Deathly Hallows part1: Post all reviews HERE - Page 2

I squealed like a mad fangirl when the Warner Brothers' sign appeared on the screen, I almost jumped too but then I realized I was sitting in a hall packed with fans. Let's get this straight – this film isn't going to make you happy. Period. Although there are bittersweet moments in the film that'll make you smile, it won't last for long because the inevitable sense of doom and destruction returns soon enough.

Right from the moment it starts, and till the moment it ends, the solemn feeling of sadness is consistently blended with each and every scene. These characters, that we've literally grown up with, have become extremely close to us fans. Hence, each and every emotion that they experience envelopes the viewers sitting in the hall as well.

First off, this film is not for anyone who has not been following the movies and/or books consistently and religiously. Each and every small detail has been magnified, which also brings me to the second point – that this film, out of all, is the truest to the book. Director David Yates has taken very little liberties with this one and anyone who doesn't remember the book by heart will not even notice. It was like watching the book unfold on the magnum opus scale, and it nailed each and every scene. I must have thought, 'That's exactly how I imagined it!' at least a million times during the film.

It begins with the Minister of magic, Rufus Scrimgeour addressing the press in the Ministry of Magic, followed by an individual introduction of the three characters – Harry, Hermione and Ron. They're not smiling and packing their trunks to board the Hogwarts Express now. Instead they're preparing themselves for a journey that will perhaps prove to be the longest and hardest journey of their lives.

The film picks up pace soon after the opening scene, and in no time you'll find yourself in the middle of an air-borne war that ends with a brutally injured George Weasley and a dead Mad-Eye. The wedding celebrations that follow seem to be painted with greyscale too, even though there is plenty of music and colour.

Seconds later, the trio are now on the run and find solace (for a while) in 12 Grimmauld Place. The film loosens up a bit from here and the focus shifts from 'trying to find a secure place' to the relationships between the characters. It is only then that you realize how strong of a bond these three share, how their friendship has been tested time and again, and how they have always managed to emerge as 'The Golden Trio'. However, everything isn't hunky dory in that aspect either as Ron begins to feel left out and estranged. One of the high points of the film is when he walks out.

The friendship between Harry and Hermione has always been touted as the one based on sheer faith and trust, and this film is a testament to that. For all Harmony fans, there is a dance between these two which is sure to take you by surprise! They silently support each other through the journey and try to keep that ray of hope illuminated amidst all the darkness.

It picks up pace once again after the trio visit Xenophilius Lovegood, who educates them about the Deathly Hallows. Watch out for the animated version of the tale of the three brothers – it's a brilliant animated rendition of the story, one of the best that I've seen in recent times. (Oscars – are you listening?)

The trio are snatched by the snatchers soon after and are taken to the Malfoy Manor. The entire scene here belongs to two people – Dobby and Hermione, or Emma Watson to be precise. She proves why she is clearly the one who has evolved most as an actor. Her screams and tears are sure to linger for a long time. Dobby – he truly is the unsung hero of the Harry Potter series. The moment he said, 'Dobby is a free elf', the entire hall broke into a round of applause and hoots. Not to mention, his death scene was the most poignant and emotional scene of the entire film.

Coming to the performances – they're another reason why this film works so much.

Daniel Radcliffe – He embodies Harry like no other. It's almost like the character has sunk into his very being. Harry is imperfect, he's clumsy, sarcastic, irritable, emotionally constraint, and yet he's the best contemporary hero. Daniel captures exactly that and proves once again why he is the only one who could have portrayed Harry. Best scene? A tie between the godric's hollow scene and the one where he has a fight with Ron.

Emma Watson – She was the best this time, hands down. I have always rooted for her, even when she wasn't so good. With this film she has surpassed herself. Right from the scene where she utters a quiet 'Obliviate' to the scene where she is brutally tortured by Bellatrix, she enacts with so much finesse and excellence that it's hard to believe that she was mediocre at one point of time.

Rupert Grint – He has been consistently good as Ron Weasley. But this time, I'm glad we got to see the darker side of his character – which he executed brilliantly. His growing affection for Hermione is sweet and Rupert truly knows how to capture the 'smitten' look. Best scene? The one where he destroys the horcrux – intense!

The elder cast is as usual, stunning. There is hardly anything I can say about them because they define their characters so brilliantly. I love Helena Bohnam Carter, she makes Bellatrix so deliciously evil! She isn't there much but she steals the show each time she enters the frame. Ralph Fiennes is the ultimate evil – Lord Voldermort is haunting only because of Fiennes. Staunton returns as the giggly, pinky yet nasty Umbrigde. She wickedly smirks and gets rid of muggleborns as easily as doing away with flies. Rickman portrays the cold and calculative Snape amazingly yet again.

The ending scene of the film, where Lord Voldermort mercilessly rips Dumbledore's grave apart to steal the Elder Ward, sets the tone for the next and last film perfectly. The way he shoots a powerful spell in the sky spells 'War' in bold, underlined letters.

In the end, there isn't much action in the film but book-fans won't miss it either. It was an awesome build up to an explosive bomb which I'm sure will explode in the last film. In a way, I am happy that all the action has been put aside for the second part while this one just focuses on the friendship between these three. You won't get to see such moments in the second film.

It didn't drag; infact I was so engrossed in the film that the ending was actually a surprise.

Potterheads, go watch it! It's worth the wait.

4/5.

P.S - The Harmony fan inside of me grew by 10x!