DVD Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I

DVD Review
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Price: Rs 599
Reliance Home Video
Film: '1/2
Extras: ''''

This first installment of the last Harry Potter film got good reviews from critics and audiences alike, who thought it got the spirit and texture of JK Rowling's spellbinding seventh novel just right. Add to that, spectacular locations, action and a thrilling build up to the climax that we will see in the second part this July, and you have a winning recipe for success.



The DVD, a 2-disc special edition, has an entire CD of special features -- always heartening when a film this big has had so much CG animation and special effects poured into it. Pity then, that the DVD itself isn't a 3D version -- we would have killed to see the initial chase sequence on Hagrid's motorcycle with real-life spells shooting of out of the screen.

The Seven Harrys, which shows you how exactly seven different actors were all transformed into Harry Potter clones for the decoy escape at the beginning of the film is a must-watch for anyone who's ever wondered how computers can create those wondrous special effects. Director David Yates and Daniel Radcliffe take you through the process in loving detail -- from how each actor had to wear ultraviolet make-up and make expressions as they transformed into Harry, to Radcliffe having to observe, imitate and act out each actor's unique mannerisms, gait and expressions as they 'transformed' into him. As Radcliffe puts it, "It's the movie equivalent of doing a magic trick."

On The Green with Rupert, Tom, Oliver and James is a peek at the friendship of the cast off screen as they head off to play some golf together. Something that die-hard fans will love. What we loved though, were some of the audition shots of the actors, ten years younger, before the filming of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) is bang on when he says, "It's my favourite film. We all look so cute!" No arguments there.

Then there's a series of mini-documentaries that show you how Harry and the gang had to learn scuba diving to recreate the frozen lake scene in a real tank that was then merged into CG graphics, as well as a look at the recreation of one of movie's scariest scenes -- the battle against the fearsome Nagini (who is essentially, a boxing glove attached to a stick).
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Get this DVD if you are eager to lap up every little bit of information on one of the biggest movie phenomenona of our time.