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

[Greylock Crescent]

Well, it is a lot of setup. But if you look at this film as a character piece, and an exercise in establishing a mood and then relentlessly deepening it, there's quite a bit to enjoy. But you have to sympathize with the trio. If not, then I can see the film becoming a chore. Fortunately, though, I think the trio is engaging enough -- they really have matured.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

He wasn't at the wedding in the film, but I can't recall if he was there in the book.

He wasn't, as I recall, not really knowing either the bride or groom (the Lovegoods were there because they lived nearby, I believe).

Thanks for clearing that up and reading my mind (in regards to why the Lovegoods were there).

One other nobody else mentioned that I thought worked really well was the almost Nazi-ish vibe they gave the ministry under the Death Eaters. Especially the WWII style anti-Muggle propaganda, I that was especially effective.

I also found the use of WWII-style propaganda to be very effective, one of those rare embellishments not from the original source that improves the story.

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?)

I was wondering about this myself just before the movie started and I think if WB had any business sense, they will merge the two...but only after the two have been released individually.

If not, someone online will.

Does a Blu-ray disc or DVD for that matter have enough space on one disc for 2.5+2.5 hours?

Damn, I didn't even think of that. The transfer for a 5+ hour film probably wouldn't be very good but I don't much about that. But as I said, I'm sure someone will do it online.

 

[C_Miller]

So, I too didn't like the book. Personally, when it comes to a series wrapping up, I like it to be a summation of the work as a whole. Lost, TNG, Lord of the Rings, DS9, Serenity are all perfect examples of this. In my eyes, Harry Potter didn't end that way. It was extremely sad that the biggest part about my childhood didn't have the end I felt it deserved. Yes, the story ended, but none of the fantastic characters got the proper send off.

Anyways, I loved this movie. It got a lot of character stuff in that I missed in the books that I think in the long run, I'll be pleased with it when it comes to a close. The acting was there, the direction was FANTASTIC. David Yates really came into his own in this one and because of it, this movie felt big. The book felt incredibly small, when it shouldn't have, yet the movie felt huge, like there was more going on in the world than just what was occurring directly on the screen that's always a plus.

And for the first time in the film series, I felt like the Death Eaters were truly evil and they frightened me. Helena Bonham Carter pulled off her best performance as Bellatrix, making her seem completely unhinged and evil. Jason Isaacs did his best with a limited role and expertly portrayed a man who only was doing what he was doing because he feared for himself. And Ralph Fiennes was magnificent as Voldemort. He's the villain that never appeared in the book. In the book Voldemort was a hegemonic metaphor for the darkest dark you can imagine, yet here he shines as an actual character and one that you fear.

The kids have really come a long way since the first movie. Emma Watson couldn't act a lick, Daniel Radcliffe was entirely unremarkable, and Rupert Grint was okay at best. But in many ways, they sold the film. What's better is I believed them. Emma was Hermione, Rupert was Ron, and Daniel was Harry and there was no questioning that. I believed that they really were on the run and all of the emotions that they felt, were fantastically portrayed on the screen. Emma, especially. Maybe it was the writing of the last film, but her portrayal of a lovesick Hermione sucked, but here she was brilliant.

Yes, it's unfortunate that the film was mostly set up, but I feel like it was a good set up. I was a bit worried when I found out that they were splitting the thing into two because I didn't think anything happened in the first half. But here, they sprinkled in nice little character parts, like Hermione and Ron playing piano, Harry and Hermione dancing, Ron and Harry talking after he came back, Hermione stealing her parent's memory (another scene Emma really sold). How much of that quiet stuff would have been gone if they had only made one movie? All of it and quite possibly a lot of "important stuff" too.

Oh, one thing I noticed was I know how the book ends. Harry gets together with Ginny and Ron gets together with Hermione. However, even now that this is the penultimate chapter, I can't see it. Emma and Rupert sold the possibility a lot better than Daniel and Bonnie (there is nothing between those two). But, I have to say, that if I was only going off the movies, I'd think that it was going to end with Harry and Hermione getting together. Their chemistry is perfect. You can't contrive that type of chemistry. Little things like Hermione resting her head on Harry's shoulder at the grave, the awkwardness, yet joy and comfort in the dance, the little kiss that she gave Harry when they met up at the Dursley's. Now that was all probably scripted, but the two of them completely sold it. I'm not a "shipper" but if it were just the movies, I would certainly believe their relationship above the ones that are going to actually happen.

Anywho, fantastic first half that set up the final chapter in away that makes me want to plop down another ten bucks and see it right now to see Part 2. The ending is one of those expert cliffhangers in a story that really didn't have a natural break. Show the entire crew at their worst. Our heroes lost a friend, they lost the sword with no hope of finding the rest of the Horcruxes and now Voldemort has the one tool he needs to kill Harry. Leave them at their worst so they can build up in the next one.

 

[Procutus]

I have to totally give a shoutout to Rupert Grint. He was far and away the best actor in the movie. Kloves FINALLY decided to write Ron correctly and Grint thrives. Funny, brave, a bit of a jerk...it's the Ron Weasley experience that has often been missing from the movies. Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson do good work too and the trio deserves credit for carrying the movie even more than they do in the past. But Grint I thought outshined them both.

What Pipes said. Basically, the three leads really do carry this movie, but I have to agree that Grint really stands out. One the things I've really enjoyed about the films is the way we've actually seen these three characters grow and mature and become so believable that I've ceased seeing them as kid actors playing a part, but see them as Harry, Ron and Hermione. All three have good chemistry with one another.

I'll probably add more when I've had a chance to see it again. Again, there was a lot to like but the changes and omissions drove me nuts.

The funny thing is, I found that I didn't recall as much about the book as I thought I did. Along the way, bits and pieces would jog my memory and I'd find myself thinking 'Oh yeah, this comes next'. But overall, I think that added to my overall enjoyment of the film.

I'll probably post more later on as I think of other areas in particular to comment on. I gave it and 'Excellent' because this was far and away the best of the small handful of movies we've seen in theater this year.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I loved it and gave it "Above Average" because my all-time favorite HP film thus far is Prisoner of Azkaban for its richness of the overall story and execution. A scale of 1 to 5 simply won't do it for me. On my Facebook page, I gave it an "A" rating (as opposed to A+), or on a scale of 1 to 10, I'll say it's 8 or 9.

This is by far the darkest of all the movies. It has its slow and fast-paced moments, but it's not quite filled with teenage angst and drama like the last two films. I echo others' sentiments in saying that Emma Watson really shines in her role; so do Radcliffe and Grint.

The movie focuses more on the three major characters, with very little reference to the rest of the magical world. Since I haven't read the book yet, I can't comment on how accurate it is compared to the original material. I think they should've introduced the other Weasley brothers (Charlie and Bill) in earlier installments of the film. They made it appear so that Bill and Harry just met each other the night Harry was to leave his home on Privet Drive (we know that's not the case). I mean, Harry has known the Weasleys for many good years; you'd think he would've seen Bill (and Charlie) on many occasions.

Overall, it was a very good movie!

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Bill and Charlie appeared several times over the course of the books but I guess there was just never any room for them in the movies. *shrug*

 

[DarthPipes]

What Pipes said. Basically, the three leads really do carry this movie, but I have to agree that Grint really stands out. One the things I've really enjoyed about the films is the way we've actually seen these three characters grow and mature and become so believable that I've ceased seeing them as kid actors playing a part, but see them as Harry, Ron and Hermione. All three have good chemistry with one another.

I know what you mean, Proc. When I see pictures of them as a premeire, I think it's Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Isn't it cool that they hang out with each other...that's what I admit I think.

The blu-rays (I can't remember which one) has the screentest with them when they were like eight. A lot has changed.

As a nonshipper as well, I do have to agree with C Miller's point about Harry and Hermione. The two have amazing chemistry together and could be very believeable as a couple.

 

[DigificWriter]

I voted Excellent. Here's my full, in-depth review:
Just got back, and this is by far the best adaptation we've gotten thus far, and the best of the films that David Yates has directed; it's also Steve Kloves' best script adaptation BY FAR; the man is back to the form he had when he adapted Prisoner of Azkaban (he was pretty much spot-on with the script for HBP as well, but his script for DH P1 is even leaps and bounds above that script).

Scenes where Kloves' and Yates' understanding of just how to adapt the source material really shines through are Hermione obliviating her parents' memories (it might not be actually shown in the book, but the scene that Kloves wrote and Yates shot is perfectly in keeping and tone with the story as JKR wrote and conceived it), the Death Eater meeting, the lead-up to and aftermath of Ron's departure (particularly the dancing scene, which conveys the depth of Harry and Hermione's relationship - and the deep chemistry that Dan and Emma have with each other as actors - in a way that words never could), the Horcrux!Harry/Hermione scene (it was an absolutely brilliant decision to shoot the scene with Dan and Emma either entirely or partially nude, even though it wouldn't be shown that way, because it really helps convey the images of that particular scene sequence as JKR described them in the book), the 'Tale of the Three Brothers' (depicting it via parchment/shadow puppet animation was an absolutely brilliant stylistic decision), and the scene where Bellatrix is torturing Hermione.

Even though it's doubtful that it'll actually happen, this film - of any in the series - is definitely worthy of some 'mainstream' recognition from the Academy Awards, in particular in the categories of Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and the acting categories (especially for Emma Watson, who simply shines).

 

[MNM]

Oh, one thing I noticed was I know how the book ends. Harry gets together with Ginny and Ron gets together with Hermione. However, even now that this is the penultimate chapter, I can't see it. Emma and Rupert sold the possibility a lot better than Daniel and Bonnie (there is nothing between those two). But, I have to say, that if I was only going off the movies, I'd think that it was going to end with Harry and Hermione getting together. Their chemistry is perfect. You can't contrive that type of chemistry. Little things like Hermione resting her head on Harry's shoulder at the grave, the awkwardness, yet joy and comfort in the dance, the little kiss that she gave Harry when they met up at the Dursley's. Now that was all probably scripted, but the two of them completely sold it. I'm not a "shipper" but if it were just the movies, I would certainly believe their relationship above the ones that are going to actually happen.

The problem they have, and it's not really their fault as they cast them so young, is that despite the endings being Ron/Hermione, and Harry and Ginny, the girl playing Hermione and the guy playing Ron only have a bit of chemistry together, and the girl playing Ginny has zero chemistry with the guy playing Harry, and yet the actors playing Harry and Hermione have so much chemistry together it is unmistakeable.

Now what is their fault is that they compound this problem by a few more things. One, there is a lot of stuff between Harry and Hermione in the books that when it gets translated to film, coupled with the chemistry of the two actors, portrays them as the potential couple, much more than the brief moments between Ron and Hermione for example (especially due to the noticable difference in chemistry between those two couples). Two is the fact that in every film, the people writing them write little moments and interactions between Harry and Hermione that werent in the book to begin with, which just adds to the overal image. And thirdly is that so much publicity material for the films always involves Harry and Hermione together.

Now I like Harry and Hermione together, I could argue long and hard that this should have happened in the books (and have done in many threads on many forums), so I dont mind any of this and like it, but if you are not a H/H shipper I can appreciate you might not like it as much, especially if you feel the couple you did like is put on the back burner to allow Harry and Hermione more screen time.

 

[CaptainCanada]

The movies also really make me like the idea of Harry/Luna because of the actors.

 

[cultcross]

I really enjoyed DH:I. It is definitely a movie about the three leads (the supporting cast are barely in it), and I think that's a good thing. All three have now matured into excellent actors (well, OK Radcliffe's good and the other two are excellent, imho) and this whole thing's meant to have been about them, ultimately. It does them good to have a movie that is essentially just theirs. I love many of the supporting cast of the HP franchise and so I was sorry to miss out, but ultimately I think it was the best decision.

The film had a pace and a solid narrative that was missing from film 6. It told a story, albeit a curtailed one, and narratively moved the characters from point A to point B without getting lost in unconnected threads as earlier films had a tendency to. The character stuff between the big three was part of the story, and weaved in to the narrative so that it never felt like a departure from the core story.

In terms of textual purity, this has got to be the closest to the source book since film 3. Obviously, there are still missing bits, and some changes (some of which I didn't particularly see the reason for, but that doesn't bother me hugely), but generally, the story is intact - if anything, actually, it tightened it up. The subplot of 'was Dumbledore as great as we thought' only received the necessary screentime for the main story and we didn't via off into Harry's obsession with how much he 'meant' to Dumbledore.

Voldemort finally got to do something, and as a result was a much more effective villain than previously. The meeting scene at the beginning was very well done, and Alan Rickman made the most of his very brief appearance to totally steal that scene.

All in all, the person I was most impressed with in this film was Rupert Grint. Comparing what he did here to those ridiculous faces he used to be made to pull in Chamber of Secrets, it doesn't even seem like the same actor. Imho, Watson really noticeably matured as an actor in film 6 - this was Grint's time to shine.

Very nicely done, voted 'excellent' overall, and I'm looking forward to film 8!

 

[C_Miller]

Oh, one thing I noticed was I know how the book ends. Harry gets together with Ginny and Ron gets together with Hermione. However, even now that this is the penultimate chapter, I can't see it. Emma and Rupert sold the possibility a lot better than Daniel and Bonnie (there is nothing between those two). But, I have to say, that if I was only going off the movies, I'd think that it was going to end with Harry and Hermione getting together. Their chemistry is perfect. You can't contrive that type of chemistry. Little things like Hermione resting her head on Harry's shoulder at the grave, the awkwardness, yet joy and comfort in the dance, the little kiss that she gave Harry when they met up at the Dursley's. Now that was all probably scripted, but the two of them completely sold it. I'm not a "shipper" but if it were just the movies, I would certainly believe their relationship above the ones that are going to actually happen.

The problem they have, and it's not really their fault as they cast them so young, is that despite the endings being Ron/Hermione, and Harry and Ginny, the girl playing Hermione and the guy playing Ron only have a bit of chemistry together, and the girl playing Ginny has zero chemistry with the guy playing Harry, and yet the actors playing Harry and Hermione have so much chemistry together it is unmistakeable.

Now what is their fault is that they compound this problem by a few more things. One, there is a lot of stuff between Harry and Hermione in the books that when it gets translated to film, coupled with the chemistry of the two actors, portrays them as the potential couple, much more than the brief moments between Ron and Hermione for example (especially due to the noticable difference in chemistry between those two couples). Two is the fact that in every film, the people writing them write little moments and interactions between Harry and Hermione that werent in the book to begin with, which just adds to the overal image. And thirdly is that so much publicity material for the films always involves Harry and Hermione together.

Now I like Harry and Hermione together, I could argue long and hard that this should have happened in the books (and have done in many threads on many forums), so I dont mind any of this and like it, but if you are not a H/H shipper I can appreciate you might not like it as much, especially if you feel the couple you did like is put on the back burner to allow Harry and Hermione more screen time.

I generally avoid shipping, but if I were a shipper, I most likely would go for Harry and Hermione (or Harry and Luna, I'd say they were perfect together even in the books). But on the other hand, I do know that Ron and Hermione are "supposed" to get together and I fear that it's going to feel forced. But at the same time, I really like all the Harry/Hermione stuff in the movies. They're friends. And I think J.K. Rowling kind of forgot that during the last book. The whole lot of them. It was all focused on Voldemort and the war, yet there weren't little moments of them acting like friends. That's why I loved the dance. Because of Dan and Emma's chemistry, I completely believe that they would do anything for each other, which is what Jo wrote about, but only showed through the high danger, life and death stuff.

Also, Harry and Hermione in the films remind me of a friendship that I had with someone in college (well, still have, but we're no longer in the same area). So, it's nice to see.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Oh, and one of the best added moments:

"You're lying, Dolores."
*Umbridge realizes who it is*
"And one mustn't tell lies."

That's the second time in the movies he's thrown that line back at her, and they were both awesome.

 

[DarthPipes]

Oh, and one of the best added moments:

"You're lying, Dolores."
*Umbridge realizes who it is*
"And one mustn't tell lies."

That's the second time in the movies he's thrown that line back at her, and they were both awesome.

Totally agreed. And the seething rage in in Harry's voice, combined with the transformation, totally sold is.

One note about Harry and Hermione, Hermione's been kissing Harry on the cheek in the books since Goblet of Fire.

If I had one problem with the later books, it's that Rowling loved to make Harry suffer. It's like it would have caused her physical pain to show him being happy for more than two consecutive pages. I understand why Harry is in such a bad mood, he's dealing with an enourmous amount of stress and responsibility. He has people who want to kill him, adults who don't believe him, hide information from him, and/or want something from him. He's suffered a lot of loss in his life. I understand why he got angry with people although I think he took it out a little too much on Ron and especially Hermione. What I like about the films is that it does show Harry happy at times.

 

[C_Miller]

Oh, and one of the best added moments:

"You're lying, Dolores."
*Umbridge realizes who it is*
"And one mustn't tell lies."

That's the second time in the movies he's thrown that line back at her, and they were both awesome.

Totally agreed. And the seething rage in in Harry's voice, combined with the transformation, totally sold is.

One note about Harry and Hermione, Hermione's been kissing Harry on the cheek in the books since Goblet of Fire.

If I had one problem with the later books, it's that Rowling loved to make Harry suffer. It's like it would have caused her physical pain to show him being happy for more than two consecutive pages. I understand why Harry is in such a bad mood, he's dealing with an enourmous amount of stress and responsibility. He has people who want to kill him, adults who don't believe him, hide information from him, and/or want something from him. He's suffered a lot of loss in his life. I understand why he got angry with people although I think he took it out a little too much on Ron and especially Hermione. What I like about the films is that it does show Harry happy at times.

Completely. In the books, it's hard to see these people as friends after the second or third book. They're always fighting about petty stuff. The movies do a great job showing these characters as best friends and I believe their relationship. Little scenes like them sitting around and laughing about stuff in HPB, them not completely hating on each other all through OotP, Hermione's and Harry's exchanges while he and Ron were fighting in GoF were lighter. That kind of stuff was lost in the books.

The dance was absolutely perfect. Too much of the books were spent with Ron and Hermione trying to build up Harry, yet it seems like he does nothing for them. These was probably my favorite scene and it shows why I love the movie version of Harry. He actually does care about Ron and Hermione.

 

[cultcross]

I understand why Harry is in such a bad mood, he's dealing with an enourmous amount of stress and responsibility. He has people who want to kill him, adults who don't believe him, hide information from him, and/or want something from him. He's suffered a lot of loss in his life. I understand why he got angry with people although I think he took it out a little too much on Ron and especially Hermione. What I like about the films is that it does show Harry happy at times.

Absolutely agreed - that's exactly why no. 5 is my least favourite book, but my favourite film.

 

[Shazam!]

These was probably my favorite scene and it shows why I love the movie version of Harry. He actually does care about Ron and Hermione.

Yeah, and even right at the start when Hermione hugs Ron, he just legs it over to both of them and kinda surprise hugs them.

 

[C_Miller]

These was probably my favorite scene and it shows why I love the movie version of Harry. He actually does care about Ron and Hermione.

Yeah, and even right at the start when Hermione hugs Ron, he just legs it over to both of them and kinda surprise hugs them.

Agreed. See, when I watch anything, it's because of the characters. Character interaction is always my favorite thing in film, tv and books. Rowling really dropped the ball with that. She created great characters, but really rested on her laurels. I first read the books when I didn't have many friends and in many ways Harry, Ron and Hermione were my friends. So it was sad that their friendship took a backseat to Voldemort. In that way, the movies beat out the book in so many ways. Especially since David Yates took over.

 

[cultcross]

One more thing I forgot to add: It was really nice not to see Ron getting shafted this time. I got really sick of the trend of Hermione getting lines in the films lifted directly from Ron in the books, Harry and Hermione constantly centre stage while Ron just occasionally chipped in with a joke. At the end of the HBP film, Harry and Hermione are discussing some pretty crucial stuff, the note in the locket, what Harry will do next year, the fact Hermione and Ron will come with him, and the fact that Harry wants to do some wand work with Ron's little sister, and where's Ron? Sat way behind them almost out of frame in complete silence.

 

[Lapis Exilis]

It was good as HP movies go. I generally feel the movies (except PoA) lack the very thing that makes the books enjoyable, which is the wacky originality and humor of the magical world Rowling creates, and this one was no different on that score - other than a few scenes the sense of this being a fantasy world was missing. However, the character moments were well played, and it did manage a true sense of foreboding, particularly carrying off the ending very well. It left me feeling quite sad.

The shipping nonsense is usually lost on me, but it did seem apparent that someone on the production team is hip to it, and much fodder was provided to the Harry/Hermione shippers, perhaps as a kind of consolation prize, and it was done with a light enough touch to still create what I think has turned out to be a very inspiring fictional friendship between a young man and a young woman - a rare thing to see.

Voldemort is still a very stock villain and the menace of the Death Eaters is more plot device to give the main characters something to play off of than anything else - but that was true in the books so I can't count it against the movies. I look forward to the final chapter and what should be a rousing conclusion.