I'm not really sure that I should be reviewing a Harry Potter movie. Being a big fan of the books, I've dutifully seen each movie in theater without hesitation. While I usually mostly enjoy them, I always have to remind myself to not be a pedantic nerd about everything. There's always something that the filmmakers changed from the way it "really happened," and it takes me out of the movie. Is this silly? Probably. Can I change? No! I've had it up to here with the fact that the movies don't do the patronuses right! Why is this so hard?!Quibbling aside, this was a pretty good movie, which surprised me. The story eschews the standard Hogwarts setting in favor of a series of wizarding and real world locales that Harry P. and the gang visit while searching for the horcruxes that must be destroyed to kill that awful Voldemort. The book has a reputation for being nothing but camping, camping, camping, but I thought the change of setting was a good way to reduce Hogwarts fatigue.
I don't know if it is enjoyable for Non Potter-fans. The flying-around, wand-waving wizard stuff is exciting and the cast is as engaging and wonderful as ever. However, I think those that haven't immersed themselves in Potter lore might find themselves a bit lost. The horcruxes weren't explained (or re-explained since their introduction in The Half-Blood Prince), certain actions and things happened and weren't really explained, but The Deathly Hallows were explained through a nice animated sequence. Mundungus, who was cut out of The Order of the Pheonix, was awkwardly introduced here in an early scene so that he could fulfill his plot-given duties and will probably never be heard of again. Oh wow, I just realized that I'm being a pedantic nerd again.
Cost/Benefit analysis: I paid full price, like every good HP fan should. I got to see the nice special effects on a big screen and got to laugh at the awkward dancing along with the rest of the audience. Worth it.
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