**POSSIBLE SPOILERS
DALLAS, Nov 20, 2010 / FW/ — Though I’m a die-hard Harry Potter’s fan, I waited till Saturday to see “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows.” Armed with popcorn and soda, I took my rightful place in the long line for the afternoon matinee.
Everything about it has been “normal” for a first weekend of a Harry Potter film – a deluge of fans from all ages and a highly anticipatory crowd. But, there was one thing that I was not expecting – tears! Because on the first three minutes of the film I found myself crying!
Hermione had turned 17 and in the wizarding world, she was already an adult. The Wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them.
In her need to protect her parents, Hermione cast a spell on them erasing their memory of her. On screen, the forget spell was made vivid with the family photos being shown that Hermione was slowly being erased from them.
That scene alone was enough for me to cry and worth the $14 for the movie and the $14 for the popcorn and soda!
After years of following Harry Potter, it is hard to believe that this is the penultimate movie. Harry, Hermione and Ron are like my friends that I have known since childhood. After all, they were only 11 when the whole world fell in love with them.
At “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows”, the 11-year-olds were totally gone. They might be “17” in the movie, but in real life, they were about 19 when they were filming, making them adults even in our world.
Hence, interspersed in the movie is a more adult theme; wherein David Yates the Director deftly included as part of a nightmare.
Once you see this movie, you will stop seeing Harry, Hermione and Ron as children. And somehow, that also made the movie heartbreaking. The characters have grown up, same as the actors who portrayed them.
Personally, I do not compare Harry Potter movies against each other. But I will go against my own tradition and say that Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallow is the best one among the lot though my favorite still remains the first installment because that was when I fell in love with Harry, Hermione and Ron!
[MARI DAVIS]
Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
I really want to see this movie. I’ve read all the books and can’t wait. I just haven’t had the time lately.