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Few movie previews have given me sheer chills of anticipation the

way “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” did. So, needless to

say, my bar was set incredibly high walking into part one of this

epic two part finale. 

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Yet David Yates’ meticulous direction leaves viewers emotionally

and visually enraptured until the last nail-biting cliff

hanger.

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Like many of the Potter films, key parts of the film were rushed,

including the beginning. Yates speeds through the introduction of

the movie with an eagle-eye montage of Harry, Ron and Hermione

setting their affairs in order. 

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Viewers are prepped for coming events with quick shots of a

ministry takeover, wizards in hiding and a murder within the first

10 minutes. 

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It is clear this film is not going to be a campy romp with Harry

and the gang. Instead, Yates pulls on the heavy desperation that

litters the pages of “Deathly Hallows” and uses it as inspiration

for the first in his two-part film.

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The escape from the Dursley’s and the wedding are rushed as Yates

condenses it down to two quick shots of action and one quick shot

of dancing before he jumps right into the trio on the

run.

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When it comes to Yates’ depiction of the three’s journey through

the wilderness of Great Britain, nothing is rushed. Every emotion

and feeling is intensified. 

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The feeling can be most felt as Harry, Ron and Hermione stand in

the dank and dark halls of Grimmauld Place. 

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Hermione utters the fateful line, “We’re alone.” While this line is

accurate of their current situation, it also bodes true of each

character. 

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Yates so embodies their loneliness that viewers find themselves

feeling  their despair. Yates intensifies this with dark and bare

backdrops, far away cinematography, very little orchestration and

minor discussion. 

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The first half of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is a slog

through very little action and heavy speculation, and Yates does a

beautiful job of taking this material and turning it into something

beautiful.  

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However, for a book that is light on action, any action present

should have been taken advantage of, but just like “Harry Potter

and the Half Blood Prince,” action sequences are rushed and

unfulfilling. From the battle with death eaters as Harry escapes to

the capture at the Malfoy Manor, I was left wanting

more. 

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Even Hermione’s torture is edited down until it is a mere cut on

the arm. Yet the unforgettable seen with Dobby makes up for any

rush. 

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I left the movie with tears streaming down my face as did the

majority of my fellow moviegoers.

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This film was an emotional roller coaster beautifully filmed and

edited. 

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Even those who are Potter virgins could enjoy the film for its

sheer art and story. And those that have read the books will

appreciate this film for its honesty. 

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