Rating of
3.5/4
Harry Potter Reaches Hallowed Ground
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/21/10
As soon as this movie opens, you know you're dealing with a different Harry Potter film. Hermione literally erases her existence from her parents. Harry watches as his godparents the Dursley family packs up the entire house and leaves him alone and he wistfully opens the small cupboard under the stairs where he spent his youth before finding out he was the most important person in the magical world. Long gone are the days of Quiddich and Yule Balls - things are deathly serious now.
Out of all the films, this one is by far the most emotionally challenging, the most dramatic and the most intense. The actors have grown with their roles and they really shine here. They manage to bring back plenty of the actors from the previous series, along with introducing a few more into the mix, but by and large this film is all about Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Hogwarts is out of the picture - the three are on their own and searching for clues to the horcuxes and later the Deathly Hallows.
David Yates manages to include some brief moments of levity amongst the rather gloomy circumstances. Whether it be a multitude of people suddenly transforming into Harry Potter or an impromptu dance to lighten the mood, there are a few moments that make you smile. But there are far many more to make you shocked or tear up.
The Ministry of Magic has been infiltrated by the dark lord's deatheaters. MIght is Magic is the new proclamation - muggles are out and half-bloods are being rounded up. It's a none-too-thinly veiled mirror of the Aryan supremacy tact the Nazi party used and a sense of dread prevails in any scene that takes place there.
Likewise, this film doesn't shy away from the danger of the rise of the dark lord. Characters die - off screen and on - and for once you get a real sense that no one is safe. Not when the Hogwarts Express can be boarded by dark wizards or a teacher can be tortured and executed.
There is also enough action to keep things flowing - including a battle in the skies, another in a coffee shop and Ron's heroic moment confronting his worst fears - while I've heard the bulk of the action is being saved for the second part, there is enough here to keep things interesting while not sacrificing any emotion.
Long-time fans that have followed the series will be pleased with this film, but even more important while I admit enjoying the previous films, this is the one I would be more inclined to recommend than any other one. Harry Potter has finally come into his own and I can't wait to see how they wrap things up in part 2.
