The most faithful Potter film

Rating: 9/10 (22 November 2010)

This is, without a doubt, the best adapted Harry Potter film to date.
I know that many people think that the decision to split the "Deathly Hallows" adaptation in two parts is all about making more profit out of the last installment. Well, certainly they had that on account but, and I hope, they had also wanted to deliver the HP fans all over the world the epic finale that this series deserves. And "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" raises even more the expectations for next July. And why? Simply, Part 1 is one of the best Potter films ever made! After reading all the seven books and watching all the six films, the first film of the "Deathly Hallows" adaptation is simply brilliant.
David Yates, after "Order of the Phoenix" and "Half-Blood Prince" (which, by the way, I quite enjoyed and yes, I'm a HP fan), had the privilege of directing the two-part film and Part 1 is almost by-the-book. Yes, they added scenes that it weren't on the novel and cut some parts that are in the book. However, unlike some in HBP, they help to install the dark mood of the movie and to fresh things up (like the Harry/Hermione dance scene). Talking more about the book parts adapted. Well, as I already said, it's the most faithful Potter movie of all six. While watching I remembered the majority of the scenes I read a few year's ago.
The acting was pretty good, especially Emma Watson (in my opinion, Hermione surpassed Harry and Ron in a few scenes; is great to see a actor/actress evolve so much over the years). Rupert Grint/ Ron has finally(!) had some intense emotional scenes. Radcliffe was better either. Aside from the trio, we have, as always, Helen Boham Carter as the crazy Bellatrix and, believe me, when I saw her torturing Hermione, biting her arm, I became dazzled by such extraordinary acting skills.
Finally, let me get more technical. The cinematography is beautiful. Eduardo Serra made a wonderful job with the footage. The soundtrack is great; I see that Desplat as worked hard on the picture and I'm anxious for what he is going to do for Part 2.
For me it's 9/10. It's well directed, good acting, great casting, gorgeous cinematography. The adaptation is (at least most of it) like the book, but I think they should stretched the first battle a little bit longer, it seemed a bit rushed (hey don't get me wrong, it was great and smartly filmed, no matter what) and I felt some lack of emotion after the news of Mad-Eye's death. But does not the great quality of this movie. Fellow fans and non-fans, please enjoy it.