The Boy Who Lived, and his awesome friends

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1:

3.5 burning bats of out 4

The third Potter book and film had always been my favorites in the series. After seeing part 1 last night though I may  have a new favorite. The opening scene of Bill Nighy's character's chilling speech to the wizard community and the chilling scene with Hermoine and her family set the one for not only the darkest, but deepest Potter film yet.

I, like many fans of the series, felt that Harry himself had a horseshoe stuck up his ass. I think the same can be said about Daniel Radcliffe. I am not in love with him as an actor, as he still struggles with really dramatic scenes. I mean he's been doing them since he was about 10, he should have it down. Also he desperately needed to shave during the film (the live in a tent bigger then my room). I think though that he may be just playing the part well, or he is just surrounded by such a good cast. This film had so many characters that I who have read all the books, had trouble remembering all of them. They pop up and then disappear too often. But, Part 1 centers on the coming of age of Harry, Hermoine and Ron, and because of this focus, the film succeeds, largely to Rupert Grint, who plays Ron.

It's early and may be a stretch, but I believe Grint deserves a best supporting actor nomination (I also believe he will be the most successful of the three). He not only plays Ron spot on, but also makes him more real than the books did. The way he portrays the jealousies Ron feels about being thought of as second to Harry, but also the doubt that creeps into him about Hermoine's true feelings for him were perfect. His humor is natural and dead on, and so are his interactions with Hermoine.

The choice to break up the final book into two films was necessary. I felt there was too much missing from the beginning in this film (Mad eye moody scene, c'mon!), but luckily it was replaced by Harry and Hermoines being bummed out, and sitting under trees or in brilliant back drops. The cinematography was great, especially contrasting the sometimes dizzing scenes in London. When Wizards transport (i know thats not the right word) does it have to make my head hurt? It has happened in the last few films, the bodies twisting into a vortex. Why can't they just puff, disappear?

Oh, and it was great to see Emma Watson on the big screen for a good hour and a half, and she plays Hermoine perfectly. She's worth the price of admission, but her on screen boyfriend steals the show.