times within the span of about 40 hours. I think that's a record. 
(I'm not posting it just yet because I want to write up my review before I see it for a third time and then add anything that I might have forgotten. Smart, huh?)

HERE BE SPOILERS. YE HATH BEEN FOREWARNED. 

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Are all of the people who haven't seen the movie yet gone? Okay, good.

Virgil's Very Extensive Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I

Overall, 
it was truly magical! Even though I saw it over and over again within a short amount of time, I didn't get bored with it at all. That is the mark of a truly good film, I think. Props to Warner Brothers for doing such a good job on this one - I was not disappointed with it at all, and now I'm even more excited for Part II, which I'm sure is going to be even better! 

The adaption of the book
was probably the aspect that I was most impressed with. Sure, they changed a few things for the sake of the movie, but in general it followed the book precisely. I am so glad that they kept as close to the book as possible, because especially after the disaster of Order of the Phoenix & Half-Blood Prince (they left out so many important details!), I was not sure if they would be able to get across enough background information in order for the plot to make sense to the fans who do not read the books (who, might I add, are not true fans). It was too bad that key characters like Mundungus and Bill had to be introduced so unceremoniously, but it was necessary, and we can blame the last couple movies for that necessity. (Half-Blood Prince did not include nearly enough information - they tried way too hard to keep it lighthearted and funny.) The adaption of the book was the best of the seven movies thus far - A++!

The way it was filmed
was very different from Harry Potter movies in the past, so it is difficult to compare them. One huge difference is that the entire plot of Deathly Hallows Part I takes place outside of Hogwarts. While this is meant to take the characters out their comfort zones, I think it also took the audience out of their comfort zones as well. In a couple of scenes, the camera angle was shaky - this was meant to portray insecurity, but it was such a change from what we are used to getting out of a Harry Potter movie. Another interesting thing about the way it was filmed was the style in which the story of the Three Brothers was animated. Some people thought that it was weird, but I quite like the shadow-puppet animation. The portrayal of Death was excellent, and it really felt like a fairy tale. 

The acting
was okay overall. Certain actors were truly outstanding, like Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) and Rupert Grint (Ron), while other characters seemed to act with their necks (*cough*Daniel Radcliffe*cough*) and remind me uncannily of a certain OJCL-er. Daniel Radcliffe... I don't even want to talk about his acting. Of course, Harry is supposed to be a bit of an awkward, nervous character, but honestly, Radcliffe's acting was one of the only less-than-amazing parts about the film. Ralph Fiennes, as always, was a sufficiently scary Voldemort. I also approved of the actor who briefly played Grindelwald (more on him later) and the person they chose for Bill Weasley (<3). Alan Rickman is, as always, my hero. I am praying that they don't cut out his backstory scenes in Part II, because I will be really sad. 

The split
was satisfactory. There's no perfect place to split a literary masterpiece in half, but I think that the ending with Voldemort and the Elder Wand provided a good amount of both closure and cliff-hanger. Dobby's death rounded it off nicely (more on that later) and I'm glad that they changed their minds about splitting it after Ron leaves, because that would have been 1) way too early and 2) not enough closure for the story. Just one this about the split, though: Dumbledore's grave was really weird. Those rolling rectangular prisms (?) were unnecessary, and I wish there would have been a shot of Hogwarts in the background, showing how Dumbledore was buried on the grounds.

The music 
was fantastic. The scores are my favorite aspect of the films, and this new composer Andre Desplat did a wonderful job. I have to admit that I had previously judged him based on his involvement in the Twilight franchise, but he can be forgiven for that. The score he did for the Seven Potters battle scene was unbelieveable - it reminded me of Nicholas Hooper's work for the battle scene in Order of the Phoenix, which was absolutely brilliant. The music for Dobby's death was just perfect, and I also loved what he did for the Godric's Hollow scene in the graveyard. Andre Desplat gets an A++! 

Things they added
were few and far between, since the film stayed so wonderfully close to the book. However, there was one paricular scene that they felt was necessary to add, and I hated it. Harry dances with Hermione in the tent. I mean, really? Come on. It was not even a romantic scene, because obviously they are not romantically involved - it was just another opportunity for Daniel Radcliffe to look exceptionally awkward. I guess it lightened up the mood a little, but it could have been done a lot better and without awkward dancing. One addition that I did like was at the beginning, when Ginny asks Harry to zip up her dress. That was awkward too, but in a delightful sort of way. When George walked in on their kiss - the Weasley Wink was just priceless. The scene with Hermione wiping her parent's memory's, which was not directly written in the book but it was mentioned, was very emotional and a great way to start the movie. I'm glad they added that.

Things they left out
were also few and far between, but I will complain about them anyways. The most important parts that were left out were, of course, the Dumbledore family backstory & Grindelwald. The Elder Wand was explained thoroughly enough, but Dumbledore's backstory involving the Deathly Hallows and Ariana was completely glossed over. Perhaps they will make a point to include this in Part II, but I'm not sure. Another thing they left out, which was not necessary, I suppose, but very touching: Luna's bedroom. What happened to the portraits of the DA and the encircling words, "Friends, friends, friends, friends, friends"? It would have been a lighthearted way to take a break from the intensity - maybe that scene could have replaced the Harry/Hermione dancing scene. Also, I have a couple of complaints about the cellar scene - 1) Why didn't Harry talk to Ollivander at all? Ollivander is so important, and he was hardly acknowledged! 2) The thing with Wormtail owing Harry his life was a very meaningful part in the books - why did the leave it out? (Although I liked how Dobby was all gangster-like and shot Wormtail down from the top of the stairs and took his wand - nicely done.) Another thing - and this is quite small, but I think it's important - the plaque and the encouraging graffiti on the Potters' house was mysteriously absent. This makes me sad.
Also, the Invisibility Cloak was mysteriously absent for the entire movie. Were'd it go?
Oh, and I wanted to see Harry watch Ginny's footprints on the Marauders map. That was such a cute part in the book. Even though they have no chemistry whatsoever, it would be nice to have some sort of indicator that he was thinking about her. They also left out the details of Sirius' room - the Gryffindor paraphernalia, the photographs of the Marauders, the pictures of Muggle women in bikinis - it would have been a nice reminiscing moment, but it ended before it even began. Dudley's thank-you scene was not included, but that's really okay because I never liked that part much.
Potterwatch was also absent. They had a radio, but Fred and George and Lee were not there. 


This wasn't exactly in the book, but I also wish they would have had a quick flashback scene of Kreacher and Regulus in the cave.

The deaths of various characters:
Dobby's death was, as I said before, simply perfect. (They probably should have explained what Shell Cottage was, but I'll let that slide because it will be explained in Part II). The music, the acting, the way Dobby's last words rang so true - I just loved it. Dobby was spectacular in the Malfoy Manor scene, unscrewing the chandelier and standing up to Bellatrix. The only complaint that I have about Dobby's death is the absence of his gravestone - what happened to "Here lies Dobby, a free elf"? I won't say too much about it, because I can't be sure that they won't include it in Part II. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Part II began with a shot of Dobby's grave.
Hedwig's death was not given nearly enough pomp and circumstance. It happened so quickly - just a flash of green light and she was gone, and if you had blinked then you would have missed it. I feel like Harry should have at least cried out, "Hedwig!" or reflected about her later on or something. She was just forgotten - a noble owl like her deserves some proper honoring! 
Mad-Eye Moody's death was also a little glossed over. Sure, they mention it, but I liked how in the book they all drink a toast to Mad-Eye. Also, his eye at the front of Umbridge's office was glossed over - you could see it there, but Harry didn't steal it and bury it. What an insult to Mad-Eye's memory. 

Parts that I enjoyed the most
well, basically all of it. There were certain parts that just made me so happy to be a Harry Potter geek. Dobby's scene in Malfoy Manor was one of those parts - Dobby has no master! Dobby is a free elf! - it was fantastic. I love Dobby so much. Another part that I loved was the beginning of the Seven Potters scene - light before the darkness in such a perfect way. Fred and George: "We're identical!" and Radcliffe (as Fleur) in a bra were some of the highlights. Harry at the Ministry was really funny - I like the way they did the Dungbombs. The graveyard scene in Godric's Hollow was very touching, and I liked the way Hermione made the wreath of flowers. "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians:15-26, just in case any of you were wondering if Harry Potter is, in actual fact, the Bible, which it is). You can see that quote on the gravestone, even though Harry doesn't point it out. I loved the scene when Hermione was teaching Ron the piano - they, unlike Harry and Ginny, have good chemistry. It was cute the way he looked at her.

The decline of Ron
was very well done. The way he slowly gets more and more jealous is very well-portrayed: a testament to Rupert Grint's acting, of course. He actually acts with his face, unlike Daniel Radcliffe, who acts with his neck. While I'm on the topic of Ron - that Horcrux was a doozy! I didn't expect it to be so huge, and that Harry/Hermione naked makeout session... chills. It was just so wrong. Speaking of which...
  
The ultimate question: why can't Daniel Radcliffe keep his pants on?
I know that it was the screenwriters' choice and not his, but honestly - *points to heading* why? Does it have to do with his experience in Equus? First there's the Seven Potters, when there are seven Daniel Radcliffes all stripping at once. Then there's the doe scene, when he strips to jump in the lake with the Horcrux STILL AROUND HIS NECK (what a stupid idea). Then there's the Horcrux-produced makeout session. It can't be for the ladies, because quite frankly, Daniel Radcliffe is quite unattractive and skinny and pastey. It's not like he's showing off his abs.

Mischief managed,
Virgil