Harry Potter and friends begin the final showdown with evil Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. However, the seventh in the wizard’s series is the beginning of the end.

Much of the plot of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows involves the attempt to find and destroy a series of Horcruxes, and if one hasn?t a clue about what they are or why they’re important,one might as well stay home. Harry Potter is a saga that defines the generation. The story of true friendship is challenged in this installment. The ties became loose and Voldemort is closing in.

There is something different, however, about this Potter movie, and that is the “Part 1” that end the title. Understandably distraught about “Hallows” being the last of the phenomenally popular J.K. Rowling novels, Warner Bros. has split the final effort into two films and is likely kicking itself for not having thought of that with the earlier books.

Part 1 provides exposition for the grand finale. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine must find and destroy Voldemort?s Horcruxes before confronting the dark lord. The friendship goes through incredible measures: traveling, exposed by the Death Eaters, battling in the streets of London with the possibility of exposure, infiltrating the Ministry of Magic etc. The Deathly Hallows Part 1 was one of the most complex, heart breaking, and beautiful cinematic piece out of the last six films. What this part does so well is leaves the moviegoer sentimental but assured.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? opens with Lord Voldemort?s return to power and his declaration that it is only he who will kill Harry Potter. Since he cannot do so with his wand, Voldemort takes away the wand of Lucius Malfoy. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione and Ron drop out of Hogwarts and begin their search of the Horcruxes.

Though there have been complaints about the script, and the film does show signs of dull moments in between, it surely makes up for those moments by the end. Transitions from scenes were either bland or abrupt. The ?end? of one character is lightly recognized. However, the dull moments were very much borrowed from the book itself so director David Yates has minimal blame remaining congruent to the story. With all that said, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was definitely the darkest film of the Potter series. Watch out for the thrilling dark side of Harry and of course his kiss to friend Hermione, which raised a lot of eyebrows, and also irked parents who took their little ones to the theaters!

You don’t make $5.7 billion in theatrical revenue, however, by being cavalier about your source material. The watchword for the “Potter” series in general, and this film in particular, is making the audience feel like it’s in safe hands. Capable and dependable, director David Yates can be counted on to make solid surprising film that connects the dots and creates risky excitement.