Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, the first of two films based on the final book of the Harry Potter series, was released today in cinemas throughout Australia, one day prior to the film opening across Europe and North America. The film marks the beginning of the end for a film series that has been ten years in the making.

The film opens with a stern faced Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy), newly appointed Ministry of Magic, in the atrium of the Ministry Headquarters addressing his ministry and the press with the words (which are heard in one of the theatrical trailers for the film), “These are dark times, there is no denying”.

Faced for the first time without Dumbledore’s presence, with the world outside Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) have to grow up fast. They have a task that they need to complete in order to defeat the persistent Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and this film is primarily about finding ways to complete that task.

For those who are not familiar with the entire story which is contained within the novels written by JK Rowling, there may be a few instances (such as the recurring presence of a mirror shard) where you feel like you may have missed a detail, which you have not, however have faith that these should be explained in the next film installment.

The film itself is set apart from the others in the series because the world in which it is set had changed. Voldemort is a real threat, he is out there in the real world and everyone in the wizarding community is aware of this fact, making the film set in a much darker world.

Overall the film is much more tense than others in the series, the three main characters don’t have an opportunity to really let down there guard, nor do they have the same adult guidance that was there to provide clues and helping hand in the other films. The tension plays an important part in the character’s development and also sees disputes arise, even between the best of friends. It is broken only a few times throughout the film, with bits of humor to ease tense moments.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THE BOOKS

For those who have read the books and felt that the sixth movie left out and altered some key details, this film will most likely leave you feeling the same way (but I think it won’t leave you as shocked as what the orchestration of Dumbledore’s death scene would have). There are a number of details which were in the book which have been altered for the film whereas there are some others with have been completely removed. However, there are some moments which have been added which in some instances balance out the alterations.You also need to keep in mind that the books allow you to see much more of the picture, for example, how Harry is feeling at a particular moment, which unfortunately the confines of a film do not allow as much.

This is not to say at all that the film will leave you disappointed. On the contrary, I think it leaves you with a sense of wanting more, a curiosity that will lead you keen to know  how everything will piece together in the final film links details or how conclusions are drawn given some of the exclusions and alterations within the film cannon. This film is quite possibly the best of the series thus far.

THE BREAKING POINT

For those of you interested in where to film breaks in terms of the novel, I’ll say this. The film ends with death and the taking of a wand, however not necessarily at the same time, in immediate succession or related events, however then again that may well be the case. Now given that those of you who have read the book know that there is a great number of deaths and number of wands taken throughout the course of the story, this does not give a terrible amount away. In fact it probably only gives something away to those who have not read the novels, however they will not know what.

FINAL SCORE

The film encompasses a beautiful soundtrack to some of the series’ most compelling and heart wrenching moments thus far. Despite some of the differences the film has with the books, the film itself is excellent, and you do not leave the cinema feeling like you’ve only watched half a movie. I give it four stars, only because I know the next film installment will have to be better, given how much of the story is still yet to happen. I will be seeing it again, (and again and again) no doubt.