Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
So here we are. The penultimate movie of the Harry Potter franchise. Seems like yesterday when we came up with the idea to post a review a day, leading up to July, 31. Now as I come closer to finishing the series, I feel reluctant to put my thoughts to words. It is not that I don’t want to put them down, it is more like, I don’t want it to end. But like they say, All good things must come to an end, so will this, tomorrow, I think.
Without any further ado, let us just get to it then. Following the events of the previous movie, the Golden Trio, well Harry, to be more specific, is left with a very special and extremely difficult task. A task, which if accomplished can save the Wizarding World, and if not, can bring about destruction of mankind and wizards alike. Harry turns eighteen and with it, he will finally be free of the Dursleys. But at what cost?
Death strikes early on in this instalment. And Harry is eventually losing almost all that were a part of his growing years. The symbolism is so apt and the deaths, they come at such a time that you just cannot help but feel miserable. This one is not really my favourite in the franchise but whenever I watch this one, I cry, ugly tears (snot and all), twice, only.
Amongst all the dark things that are happening around them, they still have a reason to celebrate. A wedding. And quite a grand affair, if I may say so myself. For this one too, I hadn’t read the book before watching the movie. I had resolved to myself that I wouldn’t not until I had watched the final one. I didn’t want to spoil my experience and my enjoyment of the series, in a way. I was grown enough to know that the moment I finish the book, it would all be over for me. So I read the final book some time in 2016 and then read in once again, right after, to make that feeling last a little while longer.
Not deliberating more on my reasons for procrastination, I go back once again to the movie. Everyone is scared of what is to come. However, that has not stopped them from fighting the darkness of what is soon to come. While the Golden Trio is on their quest to complete the task Dumbledore had given to them, another trio, (we Potterheads often refer to them as the Silver Trio), keeps the fight alive at Hogwarts.
Everyone is doing their bit to keep the fight alive and boost everyone’s morale. On the other hand, the Dark forces are rising as well. And once again, a direct consequence is the death of yet another character I loved (Harry barely tolerated him). However, it is not over yet and as the end credits roll, you wonder, what more is left to happen? Well, a lot!
Coming back to the movie, the cast have done a stellar job but could only do so much to save the almost average storyline. David Yates could have done better. Considering, the talented cast, the amazing storyline, he went overboard in trying to add his own touch to the movie, messing it up, big time. Movie loyalists of the franchise might think otherwise but the ones who have read the books, you know what I am talking about, right? My only bit of solace is that they decided to keep the closing scene exactly the same. And I can never be grateful enough for that.
Here we are, just one more to go and then I won’t be telling you, “Show some love, it is free”. It has been therapeutic, putting these thoughts to words. It is the first time that I am doing something like this. Writing my thoughts down, my feelings and emotions regarding the Harry Potter series. I know there is one more to go, but thank you, dear reader, for going through this journey with me.
Well, now I think it is time I go back to the first movie and relive some of the happier times when the movies and the books did not diverge so immensely. This addiction of mine, it is vicious, I tell you!
Disclaimer: The above review solely illustrates the views of the writer.