Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One

Death-Eaters Strike Back

Now I must say that before I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, I really didn't think the franchise had any artistic merit and that they were just quickly made adaptations of the books just to score money off the movie-going public. And whilst the second half may still be the case, I think I'm changing my mind on the 'artistic merit' side of things.

For those few people who haven't been caught up in the phenomenon that is Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows: Part One is the penultimate installment of the franchise, where the titular Potter along with his friends Ron and Hermione, drop out of Hogwarts school and set out across the country trying to find 'Horcruxes' (mementos storing parts of the Big Bad Voldemort's soul) and destroying them, and therefore the Big Bad himself. Since the sixth film, Voldemort has risen to be in control of The Ministry of Magic, and is starting to turn the country into a sort-of Nazi state, indoctrinating children about the dangers of 'cross-breeding'.

I know, I know, it sounds like your ordinary kids' film, but I think the dark way that the books and films have gone have only given more weight to the story. It's given the director (David Yates) and the three main stars (Radcliffe, Grint and Watson) something to finally work with and sink their teeth into. Speaking of the three leads, this film rests on them more than ever before. Thankfully, I feel that this film is their best example of how far they've progressed. They have constantly been criticised for the lack of range, but with most of the film's time being dedicated to the three being in a tent travelling the country, they are allowed to show how they can handle drama, horror, romance and comedy all in the second act of the film.

However, with the heroes deciding to leave Hogwarts and carry on without help, it also means that there is little screen-time for Potter regulars, such as Alan Rickman's wonderful portrayal of Snape, reducing their input to being first act cameos, surely to be enhanced in the second part of the finale. With the focus being shone on the three leads, the other storylines such as the fate of Mad-Eye Moody, are skipped over or briefly mentioned and never returned to, which made it seem rushed, although these could be touched on in the second installment.

Overall, I believe that this installment is the equivalent of The Empire Strikes Back in the Star Wars saga. The heroes are trying to outwit and outrun the all-powerful dark forces at work, and with help of friends as well as their own development and growth, they set up the pieces for a hopefully fantastic final chapter.

It is by far the best film of the franchise so far. It is dark, broody, emotional and filled with great action, special effects, and above all else: acting. It only annoys you that you have to wait until next Summer to find out how it will end.

Rating - 7/10