Riveting and Beautifully Acted but Incomplete

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2010)

I am writing this review from the perspective of having read all of JK Rowling's majestic chronicles. So I suppose that makes me very very far from unique. But anyway, here's my take on it: Its a thoroughly riveting, beautifully acted and tense film. This entry takes maturity to its next level to a point where the whimsical magic of previous films have now completely evaporated evolving deeper and deeper into non lit places (sorry, just trying to avoid using the much overused "darkest episode yet") But I'll be honest, as much as I enjoyed this film, I suspect this will be my least repeated viewing film in the series. I have watched all the previous films more than twice (and for the record I love every single film in the series including the much criticised first 2). But this one is much more slowly paced, which is not my complaint, in fact I loved the pacing, its the fact that it wraps up hardly any story thread in such a slow manner, that it its re-watchable factor is very low. Yes it is Part 1 of 2 but still, with any chronicle series, I expect at least 1 or 2 sub plots to be resolved. Here, I cannot think of any sub story strand being resolved. But I will watch it again, just not as many times as the others which offer a more all round complete package of entertainment and complete narrative.
There are other flaws. The main one being that there are too many elements thrown into the broth without a proper smooth narrative, so it just becomes too convoluted. There are even some important elements introduced that are just not explained at all (ex,. the mirror shard). But I suppose this cannot be helped for the sake of making sure part 2 weaves together the main threads that are vital for the grand finale.
But this was still a great film despite my criticisms, simply because there was so much more brilliance that outweighs its admittedly plentiful flaws. The cinematography was stunning, Yates direction superbly elegant and sublime, the score was beautifully mellow and majestic at the right moments, some absolutely thrilling set pieces, a nice sprinkle of humour and the magnificent acting by the 3 young leads simply stunned me. In previous films, the senior British stalwarts were always there to add gravitas around our young actors. But here we see the three young leads leaving the nest, and carrying this whole damn movie on their own with tremendous aplomb, each giving hands down the best performances of their film career. Nothing seems forced with them and not once do I ever feel they are acting, their relationship and expressed emotions are so believable and organic.
I cannot help miss what has been left out of the books but that in no way affects my rating for the film, in fact there are scenes added and changes made that turned out to be poignant and beautiful highlights of the film. So kudos to the screen writing of Steve Kloves.
So please roll on the grand finale of this magnificent fantasy series. The likes of which I doubt we'll experience again for a very long time.