It’s the beginning of the end, the much anticipated 7th installment of the Harry Potter series (part 1) is finally here.  I’ll be honest; I am a big Harry Potter fan so being objective was extremely hard.  Turns out I really didn’t have to be, it was extremely close to the book.

When we left off, Dumbledore was dead and the Death Eaters headed by Voldemort were picking up speed.  We pick up right where we left off.  David Yates once again does absolute justice to the book, and quite possibly the best book to movie portrayal of the series.  The beginning is dark and quite frightening.   You really get a glimpse of just how selfish and utterly uncaring Voldemort is and how profoundly it has impacted Harry, Hermione, Ron and their families as we see Hermione casting a spell on her parents to wipe their memories of her existence and Harry sending the Dursley’s away for their protection.   After the Ministry of Magic is compromised, the 3 apparate to a remote forest and begin their journey to find the rest of the horcruxes Voldemort has hidden away.  Aided by cryptic gifts and hints from the late Dumbledore, tidbits from Xenophilius Lovegood (Luna Lovegood’s father) and help from Dobby and Kreature, they begin to search for ways to destroy the horcruxes, but not without sacrifices.  Not only must they find all of the horcruxes, but they must destroy them and find all 3 of the Deathly Hallows before Voldemort does, for whoever possesses all of the Deathly Hallows shall master death.  The film is action packed from beginning to end, and unlike the other films I didn’t find myself bored at times.  My only disappointment was with the interpretation at the wedding scene when Kingsley’s patronus comes to warn them.  It wasn’t nearly as cool as it was written, nor goose bump inducing.  Part one whets the appetite for an exciting and awe inspiring finale.  Cannot wait until July!!

P.S. - After seeing the past 3 movies, I feel kind of gipped not having the first 3 directed by David Yates.