Released: 2010
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes.
The infamous wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns in the seventh instalment of one of the most successful film franchises ever made. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the screen adaption of the first half of the seventh book in the Harry Potter series.
In this jnstaent we follow Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) as they continue the work of the befallen Professor Dumbledore to find the horcuxes and bring about the fall of the evil Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).
The film is undeniably dark which mirrors the books that also changed tone as they developed. Since taking over the helm as Director on The Order of the Phoenix David Yates has utilised an identifiable style to portray this progressing darkness. The lighting and visual styling use a visible darkness and varying degrees of blues, blacks, greys woth an almost watered down feel to give the films an almost Tim Burton feel.
The film itself feels more mature than previous outings. Although the actors themselves have grown up, the screenwriting, script and production seem to have matured into a film that is no longer a fun children's film but a more serious drama.
The downside to this film is the slow pace. It is a distinct change from the Half Blood Prince and although the film explores topics such as friendship and love much as the other films do there is much less action and the pace is much slower. The point of the film is to set the audience up for the final instalment however in that it can bring with it a lack of excitement that we have come to expect from these films.
As a film this is the weakest link in terms of action and pace but the film is still enjoyable and offers the usual imagination and visual wizardry that viewers have come to love. The film recognises that it has an adult fan base and this is evident in the production, and works well. Potter fans will enjoy the film and will be left eager for part 2