By Chip Schrader
Movie Review Editor
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One” begins with off-camera squeaking and whispering, setting an eerie tone for the very eerie penultimate installment of the legend. The first thing we see is a man’s eyes in a tight close-up shot, his voice saying, “These are dark times, there is no denying.” The image pans back revealing the voice belongs to the Minister of Magic, likely still stunned by Dumbledore’s assassination, just as the group of somber people he is addressing are likely feeling.
The most notable entry in the film is that of Professor Severus Snape slipping magically through the darkened gates of an ominous estate that is the meeting place for the Death Eaters, the clan that is after Harry Potter, and Voldemort is at the helm. The first half hour seems to be completely set in twilight, and the entire film is gloomy and overcast with muted colors.
The color has a tinge of blue throughout, and resonates with the emotion and anxiety that has overcome the characters. This effect alone creates great effect, but viewers are also treated to a high-speed chase that begins in the clouds and lands on the motorway in London, a wedding that Death Eaters invade, and a magical shootout in a cafe, reminiscent of gangster films. This is still just the first 45 minutes, or so.
The imagery is unbearably scenic as the three friends Harry, Hermione, and Ron traverse vast and barren landscapes that show how alone they are in fighting the immense evil that has ascended. Many scenes are reminiscent of the approach Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman used in the classic “The Seventh Seal,” where a crusader duels with the angel of death for his life.
Many scenes test the young actors’ – already veterans – dramatic skills, as the mountains and cliffs in the background oversee their delivery of somber and sober acting that is top notch. Not only is there fear, but at sixteen, their eyes are opening to matters of the heart. It is staggering to watch these scenes that seem to be in slow motion like in old European cinema, and the sound of the radio naming off names of the condemned half-bloods further shapes the uneasy aura of the film as the camera sweeps over an abandoned village.
The best scene comes when Hermione recites the tale of the Deathly Hallows, where viewers are treated to an animation sequence that seems to be shot in black and white film negatives heavily dosed with shadows and fog. Emily Watson’s delivery of the tale was spot on.
Bottom line, this film is likely the best installment of the series to date. The last two films were very good, but didn’t quite hit the spot. Not so with “The Deathly Hallows Part One.” As expected, the who’s who of British celebrity deliver great acting, the scenery is creepy and amazing, and the action and drama gets moments of comic relief when characters transform themselves into other characters.
The settings, shooting and pace of the film is the highest cinematic experience, and the story, or this half of it, is amazingly deep and dark. It’s hard to imagine Harry Potter without Hogwarts or Dumbledore, but it works like a charm. Beware; it is a frightening experience with plenty of dark creatures. 5 out of 5.
Photo caption: Movie poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One (Courtesy photo)
Movie Review Editor
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One” begins with off-camera squeaking and whispering, setting an eerie tone for the very eerie penultimate installment of the legend. The first thing we see is a man’s eyes in a tight close-up shot, his voice saying, “These are dark times, there is no denying.” The image pans back revealing the voice belongs to the Minister of Magic, likely still stunned by Dumbledore’s assassination, just as the group of somber people he is addressing are likely feeling.
The most notable entry in the film is that of Professor Severus Snape slipping magically through the darkened gates of an ominous estate that is the meeting place for the Death Eaters, the clan that is after Harry Potter, and Voldemort is at the helm. The first half hour seems to be completely set in twilight, and the entire film is gloomy and overcast with muted colors.
The color has a tinge of blue throughout, and resonates with the emotion and anxiety that has overcome the characters. This effect alone creates great effect, but viewers are also treated to a high-speed chase that begins in the clouds and lands on the motorway in London, a wedding that Death Eaters invade, and a magical shootout in a cafe, reminiscent of gangster films. This is still just the first 45 minutes, or so.
The imagery is unbearably scenic as the three friends Harry, Hermione, and Ron traverse vast and barren landscapes that show how alone they are in fighting the immense evil that has ascended. Many scenes are reminiscent of the approach Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman used in the classic “The Seventh Seal,” where a crusader duels with the angel of death for his life.
Many scenes test the young actors’ – already veterans – dramatic skills, as the mountains and cliffs in the background oversee their delivery of somber and sober acting that is top notch. Not only is there fear, but at sixteen, their eyes are opening to matters of the heart. It is staggering to watch these scenes that seem to be in slow motion like in old European cinema, and the sound of the radio naming off names of the condemned half-bloods further shapes the uneasy aura of the film as the camera sweeps over an abandoned village.
The best scene comes when Hermione recites the tale of the Deathly Hallows, where viewers are treated to an animation sequence that seems to be shot in black and white film negatives heavily dosed with shadows and fog. Emily Watson’s delivery of the tale was spot on.
Bottom line, this film is likely the best installment of the series to date. The last two films were very good, but didn’t quite hit the spot. Not so with “The Deathly Hallows Part One.” As expected, the who’s who of British celebrity deliver great acting, the scenery is creepy and amazing, and the action and drama gets moments of comic relief when characters transform themselves into other characters.
The settings, shooting and pace of the film is the highest cinematic experience, and the story, or this half of it, is amazingly deep and dark. It’s hard to imagine Harry Potter without Hogwarts or Dumbledore, but it works like a charm. Beware; it is a frightening experience with plenty of dark creatures. 5 out of 5.
Photo caption: Movie poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One (Courtesy photo)
