Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
The boy wizard has become an adult when a large series of feature films will draw to a close. Before knowing how everything will end up in the first part of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, the final chapter is also one of the best episodes of the lot.
The seventh and final year will be very special for Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint). Instead of returning to Hogwarts to complete their education, they spend their time to escape the clutches of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his men – and women – labor. The supers should not despair however, for special items would defeat their nemesis. But where are they, and what prices the three friends are ready to pay to get them back?
In the history of cinema, it is difficult to find seven volumes of which are related as much quality as the “Harry Potter”. Doubtless there were six “Star Wars” George Lucas (and in another vein the “Decalogue”) … and not bad at all. No matter where you look (“Alien”, “Halloween”, “Police Academy”, etc..). There are always disappointments. While not perfect, these adaptations of popular novels by JK Rowling has always taken the road, with a peak (3,E test) and lows (the 4th). Yet it was the first time a director was the ship more than two productions. After surprising with the 5th effort and disappointed with the 6th, David Yates is returning for the final diptych.
This is where his work is surprising. Instead of offering more in terms of fighting, romance, rhetoric and music in the carpet (like a “Lord of the Rings”), “The Deathly Hallows: Part I” plays map of sobriety. The complex story is simplified without being denatured, accumulating pieces of bravery but also moments of introspection and silence. The balance is usually placed between the action, emotion and adventure, all of which are punctuated by touches of childlike humor are not always developed. Especially in a world that has never been so black and opaque. Taking a few risks without putting the legion of fans back, the filmmaker breaks with the past by such trust to the melodies of Alexander Desplat which surprise positively.
Approaching the spirit of “road movie” with its many events, the story will not win points for originality. There are still a bit much of “Star Wars”, “The Matrix” and even the Bible in these spectacular adventures, and is still a bit sad to see the hero save situations continuously instead of face (thanks a magic power to an ally who appears unexpectedly), several sequences are breathtaking. This is the case with this explanation of the various relics of death by these great cartoons shadow.
Of course there will always be one or two fans will be disappointed shortcuts taken. If there are indeed some detours that are not always well explained, the whole is pretty good following, even by those who have never read the original writings. Add to that a more than satisfactory, an enviable pace, thrills and care given to the psychology of characters and you get an amazing entertainment that fits certainly among the top three films in the series.
