The Justin Bieber Mathematical Equation

After many long and hard hours of critical and analytical thinking skills, utilizing the most advanced pieces of technology available to mankind, along with the assistance of the greatest mind in science, I have finalized the ultimate mathematical equation involving the Justin Bieber movie.  This equation presents the infallible result of what the intellectuals will do when faced with what to see at the theater showing Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never."  Please take this equation to heart, it may just save your life....

The Justin Bieber Mathematical Equation 

This....

PLUS THIS

MULTIPLIED BY THIS

EQUALS THIS.....

Movie Review: True Grit

Release Date: December 22, 2010 
Studio: Paramount Pictures 
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen 
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen 
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Hailee Steinfeld 
Genre: Drama, Western 
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images) 
Official Website: TrueGritmovie.com 

The Nitty-Gritty Plot Line

In an unrelenting attempt to bring her father’s killer to justice, Mattie Ross finds her way to a small courtroom in a western town where a drunk, gun-slinger of a deputy is on trial for needlessly murdering innocent civilians.  His name…Rooster Cogburn.  As Mattie listens in on the old man and his successful man-hunts, her eyes glisten as she decides to hire Rooster in finding Chaney, her father’s killer.

But the road ahead isn’t easy as Rooster is an old, senile drunk who doesn’t take to kindly to…well…anyone.  With the aid of a big-headed Texas Ranger named LaBeouf, Mattie and company set out on the trail for Chaney and his gang of murderous thugs.  But along the way, the three run into some difficult and life changing situations, all of which will redefine their outlook on life.

My City Slickerish Opinion

Having never seen the original John Wayne film version of the Charles Portis novel, I haven’t a clue as to how close the two films with the same name are as far as the story is concerned.  But having never been one to judge a film based on it’s loyalty to the source material, I can say with absolute certainty that my judgments are not based around any nostalgic sentimentality towards the Henry Hathaway directed original.

Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn

That being said however, one has to wonder how much of Jeff Bridges performance as Rooster Cogburn resembles that of John Wayne’s.  Or an even bigger question, how much of the story is a Coen Bros. trademarked film making technique, and how much of it is a tribute to the 1969 True grit.  Either way, it’s hard to deny that the story of True grit is without a doubt one of the best of any film from 2010.

Right off the bat we are shown a young girl, around the age of your average middle-schooler, taking charge of her life and not allowing herself to be bullied by the adults surrounding her.  Often times she questions the intelligence of any adult she comes in contact with, often sounding annoyed or put-off.  Never doubt her intentions as she might direct her inquisition at you by saying “Well that’s a silly question.”  Her determination in accomplishing her goal can never be questioned, even in the face of one of the most intimidating drunks you’ll ever meet.

The 2010 True Grit I’m sure presents a much more violent and bloody version of the old west than the one staring Mr. Wayne, (no no no, not Bruce.) of which I’m sure is part of that Coen Bros. movie making trade mark.  The thing I was most surprised by however was the darker tone in the overall story.  Naturally, when it comes to the Coen Bros., I can expect a bit of gruesomeness and blood, but I’ve never actually seen a John Wayne film that didn’t feel at least some what silly.  So, going into the theater, I was expecting something a little more light hearted. And at first, the film was exactly that; filled with laughs and an incredible amount of dry humor coming from every character.  But soon to follow are a series of very brief, yet very vivid, scenes of sliced ligaments, faces crashing into boulders, and incredibly graphic bodies hanging from tree branches many feet off he ground. 

But no one should be thrown off by this obviously more graphic and violent remake as the comic relief of the film will help dissipate any stomach curdling sensation you might have when it comes to blood.  The western trifecta has within it two men whose personal differences are hard to put aside.  The Texas Ranger, played by Matt Damon, is so high on himself and his kind that he can’t see past the dirty coat and greasy beard worn by Rooster, masterfully played by Jeff Bridges.  And our Drunk hero can’t help but shoot snide remarks and questions at the Ranger that involve the length of time he and his posse have been riding sheep.

But of course our star, new comer to the big screen, Haliee Steinfeld, puts on one of the most impressive and talented performances by any actor or actress in the last year.  She is quite the stubborn child with more “grit” than any other character in the film.  I honestly can’t wait to see what’s in store for the young actress in the future.  Only an actress with such a personality that Miss Steinfeld possesses could have pulled off playing a character with a knack for delivering such wonderfully poetic scriptural oratory. 

And it is in her character that sums up the overall meaning of the film.  The Coen Bros. have been recently bringing scripture into almost all their films, having little Mattie Ross quotes Solomon, “The wicked flee when none pursueth.”  It’s a story of wandering souls who fall short of the heroic ideal of which I’m sure John Wayne personified during his reign as king of the Western.

Matt Damon does wonders as the egotistical Texas Ranger whom we all hate in the beginning, but love towards the end.  But of course the role everyone wanted to see played out the most was Jeff Bridges as the drunkard deputy, Rooster Cogburn.  In 1969, John Wayne wowed audiences by playing the no good law man, and as a result, won the Oscar for it.  As I’m sure many fans of John Wayne will criticize Bridges for not living up to the Wayne legacy, (of which I completely disagree with) I think I’m justified in saying that John Wayne was only capable of playing one type of role.  John Wayne won the Oscar for playing John Wayne.  Jeff Bridges, should he be nominated for an Oscar (because sadly, he wasn’t up for a Golden Globe) it will be because of his uncanny acting ability.

As stated above, a religious undertone stalks the heart of this film’s core.  This religious heart is introduced through Mattie Ross and her Bible thumping, and is maintained with the gorgeous hymn of “leaning on the everlasting arms” of which most of the film’s music seems to be based off of.  By the end of the film, we find ourselves having been entertained by a parable of good and evil.  But within this film, differentiating the two sides is hard to determine as much of it is indistinguishable.  So lies the tale of how the West was won….or lost.  I guess that’s up to you.

10 out of 10

Movie Review: Black Swan

Release Date: December 3, 2010 (limited; wide: Dec. 17) 
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures 
Director: Darren Aronofsky 
Screenwriter: Mark Heyman, John McLaughlin 
Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder 
Genre: Psychological Thriller 
MPAA Rating: R (for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use) 
Official Website: BlackSwan2010.com 

 The Dark And Twisted Plot

It’s a tale where dreams become nightmares, hopes into obsessions, and artistry dissolves into sexual confusion…and no one goes home happy.  Nina, a ballerina who lives with her retired ballerina mother, fulfills her deepest desires and lands the leading role in Swan Lake.  But this joyous moment doesn’t come without its dark side.  Swan Lake Director Thomas Leroy begins playing some very serious mind games with his new leading dancer and shows some hidden and perverse desires towards her.  Things only go from bad to worse as Nina deals with extreme and violent delusions of a dark alter ego who seems to take control of Nina at random moments.  But the question is, what’s better for Nina, her naturally happy yet timid side, or the hidden gothic, more aggressive side?

My Bright And Chipper Thoughts

For those of you who know about the famous ballet, Swan Lake, you know it takes the idea of fairy tales back to their origins; making them out to be stories of a twisted and dark nature, typically stemming from the wants and fears of human beings.  Through the years, they have been fabricated into moralistic tales to read to our children, which is far from the original intention of these fantastic and other-worldly pieces of fiction.  Black Swan brings us back to a time when fairy tales were terrifying stories that show what human nature is truly like.

As the reviews run rampant, talking about the fear Nina has over loosing her leading role to another upcoming and aspiring dancer, the reviewers would like you to believe the film’s focus is about how Nina obsesses over maintaining her position in the spotlight.  While this is very much a crucial aspect of the story, a deeper theme in the film’s over development is where the story’s heart lies.  Growing up with a mother who hopes to live her “failed” career as a ballerina through her daughter’s success, Nina has developed a very skewed sense of reality.  As an audience member, you’ll be just as confused as Nina as she toggles back and forth from her delusions to reality.  Nina struggles more with herself rather than with her surrounding peers through the bulk of the film, constantly worried about her status on stage, her relationship with the director, the constant images of scratching and cutting herself, and the consistent sexual confusion that plagues Nina’s mind. 

Now don’t be fooled, the plot isn’t all that difficult to figure out.  Considering her upbringing and the lifestyle she chose, it’s not that hard to determine what the outcome will be.  Will she succumb to the temptations around her?  Will she transcend the hard lifestyle she’s had to endure with her mother?  Will she hold onto her self respect and tell her director to not put his hand on her?  Well….Will she???

No…this isn’t that type of movie.  There is no happy ending.  There is no down-on-his-luck football player whose life is changed with the help of an upper class white woman.  There is no knight in shinning blue-skinned-avatar-suit to swoop in and save the day.  There is no small town outsider coming to a town filled with uppity rich families whose lives are changed by the inspiration provided by the outsider.  No ladies and gentlemen, like I stated above, This is a true fairy tale where nothing ends positively, and no one learns anything.

 If you’re familiar with this type of story, it won’t take you long to decipher the film’s inevitable conclusion, but the process the story goes through in uncovering the ending is a thrill ride in and of itself.  With a predictable storyline comes along with it an intelligent film making process, mainly focused around the artistry and glamour of the film. 

This psychological thriller, with all of its darkness and dementia, takes on a new meaning of cinematic beauty.  Even during its most gruesome moments, Black Swan is a spectacle that will keep your eyes glued to the screen.  You’re brain will be torn between telling you to “look away, it’s too much” and “don’t cover your eyes, this is gorgeous!”  It’s startling to see at first, but most of the “thrilling” scenes are tolerable to watch.  It’s mostly the mere thought of what Nina does to herself that will get your heart pumping and cause you to clench the arms of your chair.  And the final dance sequence will terrify and amaze you to the point of no return!

Black Swan does take some major risks though; it’s serious yet silly, absurd yet incredibly artistic, engaging yet completely ridiculous.  So much goes on in the film that, towards the end, you’ll wonder if you’re actually enjoying the movie, or hating it.  And I’ll bet you a million dollars that moment of questioning will occur during a scene where some of Nina’s ligaments begin to…well…take on an entirely different shape.  Don’t be scared, just be READY for it.

The cast is perfect!  Natalie Portman delivered a performance unlike any before.  Sure, she still acts like Natalie Portman, but without a doubt this has to be one of the best performances by any actress or actor of 2010.  But let us not forget about our esteemed “That 70’s Show” bitchy girl, Mila Kunis, who’s finally broken free from the burden of her TV sitcom character and blossomed into an incredible actress.  Vincent Cassel is really good at making you hate him, as well as Barbara Hershey who is amazing at playing a mother who can’t seem to let go of reliving the glory days.  But my greatest joy, casting wise, is simply seeing Winona Ryder back on the big screen.  She’s always had a knack for landing roles in films that appeal to my love of gothic tales.

There’s no real way to express just how incredible Black Swan is…you’ll just have to go see it.  No doubt that this film is only for a certain type of movie goer.  You aren’t going to walk out of that theater feeling great about life, so don’t go if you’re not in the mood for a negative storyline.  However, if you don’t walk away from the movie left in a state of awe due to the impact of the visual rhetoric, I might question you’re artistic nature.  In any case, I recommend this film to everyone…Even if you don’t think you can handle it.

10 out of 10

Movie Review: Tangled

Release Date: November 24, 2010 (3D/2D theaters) 
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures 
Director: Byron Howard, Nathan Greno 
Screenwriter: Dan Fogelman 
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, M.C. Gainey, Jeffrey Tambor, Brad Garrett, Paul F. Tompkins 
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Family, Musical 
MPAA Rating: PG (for brief mild violence) 
Official Website: Disney.com/Tangled 

So Here’s What The Film Is About…

With the healing power a ray of sunshine embedded deep within her golden hair, Rapunzel is stolen from the King and Queen by an evil woman who wishes to remain young for the rest of her life.  As Rapunzel stays locked in the tower, with the frequent visits from her adopted mother, she dreams of a life outside the tower walls where she can live her dream.

Now enters the love interest, Flynn Rider, who has stolen the precious crown of the long lost princess finds refuge within the mysterious tower hidden away in the woods.  Out of fear, having never seen a real man before, takes Flynn hostage and offers him a trade…take her out into the world to see the glistening lanterns that appear every year on her birthday in return for the crown.

And thus starts the adventure where the unlikely duo sets out towards the castle where both will come face to face with their future.  But they will have to avoid the over-protective and selfish mother as well as a few of Flynn’s enemies along the way.

And Here’s What I Thought About It…

As with most Disney animated films which are based on very dark and twisted stories, Rapunzel is given a very rich, animated look filled with happy butterflies and gumdrop smiles.  This is not a negative criticism as things obviously need to be changed in order to meet the “family film” criteria and keep that rating of PG or lower.  I don’t think any of us will really want to see Flynn’s eye scratched out by the villain now do we?  But with any change in a film adaptation also comes with it a fear that something drastic will change in the story, causing fans to rip the film to shreds in how “inaccurate” the story is.  Whether you are one of those types of fans or not, rest assured there is something for everyone within Tangled.

Tangled is, of course, a shout out to the Roy Disney and Michael Eisner days of Disney; giving fans storylines involving a princess in distress who is rescued by the handsome prince (or in this case, thief) and running away from the evil mother.  It is the story of a free spirited young girl who yearns for something more than what her current life provides; with the random array of animals who seem to understand English and the folkish feel to the story, Tangled screams to the 30 – 40 year olds of today to travel back in time to when they were all just finishing elementary school and remember their filmatic childhood.  (Yes, I made up a word.  My blog, my rules…deal with it!) 

However, with this countries retelling (Yes, America is not the only country that tells these types of stories) of the famous folk story, Disney took a chance and strayed away from the popular title and slapped a much more modern and creative title across the movie posters streaming the internet.  And like most of the animated feature films of today, Tangled is filled with silly attempts at appealing to today’s youth, such as Flynn surfing down the dam and Rapunzel’s highly clever and athletic way of using her hair. 

But with the steadily declining interest in musicals in American culture these days, Disney markets this film as a simple animated film with very few musical numbers.  Quite the contrary as the film holds up to just as many songs as you would find in the Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast.  And Tangled is arguably the most musical animated film Disney has produced since Ariel’s adventure to the surface world.  (Just sit through all of the credits and you’ll see what I mean.)

Disney goes through different stages within their animation quality.  Once Walt died, brother Roy took it in a different direction.  As he left, Don Bluth came in and gave Disney a new artistic direction that changed the way animation was done.  Years later after Disney’s “let’s-make-our-movies-cheaply” faze, Michael Eisner took the helm and began giving us animated films to the quality of the Lion King. Now, Robert Iger is forcing Disney into a new era that has been bench marked by that of Pixar Animation Studios.  Tangled maintains that classic, Disney style but balloons the film into much more rich, fuller and life-like animation than in the companies past.  The landscaping of the woods and the chase scenes within them were perfectly done while the collapsing dam within the dried up canyon could have been mistaken for a live action, on location shot.

But most impressive is the detail in not only Rapunzel’s hair, but the hair of each and every character.  Mother Gothel’s mid-length curls had the sturdiness of any black-haired temptress, while Flynn’s thin and wavy brown locks were a sight for sore eyes.  And obviously, Rapunzel’s hair was given an extra amount of care as it was needed to maintain its golden grace despite the many trials and tribulations both her and Flynn would meet along the way.  This is all thanks to the 10 year research project and thesis by Xinmin Zhao and Kelly Ward, whose expertise aided in this films top notch animation quality.

The film’s story does take a little bit to find its footing.  But it isn’t helped by Flynn’s beginning narration and the montage of introductory set-up for the main plot.  It was a necessary thing given the starting point Disney decided to go with, but for about a half hour I was wondering what kind of film I was about to see; A cute and funny story with a Disney twist, or a seemingly contrived plot that was trying way to hard to be cool.  But after that first half hour, the film takes off into a fantastic adventure filled with laughs, action and adventure.

Casting was exceptional, especially the surprising singing talents given by Donna Murphy as the evil mother Gothel.  (I should stop being surprised by the musical excellence of most actors and actresses shouldn’t I?)  Donna Murphy, who’s made some brief appearances in films such as Star Trek: Insurrection and Spider-Man 2, went outside her normal, mellow acting role and pulled out all the stops, giving us one of the sexiest temptress voices to ever hit the recording studio.  Mandy Moore gives an excellent performance as does the unknown actor (at least unknown to me) Zachery Levi. The two make that classic connection of opposites attract very well.  Oh! And see if you can figure out who directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard are doing the voices of!

For those of you who read my reviews consistently, you’ll know of my distaste for the storylines which are very predictable and purposefully pulled from the Hollywood script vault. While I understand why this is done, I find myself still having trouble accepting the fact that nothing original can come from a regurgitated storyline.  But, from time to time, I can allow myself to enjoy a film with a predictable script, especially when it comes to Disney animated films.  And with Tangled’s obvious shout out to its Eisner glory days, I take no real issue with the story’s plot base as its progression.  And with the upgrade in the quality of animation, Disney has given audiences an animated family film that anyone can enjoy.

Rating 9 out of 10

A Movie I Love - A Movie I Hate #1

I know I'm a film snob, and everyone I know is aware of this fact.  Most of my peers who can't understand my likes and dislikes when it comes to film often try to come up with reasons to help sway my opinion more closely resembling theirs.  Often times, they use bits of jargon to describe my thought process that is far from the truth; claiming I am unable to get into the emotional aspect of a film, or I don't understand film and storytelling to begin with. Typically, their attempts come off more as feeble and are ridiculous forms of persuasion that honestly don't help their viewpoint.  It's only successful in the fact that it makes them feel better about themselves and somehow causes them to believe that my opinion is wrong and theirs is right, making them feel justified in acting the way they do just because I don't agree with them.

So as a way of honoring these folks, I've decided start a new regular addition to the Heretic's Blog titled "A Movie I Love - A Movie I Hate."  In this I will pick a few movies I can't stand and attempt a contrasting viewpoint alongside them with some movies I love.  In doing this, it is my hope that these select individuals who scrutinize my film reviewing techniques and my love for certain types of film in general that, as hard as they may try to belittle my opinion, I will always stay strong with my opinions.  (But really...this is just my way of saying that they only like movies where stuff blows up, or ones that are are severely lacking in any intellectually stimulating content.)

Genre: Action Films! (Bang! Pop! Boom! Ka-Plow!)
I Love...The Spirit
Here's the issue, most people hated this film.  Whether you are or are not a comic book fan is irrelevant because most people hated this film in general.  But for me, this film sits in a very special place in my heart.  Why?  Because it's an incredible display of Film Noir at it's Best.  Bad karma floods this entire film with people dying, sex appeal, and corny one-liners that are welcome in a classic detective story.  But it had a flavor that doesn't typically come along with the modern day film experience.  It was weird and unorthodox (except for it's unrelenting circus of female eye candy) and presented the story in a not-so-pleasant fashion.  This doesn't sit well for most film goers...but for me it does.

I Hate...Avatar

Would you believe I hadn't even heard about this film in the least until me, my wife, and my family walked up to the theater and bought our tickets for it?  Well, it's true, I hadn't even heard others talking about it.  Which is weird because EVERYONE seemed super excited for it.  And this is strange to me because, unlike films and shows like Star Wars, Battlestar Gallactica, TMNT and Batman, Avatar had absolutely NO cult following.  There was nothing connecting it to any fanboyish theme, nor was it a continuation of any popular TV show or book.  Yet people began getting excited about almost a year before it had been released!  Why? Because James Cameron knows how to appeal to film goers "stupid" slice of the brain.  Sure, it's flashy and a monumental achievement in CGI animation...but what else was there?  Acting was sub-par and the script was a laughable piece of shit.  Throw out good film making and give fans regurgitated storylines (that were never that good to begin with) and you have Avatar.

Genre: Drama (Life is hard, I must cry about it and give an Oscar winning speech to prove it!)

I Love...Doubt

Why is this film amazing?  (Aside from the fact that it has Meryl Streep) Because it's written well!  It might very well be one of the BEST written scripts for a drama in the history of film.  Now, this could be due to the fact that it was a live stage production, which means a lot of thought and detail was put into the dialog, but its adaption onto the big screen was expertly done.  The performances by the cast went beyond my expectations.  (And believe me, I was expecting A LOT!)  But even more so, the story itself is so thought provoking it almost hurts.  The idea that a Nun, someone who devotes her life to God and living a Christ-like life, has doubt.  It is an incredibly emotional and heart clenching idea that no one wants to accept the reality of.

I Hate... Brokeback Mountain

I don't actually hate it, but I never felt the story went forward with what it claimed to be.  It will only become a landmark within Hollywood film making merely because it's the first film that really shoves the homoerotic strain within American Culture right into people's faces.  But the story itself is lacking much in substance.  It goes to great lengths to show the struggles that a homosexual male have go through in a world that doesn't accept the lifestyle, but nothing is learned, and everyone remains with their original viewpoints no matter where they stood.  The main character dies, his lover is sad about it, but no one learns anything from what transpires.  The life of the story doesn't extend past feeling bad that two homosexuals live hard lives.  The story is never given a chance to transcend beyond it's plot base, which makes it rather incomplete for me.  I'm not saying I needed the two men to run off with each other and live happily ever after, it wasn't that type of film and didn't need it.  But the film never becomes more than it's premise.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One

Release Date: November 19, 2010 (conventional theaters and IMAX) 
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures 
Director: David Yates 
Screenwriter: Steve Kloves 
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Nighy, John Hurt, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs, Miranda Richardson, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Brendan Gleeson, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Jamie Campbell Bower, Richard Griffiths, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Fiona Shaw, Helen McCrory, David O'Hara, Natalia Tena 
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy 
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images) 
Official Website: HarryPotter.com

So Here’s What The Film Is About…

This is the penultimate, cinematic excursion for all Harry Potter fans as it begins the terrifying mission of Harry, Hermione, and Ron to destroy the secret of Voldemort’s immortality: The dreaded horcruxes.  But what are the objects and how do they find them?  The clues are not easy to find and the young magical trifecta must go on this search without an ounce of help from their wizarding mentors.

While the three continue on this search, the wizarding world has become an exceptionally dangerous place to live as Voldemort and his Death Eaters have taken over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts.  Bringing torment and death to all muggle-borns and “traitors” to the magical world, Voldemort still seeks he’s ultimate prize; the boy who lived, Harry Potter.  And with the discovery of a very powerful piece of magic called the Deathly Hallows, Harry and his friends must hurry to find all three pieces of this magic before Voldemort does or this could be the end of Mr. Potter and the wizarding world as we know it.

And Here’s What I Thought About It…

I wonder how many young readers who bought The Sorcerer’s Stone over 10 years ago are calling back on their childhood memories while waiting in the massively long lines at their local movie theater with great anticipation and nostalgic reminiscing?  In the literary landscape of great novels, the Harry Potter Series has been one of the most successful franchises in not only compelling young men and women to read, but adults too.  What I’m sure seems like a lifetime away for the young readers, and probably only yesterday for their parents, the memories of those first books have come back for fans everywhere.  And as I waited (first in line I might add) to enter the theater, I could hear both young and old fans talking about their experiences reading the books and how it changed their viewpoints about what children’s literature is.

So here we are, the premier is over and thousands of nostalgic viewers have walked out of the theater, and likely to bring in many other like-minded people.  And with David Yates, who directed both this and the previous film, taking charge of the this final, two-part installment of the Harry Potter film franchise, they are likely to be satisfied, but with a bitter taste in their mouths.

This is the filmatic chapter (yes, I made up a word.  My blog, my rules…deal with it!) embraces the independence that is forcibly pushed onto Harry, Ron and Hermione as they venture on alone with no supervision or mutual friends to help them.  Even with the consistent humor floating all throughout this film, the dark and scary tone of the story, with the added flavor of isolation thrown into the mix takes central focus, leaving you with very little hope that the three of them will succeed.  However, David Yates, intelligently using the characterizations created by J.K. Rowling of Harry, Ron and Hermione, give us a ray of hope that the ability to rely on one another will pay off in the end.  But make no doubt, these three are truly on their own.

And let’s face it, the loneliness extends further than the pact these three have created as friends; individual loneliness exists as well.  Ron, while obviously the moodiest one of the three, feels very neglected in his often bumbling ways and begins to take it out on his friends.  Likewise, Hermione finds herself in a somber state when she truly has no one to fall back on, especially after obliviated her parents’ memories as a means of keeping them safe from the muggle-born hunters.  But or course there is Harry, whose sense of alienation is the most predominant.  Not only does he hate risking the lives of those he loves, constantly dealing with his friends complete misunderstanding of his condition, and having never met his parents, he must also live with a consistent, yet random barrage of images burrowing into his brain of Voldemort torturing and killing people with whom he has, or did have, a deep connection with.  The last connection to the magical world is the one he wants nothing to do with.

I think most people would agree that this is not your typical children’s film.  Unlike the first four films, which maintained a very hollywoodish feel of happy endings and gumdrop smiles, this film is quite slow and depressing.  At the very least, five major players in the story either die or are tortured, with no censorship on the creepy and sinister feel which comes along with it.  The idea that Children’s literature should be uplifting and happy is debunked with this 7^th film as the ending shows the bad guys winning and the good guys loosing.  Parents who wish to alienate their children from all things unhappy and sad should be wary of the Deathly Hallows.  It’s not going to make you smile, nor will it uphold anything that you’ve probably been trying to teach your kids.  (good triumphs over evil, witchcraft is a bad thing, etc.  You get the idea.)  However, if you want your kids to be damn sure that being on their own will be tough and exceptionally scary and that they should rely on you and never leave home again, please, pay the ticket price and show them the light.  But do keep in mind that this is the first part, and the second will come in July.  And most likely your fears will be relinquished with the story’s resolution.

Speaking of scary, if you’re easily startled by dark and horrific films, then pack an extra skin suit because your skeleton might just jump away from you during a few scenes.  One in particular, Nagini vs. Harry Potter.  The fight was scary enough, but tension was built up to an all time high as the terrifying Bagshot disguised snake made me want to shut my eyes and hold my wife until it was over!

Very disappointing is the lack of familiar faces such as Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton and Michael Gambon, but clearly the film’s ownership was with the story’s protagonists.  David Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have shown their acting maturity in their masterful performances in this 7^th film.  Even at such a young age, they have proven themselves to be masters at their craft. 

The film has the overbearing task of explaining everything in preparation for the second half of the story without making itself 10 hours long.  Many worries were a float amongst fans as to how exactly Yates and company were going to accomplish this.  While there’s still a lot of craziness thrown at us with all the Horcrux and Voldemort jargon, Yates still finds an opportunity to give us a vividly imaginative animated scene explaining the back story behind the Deathly Hallows.  In and of itself, it’s an amazing experience and didn’t have a disconnected feel from the story itself.  Likewise, the entire film, while being a slower paced film as a way of delving into the whiney and moping emotions of the characters, presents many exciting and fun scenes that keep the film moving and enjoyable to watch.  The action is incredible and never wavers, but isn’t overwhelming. 

In comparison with the book, I honestly didn’t feel as though I was missing something.  Sure, we don’t get the touching moment of “fond farewell” with the Dursleys, and none of the extensive conversations between numerous characters are given full attention, but everything important was hit upon without sacrificing the story’s meaning or forgetting the characters personalities.  I will always consider the book immensely better, but the film’s quality should never be in question. 

I enjoyed this film very much and consider it to be the best of the Harry Potter cinematic franchise.  Does it match up with the book?  Of course not.  But in and of itself, it is an incredibly executed film that doesn’t revert to Hollywood stupidity of dumbing down the story purely to satisfy the needs of those who haven’t read the books.  I suspect that the majority of film goers who embark on this Potter journey will leave happy and anxious for the final part.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars