'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1'

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1' (PG-13) (3 1/2 stars)

Writer: Steve Kloves based on book by JK Rowling
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy, Richard Griffiths, Julie Walters, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Peter Mullan, Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Rhys Ifans, Robbie Coltrane

The Harry Potter movies have grown up with greatness and wonderful imagination. These are movies adapted from very complicated and great books and the later Potter films are better than the first movies and that is a great sign. The lead actors are also getting better with each film and they have gone from rough to polished and that is important. The movies are getting darker and the material here is adult stuff and you need young, adult actors who are effective. I don't have to go into the plot of the latest Potter movie because those of you reading this have read the books. I must say this though "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the second best Potter movie next to Azakhban and I can't wait till Part 2. I have to admit I have only read the last book but concerning the movies this is easily one of the strongest.

I love how the great writer Steve Kloves (Fabulous Baker Boys) has adapted the Deathly Hallows book so far for this first part. I also love how the direction has gotten more assured and the movies have gotten darker. David Yates does a great job setting a dark tone with a number of very effective scenes. I think the first two movies are fine but easily the weakest movies of the whole series. I am sorry but director Chris Columbus is not a very good action/fantasy director and he is not that good with actors. The first movie was awe inspiring mostly because the effects and design were outstanding and the first book came to glorious life. The thing is that first movie should be great and it isn't because the later films are more compelling. I love that this movie is not afraid to be dark and handle pretty scary and deep material without dumbing it down and making it safe. There is also a great cast of wonderful, veteran actors and Radcliffe, Watson and Grint show they are ready for more challenging roles.

There are three scenes that I love so much in this movie that are four of the best scenes out of any Potter film. The first one comes at the start as Harry's friends and loved ones get transformed into several Harry's so that Voldemort can't find the real Harry. The scene is clever, the effects flawless and the flying scenes thrilling. The second scene is beautiful, haunting and a little scary as Harry visits his parent's grave. The light snow falling, the beautiful cinematography and Harry wishing Hermione a Merry Christmas is touching. Then when they both go inside a house and something surprising happens it is scary and effective. The third scene is written just for the movie and I loved it. Harry and Hermione are in a vulnerable state and a song is playing on the radio. Harry takes Hermione by the hand and starts to dance with her. The scene is great because it shows how close these characters are to each other and that they are becoming adults whether they like it or not. The fourth scene is a strikingly beautiful and haunting animated scene as Hermione explains the story of the Deathly Hallows. This is a perfect way to describe the story without losing us.

So the latest Potter movie has great acting, a great cast, great direction and breathtaking photography. The movie series has grown up, the effects are scarier and greater and the movie leaves you wanting more. The movie ends well with an effective scene for setting up a cliffhanger and it leaves us begging for more. There are certain lulls in this movie but it is more exciting than the last two movies. This movie did two things that I think make it a great movie. One is it makes me want to go back and have a Harry Potter movie marathon so I can see this series grow up again. The second thing the movie does is get me really excited for Part 2 and I can't wait.