Exceptional compared to previous films.

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 2010)

After watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday, 'pleasantly surprised' would be an understatement. I went in expecting it to be as poor as the Half-Blood Prince (missing and altering key information, butchering Dumbledore's death, etc.) and as a Potterhaed, I appreciate that I am very hard to please but this just makes the fact that I give this film 9 an even greater achievement for David Yates (who I feel ruined the previous film). The film has many touching scenes with adrenalin-pumping action and comedy as well. For example, when Hermione (Emma Watson) is tortured, her piercing screams seem to rip through the viewer's heart as well. It was an outstanding display of her acting ability. There was also the dance scene between Harry and Hermione which didn't feature in the book so it feels somewhat awkward for big Potter fans but in terms of film-making, it's outstanding. By using this dance, Yates almost seems to clear the air between Harry and Hermione, passing unspoken words between them but it also makes it clear that they don't feel 'that way' about each other. The scene in Godric's Hollow is also very good. It doesn't quite paint the picture of warmth that's in the book but prefers to seem more cold and distant which slightly reduces the shock a few minutes later. The chase through the sky (and road) at the start is truly exhilarating on the big screen and you truly feel how hectic it is. I don't wish to 'spell' the whole film out to you but these scenes aren't even necessarily the best ones.
There is something which I can't quite put my finger on which means the film doesn't earn 10 because no film can quite equal the book because, to me, the books were perfect but this film was close enough to the plot to be good but the best thing about this film is that even the most learned Harry Potter fans may feel prepared for the shocks but the film's ability to surprise everyone in the cinema and evoke emotion from all ages has made this film the best Harry Potter film for a long time (maybe ever). I could watch it over and over. Compared to the last film, this was truly awe-inspiring. I plan to watch it again and would tell anyone who wants a film with a wide range emotions to see it. Outstanding!