Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

I am running on barely 5 hours of sleep as I write this entry. Yup, all for the love of Harry Potter! There was no way we were missing out on seeing the movie during its first day of showing. Not when it has been a tradition of ours eversince Sorcerer's Stone came out. So yes, I dragged myself to the mall together with my sister for the 12:40PM screening on November 18. And was it worth it?

Every. single. penny.

The film is almost 75% trio-centric and this is where I really appreciated their friendship the most. They only had each other to rely on. When one broke off (albeit temporarily), it deeply affected those who had chosen to remain. Next to Goblet of Fire, this was the only Potter movie that had me near tears when a character kicked the bucket.

So while we’re at it, allow me to share with you my thoughts regarding the movie. Be warned for spoilers behind the cut and in the comments.

While ‘tards majority praise Emma Watson for her performance in the film, I think it was Rupert Grint who stood out most with his superb characterization of Ron's inner demons that almost consumed him. Who didn't laugh when he cheesily narrated how he was able to find his way back to his friends? Who didn't feel his pain as he carried the locket and was slowly consumed by jealousy and resentment? The underrated, often overlooked, member of the trio is turning out to be the most effective actor among them.

Unpopular opinion: Bill Weasley is hawt! And Fleur calling him "William" was just too cute for words.

Sneaky George interrupting Harry and Ginny's moment. I love how he isn't so clueless like Ron was in HBP.

The editing leaves much to be desired. Did the movie's editor go to the Ryan Murphy School of Editing? With the scenes they've snipped off since OotP, David Yates better release a DVD set of all Potter movies he directed... UNCUT.

The veteran supporting cast continued to make a mark even with their limited screen time. Helena Bonham-Carter was especially a delight as the insanely evil Bellatrix Lestrange.

Can anyone say fan service? Yup, that’s what this movie is about.

I cannot wait for Part 2 already. Surprisingly, the movie has won over the purists who nitpick every detail from the book that makes it to the movie.