We’ve got a little more than five months until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 comes to theaters and I know all you HP fans out there want to gobble up as much footage as you can. Thanks to the MTV Movie Awards, we get a new peak at Deathly Hallows 1 and 2. Deathly Hallows is my favorite of all 7 books (just barely edging out Half Blood Prince) and I’m pleased to say that for the most part, the footage in this newest video is on point with the book. There is a lot to like here. Still, there are a couple things I’m concerned with, but I’ll get to that later. First, take a look at the trailer.
The biggest problem I have is that the trailer hints at Harry letting Hedwig go while he’s still at the Dursleys’. Sure, this is a happier ending for the owl than her fate in the book, but her death is a very important part of the story! First of all, Hedwig is the first character to die in Hallows, setting us up to know that from now on, anyone close to Harry is fair game (Mad Eye’s death just solidifies that fact). Secondly, Hedwig symbolizes both Harry’s childhood AND his connection to the wizarding world. The death of Hedwig then symbolizes Harry’s growing separation from those who want to protect him and the loss of his innocence. I really hope he doesn’t just let Hedwig go in the movie. The only other part I questioned was his kiss with Ginny at Hogwarts (you can tell it’s Hogwarts from the background characters) because it doesn’t happen in the book. Still, considering how badly they messed up the kiss in Half-Blood Prince, if they give Harry and Ginny an extra moment in the last film, I don’t really mind so much (at least this one looks a little more passionate).
Like I said before, there are a bunch of moments taken right from the books. The fight at the cafe, Ron using the sword of Gryffondor and the dragon of Gringotts can all easily be seen. I also am glad to see the moments right after escaping from the Malfoys (did you notice the cut on Hermoine’s neck?) and Harry looking at Dobby’s grave by the sea. I actually forgot how harsh Ron is to Harry in this book. We’ve seen the two best friend really fight only once so far in the movies (Goblet of Fire, for the record), so it’s going to be interesting to see their friendship really be tested on screen. I think Grint and Radcliffe are up for the challenge.
From what I’ve seen, the filmmakers are right on track with the last two films. The reason I love the last book so much is because the trio doesn’t have the safety of their school to protect them. You really learn what these characters are made of by the challenges they face in this last year. It’s the darkest chapter of Harry’s story, but also the most satisfying. And if the movies are anything like the trailer, I think they are going to pull this off.
This further cements my desire to reread the books so that I will have a better perspective on the final movies.
I really enjoyed your insight, Katie.
Can't freaking wait. I was actually discussing this with the boyfriend after we saw Prince of Persia on the weekend.
Also waiting on the sequel to A Very Potter Musical! You should check it out, Kschenke. It's a fan-parody by a bunch of college students. Very funny stuff 🙂 it's on youtube. Made me want to write a musical.