Magical adventure should please fans

Gainsayers of Harry Potter are quick to point out that all the films follow this thread – Voldemort rears his noseless head and Harry sends him packing.

This latest instalment – the first of two films that will conclude the series – is a little less predictable, writes Eve Hawksworth.

Unlike the previous films, the story takes place outside Hogwarts; the three principal characters, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) shun school life to save the wizarding world, searching to destroy the Horcruxes (fragments of Voldemort’s soul) and stumbling upon the Deathly Hallows, three items that would make the owner master of death.

The splitting of the final book should please fans – the film toes the line of JK Rowling’s originally intended plot to a fault. For casual watchers this will make it seem slow paced, as the penultimate film is basically just building tension for the – perhaps overdue – climax.

That’s not to say that the film isn’t well crafted, it’s by far the best display of acting we’ve seen from the central trio. Radcliffe and Watson, previously prone to coming across as unconvincing and stitled, finally succeed in making their scenes serious and heartfelt.

As the threesome wander through relative wilderness their relationships are tested - underlying tensions and rivalry are finally brought to the forefront, as well as some more touching and light hearted moments, such as the flirtation between Hermione and Ron.

The more senior members of the cast, often accused of carrying the story in terms of good acting, are seen less often and are overshadowed by Grint, Watson and Radcliffe.

The mood of the film is satisfyingly ominous, but not altogether frightening. Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his cronies fail to be much more than slightly creepy. Where usually the films excel in their scariest and most action packed scenes, these seem lacklustre in comparison to the self-discovery of Hermione, Ron and Harry.

The film is flawed, but it’s also the best of the series so far. It may be a film that will appeal more to fans, not critics, but there are still enough pleasant surprises to keep all audiences hooked for part two.