A Worthy Beginning of the End

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2010)

When I first discovered that they planned to split the final book into two full movies, I was pleased. While I understand the necessity of selectively editing the content of a book when it is adapted to the big screen, I was very disappointed in what the production team decided to leave out of some of the movies...particularly the last three. The decision to essentially make "Deathly Hallows" a 5+ hour movie split into two parts gave Me the hope that they would start the finale with Dumbledore's funeral and restore some of the elements previously dropped.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed. This scene set near the end of "Order of the Phoenix" was a pivotal scene that set up many of the events in "Deathly Hallows"; particularly the reaction of the non-humans in the magical world to Dumbledore's passing. My disappointment aside, I have to say that pt 1 of "Deathly Hallows" is very well done.
From the opening sequence, David Yates sets a pace that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Even when the story reaches the part my family refers to as, "the Never-ending Camping Trip," Yates and the principle actors keep it engaging...avoiding the mid-movie doldrums often found in longer films. Steve Kloves also did a great job with the script in providing the perfect place for the cliff-hanger with which pt 1 ended. And as many have mentioned, the animated "Tale of the Three Brothers" was simply delightful!
All in all, a wonderful movie and a beautiful way to begin the end of an iconic series. I anxiously await Part 2.