One of the Weakest of the Series

Rating: 5/10 (27 November 2010)

The fantasy film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is directed by David Yates and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The film takes place all over the wizarding world.
In the first part of the final chapter of the hit series Harry Potter (Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Watson), and Ron Weasley (Grint) are trying to form a plan with the group known as the Order of the Phoenix to overcome Lord Voldemort (Fiennes) and the rest of the death eaters. When the group is attacked by the death eaters they find themselves on the run while trying to find the horcruxes which can be used to destroy Lord Voldemort. Tensions grow between the three teens while they are searching for the horcruxes. Will they find all the horcruxes and make the wizarding world safe? You won't find out in this one but you will in the next one.
The screenplay by Steve Kloves based on the world wide bestselling novels was poor because the film does not stand out on its own. I have not seen the last Harry Potter film since it was in theatres so I don't really remember all the details. But besides that it was a pretty basic film plot wise. Wizards attacked, on the run and in hiding, search for objects to destroy evil, get attacked along the way, and then get ready for the sequel. Now let me just say right now that I have not read the books and I'm not a die-hard fan of the series so don't hate me forever because I am writing a negative review about this film. Most great sequels or even decent sequels someone can go in and watch and enjoy without seeing the earlier films. If we look to this summer's Toy Story 3 it was a very good film that you did not really need to see the other films to enjoy it.
David Yates direction on the other hand was pretty good. He had some very nice shots the whole way through, I can see him in the future on a different project getting some Oscar attention. I really liked the way he opened the film with a close up on the minister of magic's eyes and then all the cameras flashing taking a picture of him. Also, when Hermione was telling the legend of the three brothers I liked how he switched a Corpse Bride like animation technique, it was very effective and interesting. It reminded me a little of how a character in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 was telling a story and Tarantino decided to make it animated. Yates didn't get the greatest performances from his actors though.
The acting in this film was mediocre, even though some supporting characters were able to give a nice performance. All three leads, Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint, did a decent job but nothing that will make me believe that they will remain stars after the series come to an end. The only one of the three that I think has a chance is Emma Watson because she gives the best performance of them in all the films and Radcliffe and Grint have a very unique look that will only work for a limited selection of films. Everyone in this film who established their career from other films such as Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, and Brendan Gleeson, did a fine job with their very unique and in Carter and Gleeson's cases corky characters. I would have mentioned Alan Rickman as well but in this film his part only lasts around five minutes.
The score by Alexandre Desplat was great as it is in all of the Harry Potter films. It added another layer to what was happening on the screen allowing the audience to get deeper into the film. The classical melodies are always great and I personally like a film better when they decide to make their musical classical rather than a non orchestrated score.
Overall I give this film a 5/10. If I was to watch the first six films before this one than walk into the theatre I would have probably have given this a 6 or maybe even a 7. The main problem of this film is that it does not stand on its own unlike many great sequels over history such as The Godfather Part II, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Dark Knight, Toy Story 3, or any of the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars (original) sequels. I still recommend this film to Harry Potter fans and I hope that you enjoy it.