Cash in on the wave before it finally fizzles out. JK Rowling won’t write an eighth Potter book, so Warner Bros. were obviously out to max the frenzy before it’s all over.
Hence, the definitely risky ambition of filming Deathly Hallows , last of the book series, in two parts. Warner bosses and director David Yates have resorted to substantial detailing for the seventh and last adventure. They have filled out 146 minutes of Part 1, and Part 2 is still to come.
Going by Part 1, spreading Deathly Hallows over two films seems to have taken a toll on the pace. The narrative tends to literally crawl in parts.
The first hour or so is deadly enough, loaded with a brilliant, SFX- ridden action involving a zillion Harry Potter look- alikes, set to baffle evil Lord Voldemort’s army. The stunt works as a visual treat upto a point, when you realise despite all the detailing a vital explanation has been overlooked.
Harry and his band of look- alikes are out to wrest a Horcrux. Unless you have read the books or seen the past films, this one makes no attempt to explain what the Horcrux is.
Nine years, seven films and a $ 3 billion- plus bounty later, you can perhaps take a few chances, knowing well that the loyal fan brigade will anyway come to watch. On cue, the new film is darker and more intense — which is not a surprise given that each of the past three films have been darker than the last one. In this film, Hermione is tortured.
Voldemort, sinister enough, gets an equally sinister aide. People are routinely maimed and murdered. And there are enough snakes thrown into the narrative to make the little ones flinch.
The series, just like its heroes, has grown up. It is no longer about regaling kids. Harry and Hermione in fact seal that bit with an intimate kiss in this film.
Potter fans hooked to the books know the story, of course. Voldemort, more powerful than ever, now controls Ministry of Magic. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have to locate all the Horcruxes. In essence, this film ends at a point that would have served as interval if Deathly Hallows were filmed as one film.
The twist that keeps interest alive in this part-finalé is the death of two vital characters. It sets the tone of personal revenge for Harry. Technically, the film is flawless.
And the three leads play out their by- now familiar roles with ease. But the backbone of Deathly Hallows is its prop cast — mostly handpicked from the British film and stage industry. Watching Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson or Julie Walters is pure pleasure.
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