Harry, Ron, and Hermione embark on a quest to
​track down and destroy all of Voldemort's horcruxes.

FAMILY/FANTASY

Harry Potter and the
​Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Directed by David Yates

Written by Steve Kloves

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson,
​Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham Carter, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Toby Jones, Robbie Coltrane,
​Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Rhys Ifans

Sequel to 2009's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling

Oscar Nominations - Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction

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Connor Eyzaguirre

August 27, 2015

8/10

Part one of this epic finale is a bit slow, but lays the groundwork for one of the best endings ever. I'm glad they split Rowling's final Potter novel into two films, as the final book had so much story to tell and it would have been criminal to leave out anything essential. This film is definitely the darkest of the series, even counting the finale. In a franchise that started with children learning magic, you now have a giant snake eating people. Definitely a shift in mood.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is mainly a performance piece, with 90% of the focus being on Harry, Ron, and Hermione and their quest for the Horcruxes. While it does just feel like one giant preview for the final film, it stands on its own with great performances (apart from the small dancing scene, which attempts to be serious but ends up being ridiculous). The return of Dobby was appreciated, after his role had been completely cut out of most of the franchise, as well as the addition of Mundungus Fletcher, who has also been ignored. All in all, very little was left out.

The penultimate film in this franchise is really good, but not nearly as good as the finale. It does its job and tells half the story. It would have been terrible if they hadn't made it, as it is a decent film that maintains the spirit of the franchise.