Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

SPOILER FREE

Directed by: David Yates
UK/US release: 19 November 2010
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Imelda Staunton



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She said:

Readers of He said she said may not know this but I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I read the first book when I was 11 (that is 13 years ago now) and haven't shut up about how amazing the story is since. The thing that makes the series so fantastic is the depth and intelligence of the story itself and on the whole I think that Deathly Hallows Part One conveyed this well.

I have read very mixed reviews of this second-to-last installment of HP and I am not surprised at some of the more adverse reactions from non-readers. Deathly Hallows is the darkest book and, for the first time, we are taken away from the warmth and familiarity of Hogwarts and thrown into the unknown. This is the trio at war with a corrupt and oppressed wizarding world. In terms of tone and feel I think the film got this spot on; there is a very grey light throughout, perfectly conveying a sombre and very serious nature to this tale.

The best thing about the film for me was the development of Harry, Ron and Hermione. You really get a sense that both the actors and characters have matured a great deal. For example Emma Watson's eyebrows are much tamer in this film and there is a lot less sighing and a lot more emotional depth to her performance. I felt she was understated (which is perfect for Hermione in this installment) and was really the glue that held everything together. Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint also gave their best performances both very gently adding moments of tenderness and humour to this otherwise dark film.

I could go into a lot more detail including comparisons to the book but for He said she said I think I have said what I need to. This film is, in my opinion, the best made in the series. There is also a part which takes us away from the traditional style of the films into something all together different - but I won't tell you what! I give it {{{4.5 out of 5}}} - the extra 0.5 is being held back until I can judge Part One and Two together!

He said:

Unlike my wife and so many other fans of Harry Potter I did not grow up with Harry. I was first introduced to the wizarding world at the less than tender age of 22, while stationed in Germany with the US Army. I tore through the first four years of the series in a matter of three days with little of my attention anywhere other than Hogwarts. I have read all seven books and even enjoy the genre of music (commonly known as WROCK or Wizard ROCK.) I have seen each film with in the first week of it's release and have enjoyed each for the similar but very different stories they tell.

The Deathly Hallows part 1 is a fantastic adaptation of the novel. While there are scenes that I had pictured differently in my head they were much more familiar than a lot of the previous films altogether. As Helen says above the tone and even look of this film is the darkest of the series thus far. I think this choice by Yates and his production team reflects their respect for both the source material and the audience.

It has been nearly ten years since the first film was released world wide and the majority of the fans of that film have grown up along with these characters and films. Deathly Hallows is not the quintessential children film franchise it was nearly ten years ago. I think quite a few parents who still associate Harry Potter with their eleven year old children will be in for quite a shock when they discover not only has the cast matured so to has the material.

I really enjoyed this film and like Helen I am eager to rate both parts together this summer. I can not recommend this film enough, I give it [[[4.5 out of 5]]]

They said:

Despite being the darkest film in the series this also has some of the most heartwarming and giggle-worthy scenes of all the movies so far. Don't expect classroom high-jinx, jolly music and fireside chats in the Gryffindor common room but do expect to be blown away by a dangerous and lonely quest to defeat Lord Voldemort. We give this film {{{9 out of 10}}}

QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS: Go on then.... are you a Harry Potter fan?

Cemetery Junction (Directed by Gervais/Merchant)

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Starring: Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, Felicity Jones, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, Matthew Goode, Ricky Gervais

He said:
I am always pleasantly surprised when I like a truly British film, I don't know if it is the arrogant American attitude, or that my prior experience to British film was limited to bigger hits, HOT FUZZ, Shaun of The Dead, and Saving Grace, to name a few.

I hope that this film does well on the other side of the pond as it has a lot of themes that I think would translate well to the American Collegiate demographic. Helen will give you the majority of the themes below, but really I think this film handles a handful of cliches really well, with out ever feeling heavy handed or morally superior.

I really enjoyed this film and would definitely recommend you watch it at your first opportunity. I give it [[[4 out of 5]]]


She said:

The trailer shows that this is a British film written and directed by Ricky Gervias and Stephen Merchant, set in the seventies, about disillusioned youths and has All the Young Dudes by David Bowie in the background. It was aimed at people such as myself and I was drawn in hook, line and sinker. This film did not disappoint.

It was refreshing to see something new and different from the amazing Gervias/Merchant duo: something cool rather than awkward and heartwarming rather than cringeworthy. The film is essentially a 'coming of age' film or a 'journey of self discovery' or another similarly cliched phrase. But the film itself isn't cliched. It is funny, charming and my old favourite, thought provoking.

The three main characters made a good spectrum of youth - one trying to be the 'cool guy', one being the 'obligatory loser' and the other trying to be something different! Without giving anything away this film is about realising that what you thought you want out of life, and what you are doing with it isn't necessarily what your heart is truly telling you. Hence the journey of enlightenment crap I mentioned earlier. I give this film {{{4 out of 5}}}

They said:
This isn't your typical laugh riot Gervias/Merchant film, but it has a great heart and will leave you with a solid smile and good feeling as the credits roll. We strongly recommend this film to everyone and proudly give it {{{8 out of 10}}}

Clash of the Titans [2D] (Directed by Louis Leterrier)

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He said:
I think we both walked out of this film pleasantly surprised. I didn't go into the theatre with huge expectations, and that alone might be why I was more impressed than displeased. This is another film that unfortunately felt the need to tack on the 3D effects after the fact. Once again it is unnecessary we enjoyed this film in it's original 2D format and did not at any point feel that we had missed out on any thing.
There are things I could gripe about, as Helen says below, the music felt less of an accompaniment and more of separate character. (think Wayans' Brothers in, well any film they are ever in.)
A nod to the original film with the mechanical owl was a nice touch, though it will mostly go unnoticed by the majority of audiences that haven't seen the original film. I enjoyed this film and wouldn't mind having it on my DVD shelf for a night in need of Epic stories with out journeying into Peter Jackson's Tolkein Universe. I give this film {{{{3.5 out of 5}}}}

She said:

We went into this not expecting great things (mainly due to our cyncical yet still adoring belief in Blockbuster films) but I actually came out pleasently surprised. There were elements of this film that I could pick at - and I will do in just a moment - but overall I enjoyed this film. It was an epic fantasy which I am a sucker for and it really wasn't terrible.

Now for the picky bit. I have two main issues. One is with the music. I felt that it could have added to the epic, grandiose story rather than walk the line of fantasy meets heavy metal. I felt like it did not quite sit right. It was too self concious rather than becoming part of the whole.

My other bone to pick was about the special effects and the reason is similar. The effects were (as you would expect) fantastic. The mythological creatures were great fun but I wanted more from them. I wanted more close ups; details of these magnificant beasts. I also wanted great, epic wide shots rather than fighting for a glimpse of the whole. I think they again were being too self-concious in their teasing of the audience. I like to be teased to a point. Then I want to see the frickin monster properly.

Apart from these things - and some occasional badly directed acting - the film was very good. I would see it again. I give this film a respectable {{{3.5 our of 5}}}

They said:

If you do want to see it, then watch in 2D. You really aren't missing much. If you have little to no knowledge of Greek mythology this will probably be a fascinating watch! We give it {{{7 out of 10}}}