Harry Potter the end Part 1 - First Reviews

Did you know....

The first five Potter films have made £2.5 billion in box office receipts - more than any other movie series - which means they could afford to spend £150 million on making this film

Sadly, for this writer anyway, the action does not take place at Hogwarts but actually out in the big wide world where the gang must fend for themselves and where everyone is a potential enemy!

But the final book is not the final film - no cleverly Warner Bros have turned this into a two part ending so this is THE END part one and they get to do it all MORE next year!! Lucrative eh?

"So Part I is the beginning of the end, and director David Yates sets out his stall early. "These are dark times, there is no denying," intones a doomy Bill Nighy in the opening scenes. The wizarding world has become a very dangerous place." Anita Singh of the Telegraph earlier this evening who gave it a 5 star rating.

Not quite so ecstatic Xan Brooks of the Guardian

"It's going, going, almost gone, and yet its long goodbye comes in two separate instalments: a prolonged death rattle that begins with tonight's London premiere of part one, and won't conclude until the release of part two in July 2011. Only then can the wake begin."

With great Wizardry the final book of celebrated author J K Rowling has been split asunder and as if by magic two parts created - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 hitting this Christmas and Part 2 concluding the saga next summer.

Chris Tilly - IGN UK says
"The filmmakers claim that the decision was taken to do justice to J.K. Rowling's lengthy final tome, and while it does allow the audience to spend more time with these beloved characters at this most significant time, one can't escape the feeling that Part 1 is all set-up and no pay-off, resulting in a somewhat empty cinematic experience."

Harry Potter trying to catch the Golden Snitch

So will we take on board what the reviewers say or will we make up our own minds?  Those who enjoy can go and enjoy, for not one but two final times, and those who don't can stay at home and grumble.
Situation normal then.

For me, if they don't play Quidditch I lose all interest !!!