In Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

For many including myself, 12:01 A.M. on the 19th of November was a day that had marked on the calendar for months. Yes, Harry, Ron, Hermoine, and company are back for the first part of the last of the Potter films.

I am pleased to say this is the best Potter film yet, and that is saying something since this franchise has been great all the way through (even "Order of the Phoenix," which gets better with repeat viewings). If you're a fan of the books and the movies you won't be disappointed. However, this film actually makes it easy to follow if you are new to the series. Director Yates seems to have taken criticisms to heart, particularly the ones he received for "Order of the Phoenix." He has clearly learned from his mistakes as this "Half-Blood Prince" and "Deathly Hallows Part 1" is better paced and more coherent. But what about the story?

Well, what must be said first is that this is also the darkest of all the films. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine are no longer at Hogwarts. It's just not safe anymore. Instead, they are off in the woods looking for horcruxes: items that Lord Voldemort put parts of his soul into so he would live forever. In order to defeat Voldemort they must not only find the horcruxes, but destroy them.

Most of the screen time belongs to Harry, Ron, and Hermoine. There is a brief scene at the beginning where we see that Voldemort and the death eaters have taken over the ministry of magic. There is also lots of social and political commentary, including the creation by the corrupt ministry of a mudblood registration system (for newbies, mudblood is a foul name for muggle-borns).

There is plenty of action to be sure; you will not be bored. But this chapter of the Potter saga is very actor and character driven. It's hard to believe these movies have been coming out for nine years. If Harry, Ron, and Hermoine hadn't been cast perfectly none of this would work. But luckily they got it right, as evidenced but how these young actors have grown up before our eyes. The scene where Hermoine has to erase her parents' memories of her is heartbreaking and much of the reason for that is because Emma Watson can convey so much with just facial expression and body language.

Fair warning: bring Kleenex! Major characters do meet their ends in very emotional scenes. And the ending will make you begging for it to be July already so we can see the epic conclusion. Bottom line: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 more than lives up to the hype and is (to borrow a cliche) magical. Dark and somber, but still magical. See it!