Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, otherwise known as "Hp7" had its world premiere today in several countries preceding the wider release in the USA on November 19. Such was the case in Stockholm where a young usher dressed as Harry Potter ascended the stage to announce "the Swedish premiere of Hp7" and pass out t-shirts to three enthusiastic fans in the audience. Keep in mind that "three" is abundantly used for signification in this first part of the finale. Meanwhile several young people around the theater could be seen sporting Harry Potter forehead scars, cloaks and magic wands.
The response to Hp7 was clearly appreciative and there were some genuine moments of cinema magic but by and large Hp7 is not the cliff hanger I expected. There are long sections of the film set in nature that even if they are contemplative make us yearn for more. This is a film series that has always been full of enchanting scenes with decorative interiors sporting intricate wonders. Not so in Hp7. The art direction is toned down and travelogues of the UK replace the magic.
"These are dark times" says Magic Rufus Scrimgeour (Bill Nighy), and nothing could be farther from the truth today. The film opens on a board meeting of baddies including nose -less Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), stuck up Draco (Tom Felton) and his arrogant father Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs), daffy Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and sinister Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). Poor old Muggle studies professor Charity Burbage (Carolyn Pickles) hangs above them suspended in air as punishment for suggesting that there is no reason why Muggles and Wizards shouldn't breed. This kind of ethnic integration throws the Harry Potter world into a frenzy, another parallel to the times we live in. Harry Potter is going to die, so says the black cloaked meanies, and Voldemort will do the honors. Given the xenophobia of the "pure" magical community, it is no wonder that the skilled "half-breed" Hermione (Emma Watson) is not considered a more symbolic sacrifice.
Indeed, "muggles" (non-magical humans) and mudbloods like Hermione (muggle-born wizards) are being abducted and murdered. A list of endearing British names is read up. At the wedding of Bill Weasley (Domhnall Gleeson) and Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy) fireworks explode in the ongoing battle staged by Voldemort. Several Hogwart students and extended family members gather at the former muggle residence of Harry Potter to give the Death Eaters of Voldemort and company a chase. That involves drinking "Polyjuice Potion" to create several Harry lookalikes who ascend broomsticks. Then motorbikes, like Mad Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson) and Hagrid (Robbie Coltraine) who chauffeurs Harry riding sidecar. Snap crackle and pop goes the wild chase and everyone does not make it.
Magic Rufus Scrimgeour shows up with Dumbledore's last will and testament bearing what he left Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) - three treasures and a bonus that later come into play in the struggle against Voldemort. At one point, Hermione reads from "Tales of Beetle the Bard", Dumbledore's gift to her, and the story of three hallows who try to defy death. In central London, the trio inhabits the bodies of members of the cold and hygienically sealed Ministry of Magic to get at another object kept in Dolores Umbridge's (Imelda Staunton) desk - the coveted Horcrux pendant which seems to only make them mean and nasty when they wear it. The quest for Voldemort's Horcrux is the aim of the last two Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. Then the plot slows down. At least 30 minutes of outdoor scenes in Swinley Forest in the English crown estate or the beautiful Welsh coast unfold including the appearance of a luminescent deer that evokes the magical deer-like "kirin" in Hayao Miyasaki's Princess Mononoke. Eventually the trio wind up in the castle of Lucius Draco, trapped by the dastardly insane Bellatrix.
Harry, Hermione and Ron have grown up and both lads seem to vie for the attention of Hermione. Can't blame them for she seems to be the cleverest of them all. Gone are scenes from "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry", added is an erotic embrace between Harry and Hermione. The students are ready for life and love. All that remains are a few teachers and a brief glimpse of the train that took them to wizard school.
Recently India criticized the Harry Potter craze for causing wild owls to diminish in the country. Apparently many young people want to have one for a pet. In this film, there is one owl for a couple of scenes. Harry Potter 7 is also fairly downsized and perhaps symbolizes how much we have all had to cut back during these "dark times". One can only hope that Hp7 , Part 2 will pick up the slack. So far this is not the way I would want to say farewell to the tales of Harry Potter that have entertained us on screen us since 2001. This is the third Potter film directed by David Yates, and keeping to the theme of the film, luck may not always run in threes.
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