Hey FOOLS! Last night I got to go to a media screening of the latest Harry Potter which was exciting but the more exciting part was the fact that it was shown in IMAX and IMAX 3D for the first 15 minutes. Before I start let me say that Harry Potter is extremely popular in the biggeoff house hold. My wife has read the books so many times it is scary and I took her along to watch with me because if anyone was going to be judgmental of the 6th installment to the Potter-mania it would be her. I also have to warn you there are going to be a few spoilers in this one because if you've read the book you'll know why but I'll give you warning. This is also the second last book of the series so this is a pretty vital film to make.
The plot is Harry returns to Hogwarts in a time where Death Eaters are running rampart through both the magic and the muggle world. As a result Hogwarts has become impenetrable leaving Voldermort with no option but to recruit Malfoy into working for him from the inside. As Malfoy tries to anonymously harm Dumbledore Harry is asked by Dumbledore to befriend a new teacher in order to uncover a secret that will help stop Voldermort. I haven't read the book since it was released so I'm a bit hazy on some pieces but overall the film was really close to the book (that I remember), my wife also agreed to this so it must pretty close. Obviously they can't have everything in there but the best and most important bits are there.
It's crazy to think we've watched these kids grow up on screen and I think some of them we'll be watching for a long time. Rupert Grint does his usual Ron Weasley thing looking shocked, providing comic relief and saying "Bloody Hell Harry" whenever something good happens, he's got to be pretty happy with this story as he has a love interest/stalker in this story and gets a lot of make out scenes. Daniel Radcliffe does well as Harry, his friendship with Hermoine progresses as best friends and he is the shoulder to cry on as Hermoine tries to tell Ron her feelings about him, the stand out scene that stood out for him
<START SPOILER> is where Harry is forced to make Dumbledore drink the potion so he can get the Horcrux. Before drinking the potion Dumbledore tells Harry that even if he begs Harry must force him to finish it all. <END SPOILER>
But there is no doubt that the talent out of the three is Emma Watson, she shows a range of emotions and never once looks like she's trying to show them. I think when Potter-mania clears Watson will be the one showing her acting strengths. She's possibly the new Kate Winslet, a big call I know but she is just so good and watchable.
One of the pleasures when watching a Potter film is the supporting cast. The actors that have been chosen to play teachers, family and friends are always great choices. In the past we've had Richard Harris as Dumbledore (for the first two films), Kenneth Branagh as the dim witted Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Gilderoy Lockheart who has earned a reputation as a great wizard by stealing other stories and publishing them in books as if they were his own stories and Gary Oldman as Harry's Godfather, Sirius Black. But don't forget the regulars Bonnie Wright and Mark Williams as the Weasley parents and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid. But I have to say my favourite is Sir Michael Gambon as the latest Dumbledore, Richard Harris managed to show the kindness and compassion that Dumbledore has in the novels and he is perfect for the Dumbledore Harry knows for the first two books but Michael Gambon manages to deliver a Dumbledore that is a little bit tougher, kind but strict and someone that you know is always calculating and a litle cheeky all at the same time without compromising the fatherly love he has for all his students. I have to say that out of everyone this is Gambon's film, his Dumbledore is going to be remembered for a long time <START THE BIGGEST SPOILER OF THE REVIEW> the scene where he is falling after being killed by Snape is nothing short of iconic. As soon as I saw it I thought this is Harry Potter being influenced by Lord of the Rings without ripping it off. Then as the students crowd around and raise their wands in honour of Dumbledore you could hear tears around the cinema as a character people have grown up with and loved is lost.<END OF ANOTHER SPOILER> OK so I've begun to get my ramble on so I’ll gently rein myself back in.
The pace of the film is perfect, there are moments of dialogue, there are moments of action, suspense and emotion but never once for the entire 2 and a half hours did I wonder what the time was I just kept waiting for next piece of the film to unfold and there are so many great pieces in this film. There's Quidditch and Ron's trial for the team and I've got to say that the game of Quidditch shown is far more brutal than we've seen before and I couldn't help thinking that this is how the game would really be played a gritty battle to scrap for points below as the Seekers try to catch the Snitch at a break neck speed. There is Harry and Dumbedore’s search for the Horcrux and their terrifying escape from the island inside the cave. The are moments of random joy when ever Luna Lovegood is on the screen with one of my favourite characters. Once again rambling is so close.
So how does it compare to the other films? I spent the entire film saying to myself "Don't get carried away" but honestly this is the best Potter yet it really does have everything in it and it finishes leaving you hanging for the next film. I'll make a bold bold claim, the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, will give The Dark Knight a run for its money in the box office stakes. I really can't wait to see this film again it will be tough to top which makes me even more excited to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I after seeing leaving the cinema it was the first time that I felt comfortable knowing that David Yates was in charge of helming the last two films. Why are you still reading this? You should stop reading and go to the cinema now!