Another Work of Pure Art

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2011)

**********MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***************
Something happened after GOF that has made the most-loved Harry Potter series into an exhibition of pure art. The coming of David Yates as the director was a huge blessing for this series that was probably dipping after the melodramatic climax of GOF. What Yates has accomplished is simply superb. His style of directing that was in earlier stages of testing in OOTP got refined in HBP. But here, in DH1 he has simply created an amazing masterpiece and also the best Harry Potter movie till date.
Although the earlier movies were a lot of fun and re-invented CGI effects in an all-new direction but the environment that Yates has created is the closest to the soul of the books. Apart from the first two Potter books, all the others had a dark brooding feel to them. Yates captured that feel to perfection.
He single-handedly transformed the series into a mature story of survival and friendship. In DH1 he is simply outstanding. What stands out about DH1 is the tension that is built up in the beginning and it is relentless till the end. As Harry, Ron and Hermione traverse the length and breadth of England in search of the Horcruxes of Lord Voldemort they are faced with choices and each choice has been described so vividly that makes you feel like you are making the choices as well. Add to that a painting like feel to the setting and you get a panoramic movie full of character development and some really cool CGI.
However, what stood out most is the portrayal of Voldemort. Ralph Fiennes was always the best (we know how sinister he could be as a villain courtesy Schindler's List) choice for the role. But somehow, his potential was never realized. For the first time, you feel his power. The way he addresses his servants in the opening of the movie-- that is probably one of the best scenes of the series. I hope they continue with the same kind of presentation for Voldemort in DH2 where he'll have virtually half the screen-time.
The young actors were good as usual. However, it can be said that Radcliffe has taken his skills to an all new level. He looks like an actor now. And the unexpected dance scene with Hermione was so awesome that even a huge Harry Potter fan would be amused by that. The whole new dimension was added to Harry and Hermione's friendship in this movie which was present in the books but the prior movies missed it completely. Other directors failed to realize that they weren't just classmates. They share a bond of love that is very different from being friends or lovers. This movie brought that side out and it was really satisfying to sit back and say that they got it right--finally.
All in all, it is must-watch for any HP fan. But for those who haven't read the books, a little back-story introduction can be enough for them to enjoy this movie from an individual stand point. After all, apart from all the blended stories, it is still the final showdown between good and evil. 10 POINTS for DH1.