Best Potter yet
First thing to remember:
Author J.K. Rowling approves the final drafts of the movie scripts before filming takes place to make sure that nothing crucial is left out.
Why is this worth mentioning?
Because there are changes between the book and the movie. Some rather big changes, but, honestly, and I speak as a huge fan of the books, they don’t affect the overall storyline all that much. The movies do not have the time to keep everything exactly like the book. Although, if you want a more accurate, almost word for word translation from book, watch the first two films.
I have always viewed the movies and the books as separate entities. They tell the same story, but differently. Some scenes that work out well on the page do not translate all that well on screen and some changes must be made. (I.e. the final battle sequence in particular.)
I loved this movie.
It’s perhaps my favorite Potter film so far. It’s fast paced and does not waste time going into detail over the past. If you missed the first four movies and the books, then you will be lost in the dark.
Director David Yates examines Harry’s internal struggle regarding good and evil and his connection to Voldemort throughout the movie and I love that he chose to do that instead of focusing on just the action. The action alone would have made for a good movie, but the book delved into Harry’s psyche and it really needs to be addressed. The entire series is about Harry’s struggles to overcome Lord Voldemort and good vs. evil.
The trio have really grown into their roles over the years. They are no longer awkward young children, but are instead incredibly talented young actors, Daniel Radcliffe in particular. This film showcases his acting in a way that none of the other Potter films have done and allows him room to grow into an acting force to be reckoned with.
A lot of hard-core fans of the books will most likely despise this movie because of the vast amounts of changes that went into it. And it will probably be because the changes ruins their theories they had about certain things that are apparently not all that important. But as a fan myself, I understand that changes are going to happen but I also know that if something is needed and is cut, J.K. Rowling will step in and tell them (and in this case, I am referring to Kreacher, the Black Family house-elf).
The final battle sequence is incredible to watch. It’s one thing to read about, but seeing it is completely different. It’s exciting, visual eye-candy. One of my favorite scenes in the movie involving Voldemort and Harry occur during this part and was adapted perfectly on screen.
Overall, I enjoyed it immensely and will see it again and again. The director has managed to pull together a wonderful film that manages to take a lot from the 800 some odd page book and put it into a film that, while shorter than the other Potter films, tells of a journey of a young man struggling to come to terms with Good vs. Evil.