Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - Discuss and Grade

[Elzie]

I feel kind of silly coming here, because I'm not really good in reviewing anything, I just like something or then not.

As a HP fan since the first book I was really excited to go and see this. Sadly there were some...other people not so into Harry Potter series in the theater as well, but oh well...

I liked it. Very much. Actually, I'd say the DH1 is by far the best movie made. It was so much darker, yet the darkness worked so well in this. Seriously, that old woman in Godric's Hollow, Bagshot, creeped me out big time.

So yes, there were some changes what came to the plot - like the real Harry being recognized because of Hedwig, when the reason in the book was that he only used Expelliarmus instead of any other spells - but when it comes down to the movies I've never been to tight about such things, after all the movie versions are always different than the book for the obvious reason that they are not the books.

I was gladly surprised that the movie, although dark-toned, was still so happy and funny at times. I LOVE DOBBY! I found him so sweet, and he's death was touching, although far from the book's.
The Seven Potters scene was pretty funny, and made me pretty glad of all the things you can do in a movie on the 21st century.

This could be just my crazy mind, but I couldn't believe how great the actors were in this one. Somehow I just felt like Daniel Radcliffe was shining at times! And Rupert Grint was pretty good at being jelaous.

Really, Harry and Hermione's dance was probably my favourite moment! It was somehow so beautiful, and it was sweet to think that with all the crazy stuff going on they can still be two friends having fun. Made me smile, actually.

I liked the music as well, although it's not really something you can hum along with. I found it somehow fitting that now that things are different, they're not in Hogwarts anymore, the melodies are also quite different from the previous ones.

The ministry of magic part was great. So cool, that they could just take these random people and keep the movie going. I mean, yes, it was the main three heroes there, but in a dusguise, that might confuse a bit.

Voldemort and the bad guys also reminded me somehow of Nazis. You know, how in the beginning they were laughing at that Muggle Studies teacher who "foolishly wanted the wizards to mix their blood with muggles" and that statue in the Ministry, and how they kept checking who's pureblood and who's not.

But as much as I loved the movie, I think Part 2 - which we have to wait for all the way until summer - will be better with bigger explosions and more emotional moments (like the Forest Again...).

 

[JD]

I'll admit I was always kind baffled by the Harry/Ginny relationship in the books, it really did just kind of come out of nowhere. Ron and Hermione were build up pretty much the whole series, but Harry and Ginny never really seemed that close until she decided to get them together. I it almost seems like she suddenly decided that Harry needed a girlfriend and since Ginny was the really the only other female character close to his age he that really came across as more than just another classmate. I don't think I necessarily disliked the relationship (it's been ages since I read the books so I don't remember exactly how I felt) but it just kinda came out of nowhere in the last couple books. I guess I just wish Rowling had spent as much time building them up as she had Ron and Hermione.

 

[C_Miller]

Okay, because it's almost Thanksgiving break and I'm coasting into it, I've been doing some thinking. I first read the books when I was right between ten and eleven and I finished when I was eighteen. So, in essence I grew up with these characters and these stories defined my coming of age. One thing that J.K. Rowling did a brilliant job at was making Harry an everyman (which is quite remarkable, seeing as he's the chosen one with a very distinct backstory) and I personally was able to read the stories and become Harry. So when I say I would have liked to see Harry end up with Hermione, I guess I'm really saying I would have wanted to end up with Hermione if I were Harry. Their relationship is what I'm really looking for in a relationship and some marriages are very much like that, where it's based more on companionship and mutual support than sex, where the two people are entirely in-sync and are almost like brother and sister by the end of it. Sex plays a part, but the companionship reins supreme.

So seeing myself as Harry and that being what I look for in a relationship, Hermione would be my pursuit. That's why I don't consider myself a shipper. Shipper implies detachment and bad fanfiction, where as Harry Potter is as much a part of my life as anything, because it came to me when it did.

Edit: But as it stands, I approve of Ron and Hermione more than Harry and Ginny. That whole thing just seems like they're trophies for each other. Ginny is the perfect trophy wife (she's beautiful, apparently experienced and she has that big family that Harry always wanted) and Harry is the husband that Ginny can boast about having at book club (I mean, he is the chosen one).

 

[marillion]

I found the movie to be fantastic on almost every level. I was concernced the forest scenes would drag on too long and they almost did, but I really didn't have a problem with the pacing.

As for all the discussion about the "couples"... Let's not forget that these books weren't about who ended up with whom.. All the romantic relationships that develop REALLY take place after the DH ends.. Who knows what led them to marry each other.

I've NEVER seen the potential for a Harry/Hermione romance.. In the films and the books, they've seemed to be brother/sister more than anything. They have a really close bond that is deeper than romantic. Ron and Hermione end up together because of the flirting/bickering.. That has always been Ron's defense mechanism against expressing his true feelings for her. As for Ginny and Harry.. I like their basic chemestry.. You can tell that Ginny has always felt that she and Harry would be together, but Harry has been so busy saving the world, he's never really had much time to think about it beyond typical teen crushes and flirtations.

Overall, this was a perfect set up for the end and the next few months will be long indeed.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I'll admit I was always kind baffled by the Harry/Ginny relationship in the books, it really did just kind of come out of nowhere. Ron and Hermione were build up pretty much the whole series, but Harry and Ginny never really seemed that close until she decided to get them together. I it almost seems like she suddenly decided that Harry needed a girlfriend and since Ginny was the really the only other female character close to his age he that really came across as more than just another classmate. I don't think I necessarily disliked the relationship (it's been ages since I read the books so I don't remember exactly how I felt) but it just kinda came out of nowhere in the last couple books. I guess I just wish Rowling had spent as much time building them up as she had Ron and Hermione.

Well said. I forgot to add in my last post that Rowling never really explored the possibility of a Harry/Hermione romance, did she? It was always about Hermione and Ron. If anything, Harry saw Hermione as a really close female friend, almost like a sister, whom he never developed any kind of attraction to or romantic interest in!

Posted by C_Miller:

Edit: But as it stands, I approve of Ron and Hermione more than Harry and Ginny. That whole thing just seems like they're trophies for each other. Ginny is the perfect trophy wife (she's beautiful, apparently experienced and she has that big family that Harry always wanted) and Harry is the husband that Ginny can boast about having at book club (I mean, he is the chosen one).

Agreed. In the end, Harry is happy with the life he has with Ginny, and Ron and Hermione are just as blissful to have each other.

Posted by marillion:

I've NEVER seen the potential for a Harry/Hermione romance.. In the films and the books, they've seemed to be brother/sister more than anything. They have a really close bond that is deeper than romantic. Ron and Hermione end up together because of the flirting/bickering.. That has always been Ron's defense mechanism against expressing his true feelings for her. As for Ginny and Harry.. I like their basic chemestry.. You can tell that Ginny has always felt that she and Harry would be together, but Harry has been so busy saving the world, he's never really had much time to think about it beyond typical teen crushes and flirtations.

I think Ron and Hermione end up together in spite of the bickering and fighting. Rupert and Emma don't have much chemistry on the big screen, but the way Rowling wrote it, Ron and Hermione have always been bound to be together.

 

[cultcross]

I think Ron and Hermione end up together in spite of the bickering and fighting. Rupert and Emma don't have much chemistry on the big screen, but the way Rowling wrote it, Ron and Hermione have always been bound to be together.

That was my take. To me reading the books, Ron/Hermione is the obvious pairing. BookHarry is more removed from his friends than FilmHarry, Ron and Hermione are much more a 'pair' to Harry's 'lone wolf' than in the films when it's usually Ron who is in the background and Harry and Hermione centre stage.
Equally, I think BookGinny is a more obvious and subtly done pairing for Harry - in the films, she's a good choice in Film 5, but turns into a bit of a sap in films 6 and 7 who is only there to make doe eyes at Harry.
Plus, as others have said, Daniel and Emma have a chemistry BookHarry and BookHermione never had. The romantic ending that Rowling wrote made sense for the characters she wrote. For the characters on film, Harry/Hermione arguably makes more sense.

 

[Xavier_Storma]

Question: Will a DVD/Blu-ray be released with Part 1 and Part 2 compiled simply as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (no bloody part 1 or part 2?)

You can bet it will... but not before they ask their fans to pay for part 1 and part 2 seperately!!!
That's how milking a franchise to death works these days.

 

[Neroon]

Was not expecting to see a fully naked Harry and fully naked Hermoine making out

See, was that scene ever in the book?

My impression was that it was fanservice, much like Harry's bath scene in Goblet of Fire to titillate the young girls in the audience. I still recall the screams of excitement. In this movie, that might have worked for the older viewers as well. I could hear giggling when Harry dressed down to his undies. Radcliffe did say in an interview he's comfortable enough with his own body.

It was kind of in the book. It was a lot subtler and more seductive. However, I don't think that it would have been as effective if it had more subtlety. Putting myself in Ron's shoes, the movie version would have enraged me much more than the implication that my best friend and the girl I'm in love with are together.

The nudity is not specified in the book, but if memory serves you can interpret the passage as alluding to it somewhat. Doesn't the book say somethign to the effect that the images of Harry and Hermione were engaged in some kind of "lewdness"? I put that in quotes because I can't recall the term(s) used.

As to the relationships discussed, I enjoy both of them just as they are, though I am not a "shipper". To me Harry and Ginny ending up in a relationship is logical, or as logical as romance can be, because of the amount of time they spend in proximity with each other. Harry spent an awful lot of time with the Weaselys, where a growing Ginny hears of Harry's exploits and sees him in person perform some of those. And don't' forget Harry even saves her life literally.

Harry / Hermione as close friends appeals to me, because I am a proponent of the guy and girl being able to work and achieve and adventure together without the seemingly requisite animal instincts taking over, of romance developing. Going by the film version of HBP, even Dumbledore mistakes this himself.

Hermione / Ron is a bit harder for me to accept, but I like the humor of something developing between them... without Ron realizing it for the longest of times. And again to me it underscores Hermione's ability to see things in people that others have difficulty seeing.

now as for chemistry between Watson and Radcliffe ...... apparently Radcliffe says that "Emma kisses like an animal. Please be kind and careful with that story.

 

[Ayelbourne]

Yes, I do recall it's in the book. I agree the stylistic choice was excellent.

Does this make Slytherin's locket the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

And if so...does this make Voldemort the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

 

[Gryffindorian]

Posted by Neroon:

now as for chemistry between Watson and Radcliffe ...... apparently Radcliffe says that "Emma kisses like an animal. Please be kind and careful with that story.

Good article. It's interesting how the actors had different reactions to that specific scene (Radcliffe almost being taken aback, Watson feeling awkward, Grint laughing). I guess I'll have to watch it again to see if I missed anything the first time.

 

[Thestral]

It's times like these when I wonder, "Dammit, can't the movies take some more natural creative liberties?!" Daniel & Emma just fit so beautifully together that it simply makes Rowling's ending wrong! C'mon! If Watchmen can change the ending, so can you!

Can you imagine the glorious carnage on the Internet if the films did that? Personally I'd love the choice because the chemistry of Watson and Radcliffe has always been there (and I've not even seen Deathly Hallows 1 yet), and the legions of enraged fans would be fantastic.

 

[DarthPipes]

Yes, I do recall it's in the book. I agree the stylistic choice was excellent.

Does this make Slytherin's locket the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

And if so...does this make Voldemort the ultimate Harry/Hermione shipper?

So Voldy was capable of love after all?

That being said, I will constantly defend the dance. I generally hate Harry in the books. He has tunnel vision and really only cares about himself and/or the mission. Ron and Hermione are constantly sacrificing for him, yet we never see little things like him getting Ron and Hermione gifts for birthday and christmas. Even the small scene of comfort like after she saw Ron and Lavender, which wasn't in the book. And the hug, when he saw Ron and Hermione are okay.

Book Harry was always quick to defend both Ron and Hermione publicly and privately. And he did help out Ron when Ron was have confidence problems over Quidditch and "solved" that problem. One thing that always disappointed me in the books was that we never get Harry's opinion on the Ron/Hermione relationship. Is he happy for his friends? He gets on them both in Book Seven because there'a war going on, which was kind of funny.

About the relationships, I would point out with the exception of a handful of chapters, the books are told entirely from Harry's POV. So all the times we see Ron and Hermione together in the books is when they are with Harry. There's more freedom in the movies but still, the bulk of the film scenes are from Harry's POV.

I favored Harry and Hermione early on. But I knew they weren't going to be together and eventually I began to like Ron and Hermione as a couple a lot more. Harry and Hermione do have a brother/sister vibe (the way they go about the mission is similar too. Look at the scene regarding the Sword of Gryyfindor). But I definitely could have bought them as a couple too.

I thought the build-up to Harry and Ginny's kiss, from Harry's POV of course, was very good. But once they kissed, Rowling decided not to develop the relationship at all. She goes tell and don't show in regards to their relationship. I was kind of hoping to see how Harry would react to being in a relationship with someone he truly loved but as I said earlier, I sometimes think it would have caused Rowling physical pain to show Harry being happy for more than two pages. She loved making him suffer. Maybe that's just a British thing. The very, very, very few scenes we got between Harry and Ginny were good though. I'm not a shipper but I would have loved to have read the relationship dynamic between Ron and Hermione after their kiss.

If Kloves does anything right (and he does little) it's that he does the little character moments well. Harry, Ron, Neville, Seamus, and Dean togehter in POA, Lupin remembering Lily, Slughorn remembering Lily, the Harry/Herimone dance scene, Ron and Hermione playing the piano, etc.

 

[DarthPipes]

I joked with a friend that they should have gotten really obscene with the Horcrux Harry and Hermione.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I joked with a friend that they should have gotten really obscene with the Horcrux Harry and Hermione.

Good lord. Haven't people read enough slash fanfic?

 

[Gaith]

I always thought that Ron and Hermione were destined for each other, but I thought that Harry should have ended up with Luna.

Particularly given that great scene at the end of Film 5 (one of the few good things to that train wreck) in which Harry offers to help look for her shoes, and she turns him down. What other girl would push him away like that?!

 

[DarthPipes]

Harry and Luna would have been a fun couple. I totally could have bought that.

I do like the part in book seven where Harry thinks to himself that he has to tell Ron and Hermione that Luna's okay because it would be unbearable to think otherwise. I always like how the gang eventually really came to care about her.

I wasn't thinking slash with the horcrux scene. Just Harry bending Hermione over with Ron looking.

"Bloody hell!"

 

[Ayelbourne]

• - the locket takes on an almost Ring-liek personality. Culminating in a horribly effective illusion of phantom Harry & Hermione engaging in some seemingly unclothed impropriety. At least as far as Ron is concerned.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. Right down to the sound effects (such as the high-pitch screech) and the whispering.

I'm fine with the similarities. Afterall, The One Ring was a Horcrux too, technically speaking.
Sauron just wasn't smart enough to make seven of them.

 

[Shazam!]

All Ginny really has to offer is her interest in him - which could be fun to watch, but the all-important Very Serious Tone requires that any sexual spark be downplayed.

I dunno. I kind of think that Harry was just going along with it with Ginny because he couldn't be bothered dealing with anything else.

I imagine that they didn't get together properly until their mid-20s, possibly after time apart.

 

[CaptainCanada]

One thing that always disappointed me in the books was that we never get Harry's opinion on the Ron/Hermione relationship. Is he happy for his friends? He gets on them both in Book Seven because there'a war going on, which was kind of funny.

In Book Six, he seemed to like the idea, albeit with the big concern that if it didn't work out it would blow up their whole friendship (as, indeed, it nearly did).

 

[Greylock Crescent]

So how about the cinematography or the score? I loved the way the film looked, the framing and post-production work created visuals that effectively conveyed the bleak, oppressive narrative. Desplat's score, while not especially remarkable, was nonetheless effective in the film. And as a CD soundtrack is actually quite enjoyable to listen to.