Mostly the second, probably. However, that doesn't mean this movie isn't pretty darn good; in fact, it has quite a few good things going for it. Because the final book was split into two sections, the film is able to explore a different level of thematic ground than we have seen with many of the earlier installments in the series. This is combined with the apparent fact that Warner Brothers is playing this one fairly laissev faire, obviously due to the reality that they know that the film will be a huge financial success with our without their input. This allows director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves to add in some less conventional touches, like a flawlessly executed animation sequence, for example.
The cinematography is truly an accomplishment as well. From effective wide shots of single characters walking down empty streets to the first scene's ambitious "close up," everything here works.
But just as Harry has part of Voldemort within him from his attempted murder, this mainly successful film has its downfalls as well. Even though the performances from the three leads are overall successful, some of the monologues given fall a little flat (sorry, Ron,) especially in the resolution of the romantic subplot. "It went though my heart, straight through!" Ugh, spare me. I have also had more than my fill of Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange. We get it, she's "crazy," or "goth," or "creepy," or whatever. While this comment may anger all of my readers who happen to be brooding Potter fans (all zero of you,) I won't take it back: Helena Bonham Carter needs to tone it down here.
My only other complaint for the film is that somewhere late in the second act things begin to slow down. Nothing happens, and for a fairly lengthy amount of time. The movie is about two and a half hours long, and some parts could obviously be taken out of that section.
This film obviously impressed me, but because I've never read the book, I'm not the opinion for which some of you are looking. To give you an idea of how it fairs for someone who has, the friend with whom I saw this movie, who had read the book, had the following reaction after the final scene: with a strange combination of catharsis and satisfaction on his face, he said, "That was...accurate." Make of that what you will.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows gets an A-.
