The books have sold over 794 million copies worldwide and the first six movies in the Harry Potter film series have grossed $5.4 billion dollars worldwide, more than any other film franchise in the world and it’s not over yet. With two films still to come (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2), fans will surely flock to theaters in eager crowds filled with fans of the book series, the movies, and both. The strategic decision to split the final book (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) into two films was both a smart creative and financial decision. Surely, splitting the the book into two will double Warner Brothers’ profits, but it will also provide the opportunity to satisfy fans with a thorough and faithful adaptation from book to screen, something that is rarely ever seen.
The movie begins with an emotional scene as Hermione erases the memory of her life from her parents’ minds and all the pictures of her fade away. The Dursley’s are quickly abandoning Harry, warned of the impending danger he could bring upon them and Ron is seen contemplating the events to come. These scenes allude to the sacrifices they are about to make and the risks of the journey they are about to embark on, as their mission to destroy Lord Voldemort’s horcruxes looms ever closer. The movie soon takes off into fast-paced mayhem as members of the Order of the Phoenix transport Harry to a safe location from Lord Voldemort’s grasp. From that point on Harry, Ron, and Hermione are thrust into the journey that they were only still preparing for, as the ministry is taken over by lord Voldemort.
Although at some points the film seems rushed, it’s justifiable as they can’t transfer every detail and every scene from paper to film, much like all the other films and the scenes they have cut.
This movie, though, feels different from the rest for two reasons: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are away from the once comforting and safe halls of Hogwarts, constantly traveling and avoiding the Death Eaters and Snatchers (people searching for half-bloods and muggle-borns for money from the Ministry) that are out to get them and the plot and their mission is so dark that the movie seems constantly on the verge of horrible tragedy.
Ron seems to be the only one to provide comical relief on their journey, mostly at the expense of his character’s slight stupidity, but when he needs to be, Rupert Grint (who plays Ron Weasley), can deliver a very convincing dramatic performance, not unlike his costars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). To see how much they’ve grown and how far their acting ranges have spanned since the very first film is amazing in itself. J.K. Rowling created a fantastic world in the novels and the filmmakers and actors successfully and faithfully convey her vision onto the screen.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione are mainly the only characters seen throughout most of the film, and only Harry and Hermione at one point, it was great to see that the trio could successfully carry the film on their shoulders, keeping up with movie’s taut pace.
The ending arrives suddenly, though, stopping you in the middle of the incredibly fast and engrossing pace with the sad death of a minor, but vital character. When the ending did come, disappointment was felt throughout the theater at the realization that they would have to wait until July to see the next and final installment, but the novel could not have been done justice in one film. If the release date for the second part wasn’t so far away, seeing as it is already filmed and put together, ready for release in the next couple of months. The hype needs to build, though, and when the second part does come, it will surely be as successful, if not more successful than the fantastic first part and the Harry Potter series will be sorely missed.