SCI FI PI

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy
Rated M
Released Nov 18

Deathly Hallows should be rated 'N' for Nightmares, rather than 'M'. This is more Saving Private Potter than anything, a harrowing adventure with evil and danger at every turn. If you're a Potter fan, and have grown up with the story, and are grown up, then it's perfect entertainment. If you're not, then it is a series of events with a large group of characters that you know nothing about and have no investment in, and will leave you somewhat bemused and bewildered, albeit entertained by some exciting visuals and intriguing storylines.

The story picks up after the events of the Half Blood Prince. Dumbledore is still dead, Snape is still evil, and Voldemort and his cohorts only grow more powerful. The death-eaters want to kill Harry Potter, and Harry wants to find the horcruxes that will lead to the death of Voldemort. It's the endgame, and the stakes have never been higher.





First up - this is definitely NOT for the kids who enjoyed Philosopher's Stone. The stakes, after almost a decade of films, are higher. Our head protagonist, Voldemort, has finally come into his own - he might be thwarted in his attempts to murder Harry Potter these days, but certainly he and his followers now seem far too powerful to be easily defeated. From the opening scene, the film's darker side is no longer candy-coated in lush, 'chocolate box' visuals. The film looks dark, and is dark. Fight and action sequences are edited in a rush of visuals, and blood, death and maiming are now part of the show.

If you have a fear of snakes, you will have nightmares.

That said, there are still throwbacks to the more enjoyable, lighter-hearted themes from the early films. Hermione and Ron's clueless non-romance flitters about once more, although Ron's fears about this subject are in fact brought out in this film. It's an adult approach to the previous just-for-laughs theme that is an indicator of the entire Harry Potter world in Deathly Hallows.

The film is the first half of a two-parter, and such gives full reign to moments that might ordinarily be excised from a shorter story. You have characters in contemplation, moments of conversation, and story beats that are there only to satisfy the hardcore Potter fans. Whilst the action is fast and furious, it is interspersed with some soul-searching scenes that may weary the muggles among us.

As the first half of the final chapter, the film also does not include a finale worthy of the name. It is closer to say, the first half of a season of television, ending up in a decent, if not world-shattering cliffhanger.

The finale of Part 2, Harry Potter fans will tell you, is worth the wait, and the wade through the dense story of Part 1.

Part 1 does have some highlights that stay with you. The fable of the Deathly Hallows is told in a animated shadow puppet segment, which might sound lame on the outset, but is a perfect marriage of Potter lore and classic fable. It's a deeply satisfying moment that fills in a crucial plot point and tells a great story in and of itself. There's a 'big' death that hits hard, and we're introduced the inner workings of the Ministry of Magic.

The film does not stand by itself. You'll need to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (at least) to have an idea of what's going on, and you'll need to see Deathly Hallows Part 2 for a satisfying conclusion. If you do, we're pretty sure you'll get one.