I got to see the film Saturday morning at an advance screening.
I can't say too much now without heavy use of spoiler text, but I can say without reservation that is the absolute best of the Potter films. I am DYING to see Part 2 now. When the film cut to the credits, the entire preview audience let out an exasperated "NO!" because we just wanted it to keep going.
The previous movies have never been able to be both a successful adaptation of the source material and a good movie on its own merits. (I thought Half-Blood Prince was neither.) Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 made me think that the last three books should have gotten the two-film treatment. Without the rushed pacing, everything just works.
Of course, some of the book's problems (i.e. a lot of sitting around in the woods waiting to figure stuff out) are also the film's problems, but they're pretty forgivable in context. Also, the film had to jump through a couple hoops early on to make up for a few things and characters left out of previous films that end up being important to Deathly Hallows, but it was all handled relatively smoothly.
It's a fitting farewell to both the film series and the book series.
I gave up on the movies after Azkiban because they kept leaving out major plot details from the books (or modifying them) for no purpose (not even pacing reasons).
Plus; I wasn't all that impressed with Deathly Hallows as a book- I thought it dragged on (and on, and on...) and I thought the ending was very anti-climactic.
I will say this though- the TV spots I've seen for DH make it seem like the scariest and most mature of the movie adaptations thus far.
I still need to see Half-Blood Prince, but I look forward to seeing the first scene of Hallows in hopes it conveys the cold malice of the book's first scene. That told me that this installment would be a true departure from what came before.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt TrackerI still need to see Half-Blood Prince, but I look forward to seeing the first scene of Hallows in hopes it conveys the cold malice of the book's first scene. That told me that this installment would be a true departure from what came before.
In response to your hope:
Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read
While it is not the film's actual first scene, that scene does make it into the film, with very little altered from the book version.
I'm ready to see this film, and just got tickets for the 12:03 showing at my local theater. And yes it is 12:03, because the 12:01 and 12:02 shows are already sold out. Now I'm jealous that those one and two minute people get to finish the film before I do :-)
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Originally posted by SchippeWreckI am DYING to see Part 2 now. When the film cut to the credits, the entire preview audience let out an exasperated "NO!" because we just wanted it to keep going.
We had the same reaction when I watched it last night...well, that and I was laughing because someone sitting behind us was in tears. It also got a round of applause from the audience, which I felt was really weird. I can see applauding to an actual host, but to a screen of credits, seems a little odd. 7 months until the finale. I can't wait.
Saw just an hour ago. It was better then Half-Blood by a mile. Its damn depressing from the beginning to the end. There were also people crying at the end in the theater, no round of applause more like "That was it." The only bad part is the shaky cam garbage in the finale chase through the woods. It was not necessary and took me out the film for awhile. Everything else was done very well. I do hope the rumors about a character driven finale instead of the action piece prove to be false. This series needs a kick ass finale.
Originally posted by OliverWhere in the book does the first movie end?
For the trio, the movie ends with the escape from Malfoy Manor and subsequent death of Dobby. For Voldemort, it ends with him taking the perceived Elder Wand from the grave of Dumbledore.
Speaking of that ending, I am actually quite surprised they ended the film on such a dour note, which could just turn some casual fans off (as Lotjx alluded to). You shouldn't usually use the saddest part of the movie as your hook to get people to watch DHp2. Even with LOTR, you got some catharsis. But here, it was just the worst moment with Harry (Dobby) and the best moment (at the time) for Voldemort. They seriously didn't have time even for Harry or anyone to make a big speech about how they have to go on, for Dobby's sake or anything.
All that being said, the crowd I saw the show with did indeed cheer at the end of the movie. This can be somewhat attributed to it being a hardcore audience at 12 midnight, with plenty of teenage girls having chosen to dress up as Hogwarts students. Then again, they cheered like mad when Ron Weasley returned to help Harry out, and I didn't understand that because most of this crowd knew it was coming anyways.
The other silly part of the movie for me was the dancing, even moreso because the song that was playing was dreadful. How can anyone dance to that?
As for the rest of the movie, as an adult, I loved the more adult nature of the movie, so for that reason and the acting, I would put it above every movie but 5. Rupert Grint really has come into his own, and his work in 6 and 7 was miles above what he did in the previous films (for proof, just contrast Rupert's acting angry in GoF compared to DHp1).
I loved the representation of Malfoy Manor and all of Godric's Hollow. It was beautifully shot and felt like what I imagined it would look like. The finale with Dobby was heartbreakingly well done.
Overall, this was a fantastic and dark movie, and I'm ready for July.
(edited by Torchslasher on 21.11.10 1657) "Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
I found this really interesting, especially since I find myself in the exact same boat as Damon Lindelof regarding sorting through my mixed reactions to Deathly Hallows, Part 1. (But I loved his Lost finale.)
I read his "review" over the weekend. Best laugh I've had in a while. Sure, let's squeeze all the events of this film into 30 minutes and rob it of all emotion! Then you'd have Goblet of Fire all over again, a film that felt like your fast forward button was stuck.
And the "simple math" thing about the horcruxes was just stupid.
I took my 12 & 10 year fanatic daughters and they loved it. They thought the movie ended in just right spot. They pointed out all of the inaccuracies for me 9despite the fact I had read the books too). They are already begging for the midnight show this coming summer for part 2.
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