Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie reviews
Movie reviews for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1" -- certainly the most highly awaited adaptation of the year -- are starting to come in. At the risk of seeming movie-heavy on the blog this week, with yesterday's Green Lantern post, here are some excerpts from reviews:
Tribune newspapers -- It takes its time. It has a heavy heart, and a sluggish middle passage. By conventional "wow" standards it offers the least magic and conventional energy of the films so far. ... What works especially well this time? The little things. Alexandre Desplat's musical score is the best of the series so far, never going for bombast when an undercurrent of emotion or menace or comfort will do instead.
Boston Globe -- “Part One’’ features the most deliriously inspired moviemaking since “The Prisoner of Azkaban,’’ from 2004, but I’m not sure I believe Warner Bros. is ready to part with a franchise that’s pulled in the equivalent of the gross domestic product of most of the islands in the Caribbean. ... “The Deathly Hallows’’ ends as it begins, in Lord Voldemort’s creepy thrall. But the film has enough moments of silence and shots of its three heroes doing nothing so much as looking spiritually put-upon to pass muster at European art houses. On one hand, scenes of Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) trekking through the woods and across moors are precious filler. On another, they’re daring.
Salon -- The over-under for making sense of "Deathly Hallows" is five. If your consumption of Potter books and movies totals at least that much, and includes one or more iterations of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (sixth in the series), you should be fine. If you lack at least a moderate degree of immersion in the Potter canon, though, then this movie seriously isn't for you. Sure, doing some homework on Wikipedia or fan sites might help, but it's no substitute; you won't greet the members of the extended Weasley family with the same affection, welcome the deus-ex-machina reappearance of the magical elf Dobby with the same joy, or squirm in your seat at the ongoing soul-torment visible within Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape.
Comments
I’m SO ready to see this movie. I got my tickets two weeks ago!! My friends waited too late, so we’re hoping the theater will have some available when we go. *fingers crossed*
The theater in my hometown sold out 13 midnight showings about a week ago.
Posted by: Chevy Boy | November 18, 2010 2:34 PM
‘Harry Potter’ Refresher: Inside ‘Order Of The Phoenix’
http://www.castnews.us/harry-potter-refresher-inside-order-of-the-phoenix-917/
Posted by: castnews | November 19, 2010 6:56 AM
The relationship between the trio was utmost the forefront of this movie and I must say that I liked it. There were some very touching moments between Harry and Hermione but you could see that there was only friendship between the two.
The Ministry break in, I have to say was very amusing.
But the part that is going to have everyone raving and crying is the death of Dobby. If that doesn't melt even the hardest of hearts then there is something wrong with you. LOL. Just kidding.
Posted by: Mark | November 19, 2010 9:43 AM
I'm so glad I saw this at midnight last night at the Senator. It was a thrilling and communal experience.
Posted by: Sarah | November 19, 2010 12:08 PM
Sarah, thanks for your comment. I'm not up for anything at midnight anymore, but we will be giving the reopened Senator our patronage. For those who haven't been following along, restorations and improvements are in progress, but the theater is open for business in the meantime. They hope to add a smaller screen plus a small restaurant eventually. They have our enthusiastic support.
Posted by: Dahlink | November 20, 2010 7:55 AM
I didn't regret my decision to go with my friends to watch this movie. I felt it was the first Harry Potter movie that I'm watching. It gives me the same feeling as before.
Posted by: Nicola | November 23, 2010 11:08 AM