Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Movie Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

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Written by: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, Rhys Ifans, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione race against time to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.

Verdict
This is the setup movie for the big finale. With the final movie split into two parts, it does suffer from pacing issues. This one is the setup while Part 2 is the action. There's no payoff. Despite being setup, it's not a bad movie at all. It suffers from being overshadowed by the final installment. By it's very nature it's not meant to stand on it's own. If you've seen every movie in the series, you'll like it. If not, you'll be lost.
It depends.

Review
It's hard not to review this in tandem with Part 2 as they are parts of the same movie in essence. The two parts together complete an epic journey, but apart they each are lacking. I remember when the final book was announced as two movies it felt like a cash grab. That's true to a point, but there is just too much content in the book for one movie. Even then we don't get everything in the books.

This is really enjoyable, though it is only half to a whole. It just doesn't have the pacing and conclusion. It's setup for the final movie, though it does have touching and big moments. It's focus is friendship. The moments between Harry and Hermione make you want to ship them a bit, but it's clear their relationship is strictly platonic. Harry's quest to stop Voldemort's power with the aid of friends is the opposite of Voldemort's seeking of power using people only as instruments of destruction. Harry and Voldemort have always been opposite sides of the same coin. While the movies don't delve into this, Voldemort created the mythos that is Harry. Voldemort saw a prophecy and chose to target Harry, creating the "boy who lived."

This movie picks up right after the sixth movie. Harry, Ron, and Hermione must destroy black magic horcruxes created by Voldemort. It's the only way to defeat him.

Harry has no plan, though many serendipitous moments aid them in the quest. Part of that are the friends Harry doesn't even know he has and his intuition. Dumbledore has left them tools for the quest that makes Dumbledore seem prescient.
I love the thread of friendship in this movie, even if it did deserve more time.

We're introduced to the Deathly Hallows, a wand, a stone, and a cloak that would allow the wielder to conquer death. Of course Voldemort wants them, though we only learn of his desire in this movie. The famed cloak is one Harry already possesses. It seems strange that no one made the connection beforehand. The Deathly Hallows are a popular fairy tale. This is one aspect of the series I have misgivings about. It seems that the general story for Harry Potter was in place since the beginning, but you could also argue this is Rowling taking the pieces she has and rearranging them to make it seem that way. Either way it's an intriguing story and she's crafted something marvelous, but there are a few lapses if it was planned from the beginning.

While I have issues with the pacing of Deathly Hallows 1 & 2, this movie ends in a great spot thematically. There is tragedy on Harry's side and Voldemort has a big triumph. This really is a solid movie, but I felt a rush to get through this to the real conclusion. This movie suffers because it is just part one.

I've been rewatching the movies for the first time since they've come out. Since I've completed the entire series, this is how I'd rank the Harry Potter movies: The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire, The Sorcerers Stone, The Half-Blood Prince, The Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Deathly Hallows Part 1, The Chamber of Secrets, and The Order of the Phoenix.

Azkaban has the best story and execution with Goblet of Fire close behind. The Sorcerers Stone started the journey. As a kid I would have loved that kind of wish fulfillment. I still do. Half-Blood Prince is a surprisingly well rounded adventure. Hallows Part 2 is an incomplete movie, but it does conclude the adventure. Part 1 is mostly filler, but it's exciting as a nod for what's to come. Chamber of Secrets isn't bad, it just gets lost in the shuffle. I don't like Order of the Phoenix. Before I started my rewatch I thought it marked the start of the downfall of the series. It's not. It's just an utterly lackluster story.