My thoughts: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Overall: I don’t think I have any complaints. I am a huge stickler when it comes to the movies, but I was very, very pleased and still cannot think of anything I am legitimately mad/upset/sad about.
I am talking about a bunch of things in the new HP7 Part 1, so if you are hiding from HP7 talk, read no further!
*SPOILER WARNING*
The Beginning
They throw you right in, which I actually really liked – there’s not really time to explain everything and I think skipping over a lot of backstory helped move the movie along. Hermione’s “obliviate” part nearly made me cry and it was in the first couple of minutes of the movie! Ack.
Hedwig
I had heard Harry just… let her go, and I was upset about that before going into the movie because honestly, Harry would never do that – just let her go and never see her again? However! He lets her go, but that’s not where Hedwig’s part ends. Even though it’s not 100% true to the book, it accomplishes the same goal and is just as painful, so I was okay with it.
The Three Brothers
I had no idea this part would be as awesome as it was. The animation was delightfully creepy and beautiful, and I love how they revealed the story.
Dobby
The Dobby in this film is a weensy bit cuter and much more endearing than the second movie. I saw his death coming from miles away, and it was still totally devastating. I am tearing up again just thinking about that part – he was just so brave and helpful and oh! So sad. Truly. I cried.
Scenery
The places the trio visit during their horcrux hunt are absolutely beautiful. Well done, location scouts.
Scary bits
Daniel is notorious for jumping at all the expected moments in the movies and I rarely do. Even though I knew the truth about Bathilda Bagshot, it still made me jump when she revealed her true form. That was basically the only part that I thought was truly scary.
Minor Wishlisty Gripes
I did notice they left out the bit where the trio meets up with Dean Thomas (or was it Lee Jordan? I forget.) and Tonks’s dad and Griphook in the forest. I kept waiting for it to happen and it never did. I don’t really mind this, exactly, and I see why they left it out, but I did notice it was gone.
Also, the movie moved super fast. They packed a LOT of action into the film and even though it was about two and a half hours long, the pace was quickquick. I didn’t really notice it at the time, but afterward I thought about the movie as a whole and realized that Snape and Neville were both in the movie for about 12 seconds total which made me sad, but I think both of them will be featured much more heavily in Part 2.
Honestly, the movie really surpassed my expectations. I really cannot think of anything legitimate to gripe about and that says a lot. I’m considering seeing it in the theater again!
2 Comments
I feel the same way. There isn’t much bad to say about the movie. Mr. Lovegood wasn’t quite what I’d pictured and Voldemort doesn’t have the terrifying presence I imagine, but the characters still work fine in the movies. I thought the feelings of hopelessness, doubt, confusion, they experience in the forest came through very strong – which I was surprised by how well.
I haven’t read the book since it came out, so I don’t remember too much. What I did remember they did very well in the movie. It was the first time I cried over a death in the Harry Potter movies. Just ask Josh, I was bawling when Hedwig died and even moreso with Dobby.