Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Previously on Harry Potter...

It's that time of year again; time to dig out your Gryffindor scarf, pointy hat and circular spectacles for Harry Potter is back on the silver screen in his penultimate flick.
Director of the fifth and sixth of the saga, David Yates is also back in the big chair. Screen writer Steve Kloves, who has written every single one of the Harry Potter scripts, is now unemployed! I'm sure he'll do just fine.
The seventh and final book in the series is one of the heaviest and so big they broke it in twain to film. It's a good thing they did.
It's celebration time at the Weasley's; son Bill (Domhall Gleeson - True Grit) is about to marry his long-time girlfriend and French hottie, Fleur Delacour (Clemence Poesy). The whole Scooby gang has turned up for the wedding and to keep an eye on Harry Potter. It seems that someone deep in the Ministry of Magic has let slip to all round bad guy Lord Voldemort Potter's whereabouts and no one can be trusted.
Before Dumbledor died in the last film (OMG SPOILER MUCH!), Harry and co were searching for seven horcruxes (objects that held parts of Voldemort's soul). If they find all the horcruxes and destroy them, then Voldermort will cease to be. Their quest for those objects continues throughout this final part of the tale that sees friendships challenged, relationships formed and loved ones lost.
The film ends at chapter twenty-four of the book (for those playing at home) with a massive promise of action, bloodshed and lots and lots of weeping come next year.
Other titles for this part of the series could have been Harry Potter and The Many Camping Grounds; Harry Potter and The Big Wait; Harry Potter Strips Neked; Harry Potter and What Has Hermoine Got In Her Bag This Time?
I jest, a bit. There was a lot of waiting. Thankfully I can't remember the book all that well so everything was new to me again, but I don't remember that much waiting... In saying that though, there is enough plot development and action to fill the two hours along with some smashing special effects.
New additions to The Best Of Britian cast include Rhys Ifans (Greenberg) as the delightfully ditzy Xenophilius Lovegood (Luna's dad) and Bill Nighy (Wild Target) as Rufus Scrimgeour.
The stand out for me though was David O'Hara (Wanted) playing Harry Potter playing Albert Runcorn. He just nailed it! Very well done.
There is an animated sequence as Hermione tells the story of The Three Brothers which I thought was exquisitely done. I must find out who did the artwork for that.
There is a wee bit of a pacing problem, but then again what else were they to do with all that time. I'm quite certain the next film will barely give you time to catch your breath let alone the popcorn you drop on the ground while your eyes are fixated on the screen.
With such a large cast it felt like we barely got to say hello to anyone before we were whisked away to a different setting, though again I'm sure next time will be different.
Things I learnt: must learn Latin; carry a tent at all times; don't get married in a field.
Well done.
NEXT!
Eight out ot ten.