The final adventure in the adaptations of JK Rowling's books, split inhalf. For once we are presented with a Potter film that truly has anadult tone, rather than a childish film that aspires to adult themes.Director David Yates creates the kind of chilling atmosphere that ChrisColumbus wished he could make & presents action set pieces that putprevious spectacle to shame. The somber ending is another strength forthe film.

There's just one problem - the camaraderie among the three maincharacters, a problem that has long plagued the franchise, more so inthe films than the books, though in later books the trio's friendshipsbecame less convincing as well. The characterization of Ron sufferedbadly in the films as the filmmakers chose to highlight virtually allof his negative traits for the sake of cheap laughs, even adding a fewextra negative moments when it wasn't appropriate, and either leavinghis few good moments on the cutting room floor or giving them toHermione even though she didn't deserve the extra merit badges (the 2ndand 3rd films were both very guilty of this), reducing him to being thekind of dimwitted cowardly sidekick that you'd expect to find in an 80scartoon. The longterm problem with doing so is this makes hisfriendships with Harry & Hermione both hollow & ineffectual because hecomes off not as a true friend but useless hanger on whom they toleratesimply because they enjoy his family's company. When Harry had hisfirst falling out with Ron in GOF his frustration seemed silly becausehe was essentially upset over falling out with a cowardly idiot whocould never truly keep up with him; when Hermione was upset with Ron inthe same film for accusing her of 'fraternizing with the enemy' at theYule Ball it made sense only to the point that he ruined her 'specialnight' but it did not make sense to think she may have reciprocatedwhatever feelings were just bubbling under the surface given theobsession with making him look like the dumbest wizard whoever lived(some might argue they both deserved it, considering the 3rd film endedwith them mocking him & in the days before the Yule Ball Hermioneclearly mocked & taunted him about his ugly dress attire, then had thenerve to act all sweet & friendly when she was having the time of herlife & he was clearly in the dumps). When Hermione was heart-brokenover Ron 'rejecting' her in HBP so he could run around with LavenderBrown it made no logical sense because by that point Ron waspractically a slave to his flaws & faults while she was practically theembodiment of all desirable virtues. And in DH when Ron, frustratedwith the lack of a concrete plan as they seek out the Horcruxes thatcould destroy Voldemort & spurned on by the piece of spirit in thelocket Horcruxe manipulating him, leaves the group, the resultingdepression in Harry & Hermione again makes no logical sense because Ronhas spent most of the series being a worthless chump. Gimli the Dwarfalso suffered from similar pitfalls in the Lord of the Ring films,namely the Two Towers adaptation, but when juxtaposed with the way Ronwas handled in the HP films, Gimli was practically Batman bycomparison.

DH gives Ron his second & only other good moment in the series, wherehe destroys the first Horcrux when he returns just in time to saveHarry from being drowned by the Horcrux while trying to acquire theSword of Gryffindor despite the Horcrux taunting him with his worstfears, from spiders to not being loved by his family to not only beingdiscarded by his friends but to his friends actually being a couple,just as he did in the book (the other good moment being in the firstfilm where he allowed himself to get whacked by a giant chess piece soHarry could get across through the elaborate defenses & acquire thePhilosopher Stone). Which is amazing considering that at least half hisgood moments were usually given to Hermione (winning the Quidditchmatch in HBP doesn't count because that didn't really mean much in thebig scheme of the story); frankly I'm surprised screenwriter SteveKloves, who only got the job because he gushed about loving Hermione toJK Rowling, didn't change the script to have Ron be unable to overcomehis insecurities (again) & have Hermione show up, take the sword fromRon & destroy the Horcrux for him. Perhaps after years of abusing himKloves & director Yates decided to finally throw the poor guy a bone byletting him destroy the first Horcux, just like in the book.Unfortunately, it's too little too late - one moment of mild awesomedoes not redeem years of depicting Ron as a worthless coward. It's toobad because the character could have been so much more than a useless3rd wheel, instead we end up agreeing with his hallucination, whichtells him point blank that he is nothing. That may not be what Rowlingor the filmmakers were going for, but that's how it feels

As far as acting goes, Daniel Radcliffe as usual is effective in thatlow key way of his. Rupert Grint isn't as annoying as he was inprevious films, having finally given up the obnoxious mugging thatruined his character, but he still doesn't have the range to fullyutilize the more dramatic material finally given to him. Emma Watson'sperpetual pouting is about as sincere as a five year old who didn't getthe pony she wanted for her birthday. Bright spots in the cast includeseasoned pros such as Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter & Rhys-Ifansamong others relishing their roles for all their worth. Despite thelong running series flaw though, this film holds up better than therest.

After 10 years this is definitely the way to start the end. DeathlyHallows Part 1 is like the calm before the storm. I think everyoneshould see this movie even if you're not a big HP fan. Everyone hasheard the story of the boy you lived I'm sure everyone wants to knowhow, after ten long years the story will come to a close.

Personally I loved it! There are a couple bones i have to pick withDeathly Hallows Part 1. First, the movie was a bit too slow & dragged,it did make it a little boring. They could've cut down on all the campsites, not all were crucial to the story. Second, it was not as sad asI expected it to make me feel. When i read the book the deaths ofHedwig & Dobby made me feel really sad, but when i saw their deaths inthe movie it all happened so quickly it didn't give me time to be sad.Other than that the movie fantastic! The best is how the Hermione & Ronromance starts to happen. They're adorable! This movie has everything,great story, emotion and it starts to tie up all the loose ends.

When I first discovered that they planned to split the final book intotwo full movies, I was pleased. While I understand the necessity ofselectively editing the content of a book when it is adapted to the bigscreen, I was very disappointed in what the production team decided toleave out of some of the movies...particularly the last three. Thedecision to essentially make "Deathly Hallows" a 5+ hour movie splitinto two parts gave Me the hope that they would start the finale withDumbledore's funeral and restore some of the elements previouslydropped.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed. This scene set near the end of"Order of the Phoenix" was a pivotal scene that set up many of theevents in "Deathly Hallows"; particularly the reaction of thenon-humans in the magical world to Dumbledore's passing. Mydisappointment aside, I have to say that pt 1 of "Deathly Hallows" isvery well done.

From the opening sequence, David Yates sets a pace that keeps theaudience on the edge of their seats. Even when the story reaches thepart my family refers to as, "the Never-ending Camping Trip," Yates andthe principle actors keep it engaging...avoiding the mid-movie doldrumsoften found in longer films. Steve Kloves also did a great job with thescript in providing the perfect place for the cliff-hanger with whichpt 1 ended. And as many have mentioned, the animated "Tale of the ThreeBrothers" was simply delightful!

All in all, a wonderful movie and a beautiful way to begin the end ofan iconic series. I anxiously await Part 2.