Maturing

Rating: Null/10 (31 December 2010)

It's general consensus that the franchise has matured into a movie no longer for little kids. The Hogwarts School of Watchcraft has all but disappeared from the scene, together with it the familiar motifs such as quidditch. But this is still an adventure fantasy, for grown ups as well as young adults. Almost like in an NFL game, the line- ups are displayed up front. First, there is a meeting chaired by none other than Voldemort himself, with in attendance everybody and anybody that has earned a rightful place in the team. Bellatrix even volunteers to kill Harry but Voldemort loses no time in putting her in her place, declaring in no uncertain terms that such exquisite pleasure is reserved for himself and himself alone. The line-up of the bright side starts with the reunion of the trio in Harry's hideout, followed by worthy members of the Order of Phoenix streaming in, led by the inimitable pair of Hagrid and Alastor Mad-Eye Moody. (I haven't attached the name of the actors to the characters in the customary manner. If you don't remember who plays who, you should have. There are, however, two new comers, which I'll come to later).
What follows is almost like a road movie, with the trio in a continuous run from Voldemort and company, for their dear lives, while at the same time trying to find that counter-stroke to remove this ominous threat once and for all. The race is on. What they need to find is a bunch of something called Horcruxes, fragments of Voldemort's soul to be destroyed. That only one so far is found in this first part makes it quite obvious that this is only a teaser of things to come in the grand finale (i.e. after 10 years and 7 movies). In the process, the trio encounters two new comers to the franchise. Bill Nighty plays the rather officious official of the magic establishment while Rhys Ifans is Xenophilius Lovegood, a provocative journalists who reveals to the trio important legends that are crucial to their quest.
About the trio who whom kids in the last decade grew up, it's a pleasure to see them mature into actors with credentials. Rupert Grint brings out the so far hidden inferiority complex of Ron. Daniel Radcliff is more than ever the titular enduring hero. Emma Watson is particularly good in portraying in subtle nuances Hermione complex feelings towards these two young men with whom she grew up – friendship and sibling-like bonding with Harry and slightly awkward but very palpable adolescence love with Ron.
We all look forward to THIS summer.
Posted on January 1, 2011