Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) by Adam S — 24 Jun 2013

Probably the worst of the franchise, the penultimate episode of popular Harry Potter series passes without much activity or engagement.

This is due to the filmmakers decision to split the 7th book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" into two films. For the most part, I applaud this - it fixed the main problems I had with "Goblet of Fire", "Order of the Phoenix" and "Half-Blood Prince", pacing. And it set things up for a remarkably exciting and touching finale in Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows.

However, it also leads us to a 2 and a half hour movie of 3 teenagers sitting in a tent, for the most part. The cast, once again, is spectacular, and includes frontrunners Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson with series regulars Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Bonnie Wright, Julie Walters, David Thewlis and Imelda Staunton, while Bill Nighy and Rhys Ifans join the cast.

But they are mainly wasted on cameos, and one of the books more potent scenes - where Harry farewells the Dursleys and manages some affection from Petunia and Dudley, is brushed over to make room for Nighy's Minister of Magic's showboating.

Just a dull prelude which had to be made.