Harry Potter - Not awful, but not great

Ok, so not suprisingly a huge group of us went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 last night. I had previously read some reviews to prepare myself, and they weren't overwhelming - as many of the other films aren't. So, I must admit i went into the cinema, not in a brilliant mood and with a critical mind.

 I love the books, but the films just seem to miss something, forgetting some charm. I usually account this to the often apalling acting abilities of its leads, but actually, in this film they are not bad. Daniel Radcliffe still leaves something to be desired as our main protagonist, though to be fair to him, I've discovered through the reading of the seven books that actually Harry is a pretty annoying character, so there's only so much you can do as an actor. Rupert Grint was pretty standard, bringing his light "comical" moments, and going off in a jealous strop as per usual. But for me, Emma Watson was the suprise. I've never really liked her as hermione - with the exception maybe of the first few films - she always played hermione a little too whiney and neurotic and this didn't sit right with me. However, in the Deathly Hallows, she actually puts in a really good performance, showing a more gentle and less frantic side to the character of Hermione, and actually in my opinion carries the film.

   So what else? Well, I pretty much think they should have made one four hour film, possibly with a little toilet break in the middle (no, seriously). It may seem like a book of two halves, but one half definitley has a lot more going on in it than the other, and as two films, this doesn't really work. Furthermore, to split it in half is to lose something, whether story or charisma, it is ruining the whole. This is seen in part one, in the way in which the scenes that could have been brilliant, such as Godrics Hollow and their discovery at malfoys mansion were only lingered on briefly before going back to three characters in the forest.

   This isn't an awful film, the cast are better, the mood is right, the special effects, as always are pretty special and the intentions are there. However, splitting this novel in half was a mistake and this is seen in the lack of actual action and a feeling of disjointedness.
Not awful, not great, just scrapes a 3 out of 5.