The Beginning Of The End

Rating: 10/10 (20 November 2010)

"These are dark times, there is no denying."
The sentence sets of the mood and everyone prepares for the journey.
The beginning may feel a bit rushed up but it was well achieved. I think it prepares us to accept that this time will be different. Harry remembers when he slept under the stairs and it brought so many memories from the first film. Reason why I loved the movie from the very start. The way Hedwig dies is somewhat different from what it is described in the book but it was changed in a pleasant way from my perspective. She is killed by a Deatheater, yes, but protecting Harry while flying instead of dying while inside the cage. It was very touching and that moment made the button of emotion of the film get turned on. I almost burst into tears right there and it wasn't the only moment. This also prepares us for the many losses Harry suffers through the film, intensifying the sacrifice, courage, friendship and all the values that surround the Harry Potter world.
Another moment of the film I would like to highlight is after Ron's departure. Harry and Hermione aren't in the best mood and suddenly Harry invites Hermione to a dance. I almost cried here as well. Their complicity was astonishing and it helped to lighten the dark feeling of loss and despair. I noticed how everyone started to laugh and made like "awww" in the cinema when Harry started to wave Hermione's hands with this tilted smile emerging on his face. Outstanding!
There were many more of this moments and I wish I could describe them all but I wouldn't stop writing till tomorrow morning. This film is very more mature, more focused on friendship and how to survive through hard times. Daniel, Emma and Rupert did an amazing job portraying the characters, as well as the rest of actors, and they exceed their capacities on this one. Also, little old Dobby appears (aswell as Kreacher) and the special effects were magnificent since the spells to the animated sequence of The Tale Of The Three Brothers. It was amazing.
The slow pace is very well achieved, never dragging, very real, allowing to explain the details behind the story to those who didn't read the books and a pleasure to those who read them as in my case. The soundtrack is awesome as always and they were very daring which made me love the movie even more. Towards the end of film when Harry, Hermione and Ron are chased by Snatchers is incredibly awesome not because of the music, but for the lack of it! They Apparate and suddenly everybody holds his breath in the room. The three friends are face to face with Snatchers. Whoops! They decide to run and the music ceases. The work of the sound effects was marvelous, building the tension. Incredible!
I only regret they didn't show the scene where Harry finds the photograph and Lilly's letter on Sirius' room at Grimauld place. Thought it would be a very touching sequence but unfortunately they didn't put it in. Anyway, they definitely compensated with other details. Loved when they went to Godric's Hollow and they didn't take Polyjuice Potion. Harry said "I don't want to come here pretending to be someone else." I agreed and wasn't at all mad for this change they made. I was a bit apprehensive to how they were going to end this first part. Didn't want it to be abrupt causing me to get really angry because I wanted more but no, it was an amazingly-placed and well put together cliffhanger. Congrats on this!
I'm a true Harry Potter fan. Read all the books, accompanied all the films and the growth of the characters. This film (at least the first half) is fantastic indeed. Loved the previous films but this one is of course special and I had great expectations as it was even going to be split into two. Honestly, it even exceeded my expectations. There are no words to describe it.
I grew up with Harry Potter and I'm surely going to burst into tears when I leave the theater in 2011 after watching the second part. It's a shame all good things come to an end.
To finish, loved everything and congratulations to everyone that worked in the film. I highly recommend watching it whether you're a Potter fan or not. It definitely deserves it and I'm sure going to see it again if the opportunity arises!