Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

So I am one of those Harry Potter fans that has read all of the books several times and always attends the midnight premieres of the films. So, naturally I was very excited about the recent release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 which was released on November 19, 2010.

I have to say that this was one of the best films out of the franchise. I felt that it followed the book more closely than any of the other films. This was a plus side. However, I found the film very dark and somewhat depressing. It ends on a terrible note. (The death of our favorite elf Dobby and the success of Voldemort stealing the all-powerful Elder Wand.)

I think the worse scene in the entire movie that I think was unnecessary was the first scene where the Minister of Magic is giving a press release. I almost laughed because I thought it was the stupidest way to begin the film and I felt like the creators of the film were trying a little too hard. However, that scene passed by quickly enough and then we have shots of Harry, Hermione, and Ron preparing for their journey to destroy the fragments of Lord Voldemort's soul, the Horcruxes. Now, the scene which I thought was really well done and very heart wrenching was when Hermione had to wipe her parents memory. I found this very sad and I still think it was one of the most horrible things that happened in the film.

The film was very dark in general and I found that parts of it were really cruel. Despite the fact that I knew what was going to happened didn't help matters since it's a whole different ballgame when you are actually viewing Lord Voldemort murdering rather than just picturing it in your imagination.

I did enjoy the humor that was in the film and found it delightful. I'm really glad they added some because it helped ease some of the tension. I was especially touched when Harry started dancing with the depressed Hermione. This was a highlight of the movie for me because it really showed how much pain and suffering they were having and how just a little moment of happiness can help. (And the fact that sometimes we need something to shake us and remind us of the joy of friends and family and what we are fighting for.)

If I could change one thing about this film it's that they would have shown the tombstone that was created for Dobby. It stated something along the lines of "Here lies Dobby, a free elf." However, I did think that the statement Dobby made to Bellatrix before disapperating was awesome. It was one of the triumphs of the film and it made the death of the elf a little more tolerable for me. The role of Dobby in this film was great and it really shows you the kind of sacrifice that a great friend will do for you.

I was not surprise at all to find out that the newest installment of the Potter movies broke all the previous records. It was a great movie and put together very professionally and in a way that the fans would really enjoy it. I hope that you will take the time to go see it. Harry Potter has done a lot for this world and J.K. Rowling should receive top honors for getting children and adults more interested in reading.

The message of love and sacrifice is one that makes Harry Potter a classic.

And now I anxiously await the release of Part 2 which is due in theaters July 15, 2011.