It’s been a long time coming, but the end of an era is drawing ever closer. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) is about to hit our screens and here at the @rcade we were lucky enough to catch a private screening before it is set free to the masses on Friday.
To say we have been waiting with baited breath to see this movie is a definite understatement. The books have been a part of our lives for many years now. Harry, Ron and Hermione have without question become some of the few fictional characters who hold a dear spot in our hearts. Accompanying them through their coming of age during their time in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry eased us through our own adolescence (believe it or not!) and now the time has come for us to part ways as they face their final battle against the malevolent dark wizard, Lord Voldemort.
For those unfamiliar with the series (shame on you!), a little recap may be necessary. The books follow Harry, who was orphaned as a baby, and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. All three are students at Hogwarts, a wizarding school. Throughout the series, Harry and his friends must battle the dark arts in various forms, and ultimately defeat Lord Voldemort, the wizard who murdered Harry’s parents and stop his quest to conquer the magical world and subjugate non-magical people.
In the first installment of Deathly Hallows, we find our three heroes have negated their final year in Hogwarts, in order to seek and destroy more of the items known as ‘horcruxes’ which contain pieces of Voldemort’s soul. Having found two in the previous movie Half Blood Prince, they begin the search for the third out of seven. Along the way, they must remain untraced by Voldemort’s followers known as Death Eaters, as well as the Ministry of Magic. No easy task right?
Well, neither was taking on a role in this movie, but it has to be said that every single piece of casting was selected with perfect consideration. Taking into account the fact that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were all under the age of twelve when they were first cast in their respective roles, it is with great admiration that we have watched them bring our favourite characters to life on screen. The battles of being a teen and saving the world are no easy feat to portray but somehow they do so with grace and style. The same can be said for the villainous roles, especially those such as Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Both strike fear and loathing in the audience, making them impeccable foes for our heroes. Honourable mentions must also go to Julie Walters as Molly Weasley, Ron’s overprotective and loving mother and Alan Rickman as the double crossing Professor (now Headmaster) Severus Snape.
The special effects in a movie on the scale of Deathly Hallows can sometimes look questionable, but thankfully, they are impeccable to the point where we almost considered them an acceptable part of real life! Disapparating here, there and everywhere (that’s teleporting to the unfamiliar) and magic spells, jinxes and charms flying about make up for the few action sequences compared to previous installments. The flight sequence near the beginning is undoubtedly awesome, and a battle of wits in a dingy London cafe provides most of the explosions. This chapter definitely focuses more on the character development of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Tensions rise as the three must live in close quarters and emotions are evidently heightened. The breathtaking scenery that accompanies a beautifully haunting score by Golden Globe winner Alexandre Desplat add much substance to what could have been a very boring film. Long, quiet sequences and melancholy backdrops of mountains and forests may prove tedious for some audiences, but fitting for most.
Having had some reservations about previous chapters of the franchise, we honestly couldn’t find any faults with the first installment of Deathly Hallows. The transgression from book to movie is never an easy process but director David Yates does a magnificent job of keeping the true spirit of the book intact. Regretfully, the wondrous world of Harry Potter must come to a close at some point, but we remain ever grateful to the countless people who played a part in bringing the magical story to life on screen. All that remains to be seen is whether the Battle for Hogwarts makes the epic leap from page to silver screen successfully when Deathly Hallows (Part 2) hits our screens next July.
And just for the giggles…
