"an adequate cliffhanger for the ending of a phenomenon"

Rating: 7/10 (21 November 2010)

9 years ago the world was first introduced to the courageous trio of companions whom audiences of all ages have embraced. The series has faced the challenges of adolescence, friendship, rivalry & most significantly death. The Final installment of the Harry Potter films "The Deathly Hallows" is presented in two parts and primarily deals with love & death which is quite strongly emphasised throughout the story.
The film begins with the urgency of protecting Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) from the almost indestructible Lord Voldermort portrayed by two time Academy Award Nominated* (Ralph Fiennes) who has completed his ascension to power by taking over Hogwarts with his death eaters by his side. After a threatful and rather upsetting escape from an attack, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) & Hermoine (Emma Watson) continue the work of the late Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) in destroying the remaining Horcruxes which embody the the torn soul of the evil Lord Voldermort. The sacrifice Harry's friends have made in accompanying him on this mission begins to toll on the friendship they once so closely shared, as Ron questions the faith Harry has for Dumbledore due to the lack of guidance and information to pursue. Along the way frantically racing against time whilst the Dark Lord continues to gain power by the day, Harry discovers the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world known as the "Deathly Hallows", which he now understands is the focus behind Voldemort's intentions. To possess the "Deathly Hallows" would create the master of death himself, so the lives of the loved ones dearest to them relies on the decisions they now make.
Without the reading of the books or more particularly if you are approaching this film without seeing the previous titles in the series it will be extremely hard to comprehend what's going on. There are dozens of names and references that without having a Potter encyclopedia by your side will mind boggle you. The flowing of the film is also questionable, although it is only Part One and our questions may be answered in Part two.
On a positive note Eduardo Serra's Cinematography should be praised as it's finest the series has seen; particularly the forest sequences and underwater shots in which a climatic sequence between Harry and the destruction of a horcrux takes place. Alexandre Desplat does a fantastic job scoring the film giving it an all new feel to the music world John Williams created for us early in the series, nothing needs to be said about the visual effects which are always visually pleasing. There are no doubts in the acting of our three heroes as Daniel Radcliffe especially has proved himself as a true leading young man. As always fans will be disappointed in the lack of screen time from the unbelievable supporting cast the series has seen; Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Gary Oldman to name a few and newcomers to the set of Potter Bill Nighy along with Rhys Ifans, although what little time they do have they use to their advantage, my favourite being Alan Rickman as "Severus Snape" who casting was sublime.
The splitting of the films is an adequate cliffhanger for the ending of a phenomenon and will surely leave the viewer eagerly anticipating Part Two which opens July 2011.