Guest blogger Emeni Rice reviews the first part of the of the last installment of the Harry Potter franchise, The Deathly Hallows.

The beginning of the end has arrived. The first part of the final adventure, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, follows our heroes Harry, Ron and Hermione as they seek out to destroy the sources of Voldemort’s immortality, the Horcruxes. Far away from home and loved ones, from the safety and protection of Hogwarts, from the care of their parents, guardians, professors, they have only each other to rely on and begin to feel the strain of their responsibilities. Grim and dark as ever with director Yates at the helm, we’re forced to forget about the cosy, enchanting world of magic, butterbeer and Quidditch; interrogation and torture and death have taken their place. The Ministry of Magic has been taken over by Death Eaters and, as the tagline proclaims, ‘Nowhere Is Safe’. It’s bleak and frightening and as Ron Weasley might say, it’s bloody brilliant!

Yes it’s dark and gloomy but hey, have you read the books? Like any good story there’s tragedy, loss and pain in abundance before we reach the light at the end of the tunnel. You have to earn a happy ending after all. There are still laughs to be had in this film though some tinged with sadness, and OK I had a lump in my throat within the first five minutes as Hermione leaves her parents and Hagrid arrives to protect Harry on his final departure from No.4 Privet Drive. But times are changing and our kids have all grown up (seriously, Daniel has pecs and everything!). There are plenty of thrills to be had, with a sky-high battle between Harry’s protectors and Death Eaters, a motorcycle with sidecar chase through the Dartford Tunnel, and infiltration of the Ministry in poly-juice disguises. There’s a lovely piece of shadow-animation too portraying the story of the Deathly Hallows.

Bellatrix Lestrange (Bonham-Carter in top form) scares the crackers out of me, Voldemort repulses, Nagini nauseates, Draco evokes pity. Is it one for the younger kids who’ve recently joined Harry’s legion of fans? Not really (I’m 30 odd years and found the torture elements a little squeamish truth be told!) but for those who have grown up with the books, films and Daniel, Rupert and Emma this is definitely to be seen and on the big screen.

A final special mention to a fourth hero, Dobby, former house-elf to the Malfoys and friend of Harry, firm and true. He may be CGI but people, have a hanky at the ready, you have been warned!

Go watch and be spellbound.

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Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part I
Release Date: 19 November 2010
Cert: 12A
Director: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Helen Bonham-Carter