Even though you know what’s coming, the latest chapter in the HP saga still manages to appeal and enthrall by dint of an all pervading sense of menace throughout. It’s a huge cliché to say that each film is darker than the last, but here the villains – often played previously as pantomime moustache-twirlers – finally blossom into genuine threats, their evil casual and malicious and all the better for it. Throughout, there’s a real feeling that any of the leads could perish in an instant and despite Rowling’s occasional use of magic to neatly sidestep painting herself into a corner (Ron’s poisoning a case in point), fans hardened and casual will find some genuine, edge-of-seat moments to enjoy here.
Throughout, the film is a nice mixture of talk and action, the opening sequence over London featuring Death Eaters swooping like black ink in water is exceptional, tightly edited and genuinely pushing the boundaries of the 12A certificate, with hints at hundreds dying as the Millennium Bridge is destroyed. Likewise, while there are overly talky scenes throughout, they never become boring, with Harry finally realising the true danger he-who-shall-not-be-named poses. A growing menace lovingly conveyed via some beautifully dark photography by Amelie DoP Bruno Delbonnel, the opening storm staying on throughout, tiniting everything grey and transforming the previous Christmas box tweeness of Hogwarts into a mess of shadows and looming, unfriendly architecture.
As per usual, there is a marked improvement in the acting and although Radcliffe himself stays within some tightly delineated lines, he conveys a growing sense of determination effectively, managing to get away (just) with dialogue that is often overly purple. Likewise Rupert Grint continues to excel in the affably likable stakes, although Emma Watson perhaps relies too heavily on her burgeoning good looks, with her scenes often overly stagy and rather distracting because of it. Of the grown ups, Helena Bonham Carter stands out, her Ballatrix La Strange eerily menacing and sadly underused and while many of the other resident Brit thesps seem to be on a retainer, simply there to fill the screen rather than add anything useful to proceedings, Jim Broadbent puts in an incredibly strong appearance as Horace Slughorn, his physical comedy a genuine pleasure in a franchise often guilty of mugging, whilst still managing to imbue many of his scenes with genuine pathos.
On the downside, the challenge of squeezing 800-odd pages into one film often means too much exposition and Rowling’s tendency to rely too heavily on Deus Ex Machina doesn’t help, giving the feeling that some scenes are cut off half way through, while the smaller points that previously worked to flesh out the magical world are often sadly absent here – a grin-inducing appearance by the Weasley twins notwithstanding. It’s a small quibble, but one that the next film will hopefully have more room to rectify.
This dense plotting also means that viewers unfamiliar with the books (including yours truly) may find themselves slightly bemused by seemingly unimportant plot points that, at this stage at least, are never expanded upon, whilst the knowledge that the real action is coming up in the next two movies may leave you frustrated.
That said, this is an excellent exercise in tension-building. Beautifully rendered with some innovative effects and genuine good humour, it also finds the time to be truly thrilling. A strong addition to the series, with some lovely and affecting performances and a sense of elan papering over the previous film’s weaker characterisation. Not quite magic, but very close indeed.
45 Comments
It’s for KIDS.
So? There are a lot of kids movies that are a good watch.
Yes, there are. When you’re a KID.
Fuck this. I’m not watching a kid’s film.
A FILM FOR KIDS.
Your loss. I’m going to enjoy it.
You will NC, one christmas, too drunk to move from your sofa – you’ll watch, and you’ll LIKE it.
I bet Vones is one of these characters who walks around in a Goonies t-shirt with his arse hanging out of his idiotic trousers.
GROW UP AND STOP WATCHING KID’S FILMS.
The first one was on at Christmas a few years back and I switched off after 15 minutes because I was bored shitless and there were no kids about to enjoy it.
I recall I put on something that a grown up might enjoy, because I’m an adult.
‘Ironic’ T Shirts are for cocks and students. And my trousers are held up by a belt thankyouverymuch.
No growing up for me.
I aren’t never wotched or read no Harry Potter.
I h8 it when people use words from it – means nothing to me. Some weirdo even dun write a glossary for it – Look:
http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/books/glossary.htm
I haven’t watched any of ‘em because I’m 34. I might start watching Harry Potter films if I sustain a brain injury which leaves me with the mental age of a seven year old.
Y’know? A SEVEN YEAR OLD KID.
I can confirm that Vones looks like an ageing Norwegian death metal fan.
I liked it, but I’m suspicious of grown ups who read kids books-you wouldn’t sit on the tube reading Paddington would you? Even if it did have a special grown up’s dust cover on it. (Unless of course, you were a tourist, at Paddington tube station…)
Aging!?
I’m the youngest one here!
Fuckin’ hell.
Swedish Death Metal. Norwegian Black Metal. Think Snuffleufacus vs Voldemort…
I havn’t yet read the review…Oops.
Yes but Norwegian Death Metallers all look about 15.
Adults who read Harry Potter books or watch Harry Potter films are paedophiles in my opinion.
Only the fans – you should see Nocturno Culto these days.
Nice review – the film is exacctly what I would expect then.
Glad absolutely no one cares about your opinion NC.
vones’ beard is 15, the rest of him is a couple of years younger
Vones – How do you know that? Are you living in my house?
yes. under your bed.
If you’re under my bed, Vones, you heard someone ring me up only this morning to ask me my opinion on something. AND they cared what I had to say.
SO YOU’RE WROOOOOOOOOONG!
*wins*
yay – most comments so far.
NC – you’ve pushed this post to the top of the popular pile, thereby exposing Harry Potter to more people.
Fuck …
DON’T WATCH HARRY POTTER.
Watch Cobra instead. Cobra’s fucking ace. Stallone’s got this gun, see …
We’re planning on doing a post on snake related action heroes from the 80’s. You’ll like that one I’m sure.
“Fuck this. I’m not watching a kid’s film.
A FILM FOR KIDS.”
I’m sure you mentioned going to see Transformers the other day Napps.
I watched it for Megan Fox’s ass. That’s not for kids.
Cobra is fucking ace! Stallone uses scissors to eat pizza, and keeps his shades on while he’s alone.In his house. At night. THATS how to make a movie!
Interceptor – Cobra’s brilliant. This Slashing All Over The Seats site should talk about stuff like that. I want to see reviews of:
Commando
Cobra
Over The Top
Red Heat
Rocky IV
Tango & Cash
Remo: Unarmed & Dangerous
Lock Up
AND:
RAW FUCKING DEAL
Raw Deal is rubbash-only saved by the huge, ludicrous flat top and the divine James Belushi. Over the top though-arm-wrestling-mageddon!
The 80’s action retrospective is coming…
Interceptor – You idiot. You’re confusing Raw Deal with Red Heat.
bah-it’s all flat tops. Arnie isn’t even Russian, the ruddy liar!How did a ruddy liar like that get to be governor of California. And a goddarn commie-russkie too. the ruddy liar.
I like the bit in Rambo III when, faced with the choice of taking on the entire Soviet army single-handedly or surrendering, John Rambo chooses the former action with a ‘Fuck it’, and proceeds to kill ‘em all with a gun you’d usually see mounted on the side of a Huey.
I’m looking forward to picking holes in the forthcoming ’80s action flick retrospective.
YOU PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING OF REAGAN-ERA MUSCLEBOUND KILLIN’ MOVIES.
Perhaps you’d like to write one NC?
Vones – E-mail me with what you want me to do and I’ll DO IT.
Clarry, if you are so intent on not appearing childish maybe you could learn how to form grammatically correct sentences and write in whole words.
There is nothing wrong with Harry Potter.
May – There is. It’s unimaginative shit written in a cardboard language by a sour-faced misery guts who spent too many years on the dole reading (and then ripping off) the Worst Witch stories.
One of my friends was in the Worst Witch TV show.
Just sayin.’
NC – You shall recieve a briefing.
I used to have a pre-school crush on the worst witch.
Vones – I can hardly contain myself with the excitement of it all.
I love the Worst Witch.
at least in the worst witch people aren’t surprised when someone called Dr sinisterdemonwolf turns out to be a bad guy…
cool man i think i may just go see it too! Double J