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

To start off with a facial close-up of Bill Nighy is rarely wrong. To follow up with a dark (both literal and metaphorically) montage of the devastation of consequences is outstanding. Grey filters galore and a haunting score from the excellent Alexandre Desplat as Rickman and Fiennes show us that these are dark times indeed. Hell, even Bellatrix manages to restrain herself around Voldemort. Within minutes both Hedwig, Mad-Eye and Burbage are dead, and the most thrilling broom-chase of the franchise has enthralled us. And we've hardly started.

The dialogue between the early action is solemn and quiet (apart from the Weasley-twins of course, always a cheery couple), words and silence both lingering, making it intentionally uncomfortable viewing.

A huge leap in both the film's development, and quite literally, occurs as our three friends enter the woods in search of horcruxes. The start of a quest if you will. This part feels a bit much "Frodo" as wearing the horcrux they actually have, leaves them tired and angry (Besides, to top it, the horcrux tries to drown Harry). Watson plays the part of Samwise Gamgee as the boys take turn acting out in anger or deep paranoia (Grint only). Thankfully both Grint and Radcliffe now own their parts enough to keep it realistic. And when all seem as darkest, they pull out a gem of a scene where ironically, a Nick Cave-song brings light and a glimpse of joy.

Director Yeates blends the everyday life of the characters very nicely with the frantic pace of the plot. Stopping to show tenderness and learning at nice intervals. Furthermore, the political aspect is upped as Voldemort seizes control over an increasingly fascist Ministry. On the bright side, this along with the smaller part she plays, makes Umbridge bearable this time around. Furthermore, this instalment has more clever puzzles, leaving us to feel the joy and pride of the kids as they advance closer to the solution they yearn for.

But with Gambon gone and Rickman marginalized, you are left missing something from time to time. Though Michael Byrne makes more out of 10 seconds than most. The kids are old and good enough to carry this, but shouldn't have to when you've used so much time building so many fantastic characters. The dark mood is perfectly compelling, but the film is best in the first hour, apart from the wonderful slo-mo scene that sets up Dobby's death. Not to mention the brilliant cliffhanger.

8/10