Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 (2010)

[Ryan Scott]

I'm dubbing this HP7.1. I hated the sixth movie so much and read a scathing review of HP7.1 in Newsweek, so I wasn't expecting much.

I've not read the books; I have seen all the previous films. This one wasn't bad. The acting was great and I thought the direction helped to create the proper atmosphere. The story moved along well and dealt with appropriate themes. It's no longer a movie series for kids, but that's been coming as the characters age.

One giant plot hole near the end, but in the grand scheme of things it was a much better film than I expected. Probably the best thus far; it actually has me interested in seeing the final chapter.

[Jen Blackburn]

We saw it this morning (my husband, 15 year old son and I.) We all loved it. There are quite a few things left out from the book that I was disappointed in not seeing, but all in all, it followed pretty well. And considering it was already almost 2 1/2 hours long, I don't know what ELSE they might have cut out!

What did you think was the plot hole at the end? (and if you haven't read the books, how do you know it's a plot hole?)

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Ryan, please share your plot hole I am thoroughly interested.
I thought it was the best movie yet (and better than the last two movies combined).
I am happy with where they ended (coming into the movie knowing they cut the book in half had me wondering exactly where in the plot they would end the first movie). I think that was a fairly good place.
I am really happy with how they handled several things and like that they made illusions to things in the book which I am sure they left out for pacing reasons.

[Ryan Scott]

They get kidnapped near the end of the movie. After all of the powerful magical people they seem to be able to fight and the amazing feats they pull off, a roving band of wizard bandits has them running scared and captured so easily? It just doesn't fit with the world they've created around the characters.

To me that was a big hole in the plot. They obviously needed to get them captured; I just think there could have been a more consistent and believable way to do it. Ultimately it's not too bad because the rest of the movie flows so well and given the massive context for the whole saga.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

It is pretty close to how it happened in the book actually. And Rowling has a way of "punking" her characters they never get caught due to error or huberous, or because the enemy is *just that smart* but always by chance.
She does this with death as well for the most part people die in meaningless unsatifying ways (see Black, Cedric, and Dumbledore for examples). I guess I don't see it as a "plot hole" so much as Rowlings way. I am still trying to figure out why she consistently does things this way.

[Ryan Scott]

It is pretty close to how it happened in the book actually. And Rowling has a way of "punking" her characters they never get caught due to error or huberous, or because the enemy is *just that smart* but always by chance.
She does this with death as well for the most part people die in meaningless unsatifying ways (see Black, Cedric, and Dumbledore for examples). I guess I don't see it as a "plot hole" so much as Rowlings way. I am still trying to figure out why she consistently does things this way.

This is the big problem with movies made from books. I had some trouble with this seeing Voyage of the Dawn Treader the other night. They're really not making the books into movies; they're making movies from books. It's also why I try to watch the movies first. The books are almost always better.

I've viewed these Harry Potter films for themselves and not for their representation of the books. They began as good children's movies. I thought #4 was particularly strong and that #5 was the first "real" movie. The sixth, which tons of book fans loved, I thought was horrendously bad, because it had no story. It relied (or so I'm told) entirely on people who had read the book to fill in the details, but it left moviegoers confused and upset.

This movie was exciting, had a solid story, and moved the whole saga along well with new and inventive plot elements. I mentioned this "plot hole" simply because it doesn't fit with the world they've created.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was a fine movie, especially taken on its own. I've had my trouble disconnecting it from the book, which really told a different kind of story (despite the similar plot elements).

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Having read the books (more times than I should admit), it is pretty hard for me to disconnect from the novels. Thus probably my inability to see that as inconsistent with the world which has been created.

I try to watch the movies with and "open mind" knowing that what makes a good book does not always make a good movie and try to evaluate whether the "changes" made between book and movie are made arbitrarily or to help make a better movie.
I have been very curious about how they would handle this book, esp since I heard they were splitting it up into two movies. I had no idea how they would make the first half of the book (known to me and my friends as Harry Potter and the extended camping trip) something that would be interesting to watch on film. I am quite impressed on how that translated onto the screen.
I was very happy with the movie over all, after hearing reviews I did wonder if it worked as well for those who had not actually read the book, it is good to know generally it worked well for you lot.

[Katelynn Scott]

I loved the movie, but I really love HP in general. I thought there was appropriate humor throughout given that the wizards at this point in the saga are living in extremely dark times and having to face horrible situations. I enjoyed the scene where everyone has to drink polyjuice potion to become Harry - I was curious how they would portray that. Also, I thought the final pairing of Dobby's death with Voldemort robbing Dumbledore's grave was appropriate juxtaposition and a nice starting point for the final movie. I'm going to see it again next week AND I'll get to be a school chaperone when a group of students go to see it in mid-December. I'm excited for a second and third time! ;o )

[Billy Cox]

I've not read the books; I have seen all the previous films. This one wasn't bad. The acting was great and I thought the direction helped to create the proper atmosphere. The story moved along well and dealt with appropriate themes. It's no longer a movie series for kids, but that's been coming as the characters age.

So it's a bit intense for the Dora the Explorer fan club, but the level of peril has been increasing since book 2, 'Chamber of Secrets'.

One giant plot hole near the end, but in the grand scheme of things it was a much better film than I expected. Probably the best thus far; it actually has me interested in seeing the final chapter.

It's not hard to believe that after eluding some pretty heavy bad guys and remaining hidden for months, they get pinched by some local nobodies.

I find it interesting that you are choosing to watch the movies only. Why would you do that to yourself?

[Amanda Hope]

Thanks for all the reviews! So the question is should I just wait to see it on DVD right before the second half comes out? That way I avoid the torture of waiting but my husband points out that then I won't be able to see it on the big screen.

Also, could someone tell me how/if they address the issue of Ariana's attack?

[Rich Schmidt]

I find it interesting that you are choosing to watch the movies only. Why would you do that to yourself?

It's also why I try to watch the movies first. The books are almost always better.

I've used that same approach at times in the past. It allows me to fully enjoy the movie and then fully enjoy the book, too. However, in this case, I'd already read the first HP novels before the movies started coming out, so I just kept reading them. The interesting thing now is that it's been so long since I read the books, I only remember certain plot points and scenes from the books. Most of it has faded from memory. So I'm not constantly comparing the movie experience to the book experience.

As for HP7 part 1... I honestly thought it was way too slow. I mean, I was never bored with it, and I was surprised when I checked the time and saw that we'd been watching for over 2 hours already... but part of my surprise was because it just felt like very little had happened in those two hours. I didn't remember that the first half of the book was an "extended camping trip." I'm sure it was necessary in order to set the appropriate mood and all that. But if I end up watching it on DVD before part 2 comes out, there are several stretches that I imagine I'll be fast-forwarding through.

[Rich Schmidt]

Also, could someone tell me how/if they address the issue of Ariana's attack?

Since I haven't read the books in a long time, I had to use Google to figure out what you're asking about... but it looks like this is something that will be dealt with in Part 2, perhaps. I don't remember it being mentioned in Part 1.

[Billy Cox]

I've used that same approach at times in the past. It allows me to fully enjoy the movie and then fully enjoy the book, too. However, in this case, I'd already read the first HP novels before the movies started coming out, so I just kept reading them. The interesting thing now is that it's been so long since I read the books, I only remember certain plot points and scenes from the books. Most of it has faded from memory. So I'm not constantly comparing the movie experience to the book experience.

I didn't get interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw the first movie. I read book 7 when it first came out and re-read it about a year ago, so it wasn't super-fresh in my memory, but overall I knew where the story was going next.

It's been long enough that I don't recall whose patronus led Harry to the sword, and I don't remember what is inside the golden snitch. I do remember most of the named characters who end up as casualties though.

The scene with Harry and Hermione dancing was brilliant, but I can't recall if that was in the book.

As for HP7 part 1... I honestly thought it was way too slow. I mean, I was never bored with it, and I was surprised when I checked the time and saw that we'd been watching for over 2 hours already... but part of my surprise was because it just felt like very little had happened in those two hours. I didn't remember that the first half of the book was an "extended camping trip." I'm sure it was necessary in order to set the appropriate mood and all that. But if I end up watching it on DVD before part 2 comes out, there are several stretches that I imagine I'll be fast-forwarding through.

When I was reading the book, I remember thinking that the extended camping trip section of the story would be highly abbreviated in the movie, but it felt just like the book in that regard. Some of the scenery was spectacular though.

[Billy Cox]

Thanks for all the reviews! So the question is should I just wait to see it on DVD right before the second half comes out? That way I avoid the torture of waiting but my husband points out that then I won't be able to see it on the big screen.

Also, could someone tell me how/if they address the issue of Ariana's attack?

This is one of those movies that is worth seeing on a big screen. The grandeur of some of the scenes is larger than life.

The story hasn't even mentioned Ariana and has merely suggested that Dumbledore had a checkered past. It seems that the story will have to develop that a bit or simply leave out the scene in Hogsmeade toward the end of the story.

[Mike Schutz]

I find it interesting that you are choosing to watch the movies only. Why would you do that to yourself?

I have done this as well. The movies were opportunities to do something with my kids/ then teens/ now young adults. They are not the genre of books I choose to read, nor are they the type of movies my wife and I would choose to watch ourselves. However, for the most part I have enjoyed the movies.

One question - Did others notice several themes and film techniques similar to LOTR?

[Billy Cox]

I have done this as well. The movies were opportunities to do something with my kids/ then teens/ now young adults. They are not the genre of books I choose to read, nor are they the type of movies my wife and I would choose to watch ourselves. However, for the most part I have enjoyed the movies.

One question - Did others notice several themes and film techniques similar to LOTR?

The most striking similarity between Harry Potter and LOTR is the defeat of evil prior to the story's beginning, gradual resurgence of that evil, and final defeat.

[Steve Malcolm]

It is pretty close to how it happened in the book actually. And Rowling has a way of "punking" her characters they never get caught due to error or huberous, or because the enemy is *just that smart* but always by chance.
She does this with death as well for the most part people die in meaningless unsatifying ways (see Black, Cedric, and Dumbledore for examples). I guess I don't see it as a "plot hole" so much as Rowlings way. I am still trying to figure out why she consistently does things this way.

I like this aproach to death because it seems fairly true to life. Death doesn't usually seem meaningful. I think this is actually great reading/watching the story from a Christian point of view. Death is the ultimate enemy, and, while God can bring good and meaningful things from the tragedy of death, death is a cosmic tragedy that cannot be anything but meaningless. This view of death makes the story work. Death is a random meaningless evil that is overcome by sacrificial love. I'm not saying the books are a direct allegory, but the understanding of death and the defeat of evil provides some really good imagery.

[Billy Cox]

It is pretty close to how it happened in the book actually. And Rowling has a way of "punking" her characters they never get caught due to error or huberous, or because the enemy is *just that smart* but always by chance.
She does this with death as well for the most part people die in meaningless unsatifying ways (see Black, Cedric, and Dumbledore for examples). I guess I don't see it as a "plot hole" so much as Rowlings way. I am still trying to figure out why she consistently does things this way.

I've been re-reading book 7 and at least in this book, the main characters are captured as a result of error. Harry inadvertently says the word 'Voldemort' even with knowledge that a taboo has been set on the word.

[Billy Cox]

They get kidnapped near the end of the movie. After all of the powerful magical people they seem to be able to fight and the amazing feats they pull off, a roving band of wizard bandits has them running scared and captured so easily? It just doesn't fit with the world they've created around the characters.

To me that was a big hole in the plot. They obviously needed to get them captured; I just think there could have been a more consistent and believable way to do it. Ultimately it's not too bad because the rest of the movie flows so well and given the massive context for the whole saga.

The book handles their capture a bit differently. Harry, Ron and Hermione are discussing next steps and Harry inadvertently says the word 'Voldemort', which gives away their location and disables their magical protections. Almost instantly a death eater is at the door of their tent...they are cornered, and there is no chase scene. Also, the death eater is a particularly menacing werewolf character from previous books, not just some no-name bad guy flunkies.

It's interesting to note the differences between the book and the movie(s). Usually the differences make the story more cinematic. Incidentally, the chase scene reminded me of a similar scene near the end of The Fellowship of the Ring.

[Billy Cox]

I'm dubbing this HP7.1. I hated the sixth movie so much and read a scathing review of HP7.1 in Newsweek, so I wasn't expecting much.

..

Probably the best thus far; it actually has me interested in seeing the final chapter.

I'm about 150 pages from finishing my re-read of book 7. Despite the fact that part one of the movie leaves off at the equivalent of page 500 in a 750 page book, the story kicks into high gear pretty quickly with scenes that are just begging for big screen treatment and eye-popping CGI.