They’re Back… (Part 1)

Today I took my daughter Sarah to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1).  It was Sarah’s second viewing.  She went to the midnight showing on Thursday night / Friday morning in full HP garb.
Obviously, we both enjoyed it.  I would definitely not take children under 10 years old as it is dark and (potentially) frightening for someone that young.  I don’t think it’s particularly frightening for teens or adults.
As a HP reader and movie go-er, I would say the movie is a definite must-see.  I’d give a B+ to A-.  I will have to re-read the book to make sure, but I felt it was fairly close to the book.  I am not the fanatic Sarah is.  She felt there were scene’s which were different than she imagined them in the book.  As someone who’s seen several adaptations (not just HP), that’s fairly common and I can accept them as long as they don’t grossly change the story-line.  I did not feel this happened, in this movie anyway, so I’m okay with minor changes.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the actors.  It really feels like I’ve watched them grow up – in the characters and as actors playing the characters.  I think the big three have shown marked improvement in this episode.  Kudos.
As for criticisms, and they are minor, there are two chase scenes – one flying and one in the woods – which are meant to convey speed and action.  They are shot choppy and close, so you don’t really see much and I found the choppiness distracting instead of engaging.
The movie was supposed to be long.  I didn’t find it so.  I felt it ended at a good point (a high note in the action), but there was definitely no resolution and I’m disappointed I’ll now have to wait another six or seven months to see the conclusion.
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