My children have been raised on Harry Potter. So it is a foregone conclusion that we were going to see it though to the end. And it is not disappointing.
While I cannot comment on how well the movie hews to the book (so far)–we read it so long ago it seems–my oldest son claims they changed a few things, though nothing terribly important seems to have been lost.
The movie is darker, the action scenes more intense, the tone almost suspenseful. But there are long stretches where you are waiting for something to happen and nothing does, which is distracting. These stretches are introspective moments whose balance to the faster parts of the film seem like overweight pregnant pauses. This may be a side effect of turning a Tolstoy length book into two films instead of one but I found them to be a bit tedious.
Younger viewers who are not as interested in the deeper context of character and relationship development–necessary for the most part–will find this seat-squirmingly cumbersome, even though they are set against some beautiful panoramic backdrops.
The acting is excellent. Our trio of leads has come a long way, and the supporting characters are fabulous. Watch Severus Snape’s expressions as he is confronted by the evil around him. The hint of revulsion to them is subtle but evident if you are familiar with the tale.
Two secondary characters cease to exist in this one, I won’t mention who; Potter-philes will already know anyway. The rest of you can decide who you feel more empathy for should you choose to see the film.
Overall, it is worth seeing on the large screen. We had a good time, but it is a cold and dark bit of film making about a very desperate time for Potter’s wizarding world, almost calm before the expected storm in part II which comes out next summer. (well, not that calm)
