Not Just Another review..!

Move over all the singing portraits, revolving staircases, flying cars and ghosts chatting with the students in the mid-air. And welcome to the real world of Harry Potter, which is insightful in mystery, bursting with adventure and thoughtful in emotions. For the sake of understanding this review, let’s divide the audience into magical population- those who’ve read the book and the muggles (non-magic people). Some might not appreciate me for this, but I’m a self-confessed HP maniac. I do wish I had an invisibility cloak, wish I could transfigure things (no, not people) and apparate at will.
Recently I went (along with rest of the world) to watch JK Rowling’s fifth literary creation brought to life on screen. I couldn’t help but notice a few muggles sitting besides me and the way they were reacting throughout the film.
I went a good half hour prior to the screening time, was the first one to wait nearest to the theatre’s entrance and practically bustled myself inside the moment the doors opened. (The muggles were busy debating whether to buy the extra large popcorn bucket..). I waited with baited breath for the magic to begin. It did and how!
The movie commences exactly like the book with Dudley getting attacked by the dementors (for muggles- the ghost-like creatures who can suck all the happiness out of you) in the most unpredictable location of No.4 Privet Drive. A few details are altered with the scene immediately switching to Harry being left alone at home, only to find himself in the company of his rescuers. The scene that follows is spectacular with Harry along with the rest of the wizards fly with the wind over the waters of London, with the city sparkling at night below them. (at this point the muggles were thinking of the movie not being so incomprehensible afterall!)You enjoy yourselves thoroughly and fancy the movie just like you did while watching the previous HP movies. Until…the moment comes when Harry meets with his two best friends. Instead of the usual greeting, he snaps at them, leaving them and the audience in state of disbelief. It is about time you realize that Harry is no longer a kid and that HP is something more than mere magic and fantasy. Also all the moments he shares with his Godfather especially the one when he confronts him and tells him about his persisting rage, is worth noting. It is the scenes like these that assures you that there are some things that go beyond sheer special effects (although they will enthrall your senses in this movie).
The movie then progresses in a positive direction, expanding the lines of the 766-page long book and intensifying the plot. With no unnecessary introduction to Quidditch, Dobby or Hagrid’s tale, which goes fairly unnoticeable, the plot further thickens as the movie evolves. While the scenes like Sirius appearing in the fire (which left the muggles around me thoroughly disgruntled) there are few scenes like the trio discussing Harry and Cho’s relationship, Hermione and Ron’s dueling and entry of the evil Professor Umbridge that had the muggles around me smile slightly. (I was in splits!). By the time the movie reaches the intermission, I noticed that the muggle on my left stifling a yawn, while the muggle to his left looked like he was in a Divination lecture (for muggles- that’s the lesson during which even Harry sleeps), and I quite didn’t get the expression of the third one in the dark.
The movie continues. The muggles return with double the quantity of popcorn than before, expecting (read, hoping) to get their money’s worth at least in the second half. While the Ministry scenes are directed in accordance to the book, special effects done for Hagrid’s brother- the giant Grawp are noteworthy. The trio along with some of their selected friends who volunteer to accompany them reach the Ministry, follow the instructions of Harry’s “vision”, only to find out that they are being tricked by Voldemort (oops…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named) (for muggles- the ultimate villain and the guy who killed Harry’s parents and made him “The” Harry Potter). The rest is just like the book. They all are captured by the Death-eaters (For Muggles- Lord Voldemort’s supporters) and held at stake till the Dark Lord himself appears to fight his equal.
The scene with Dumbledore and Voldemort coming face-to-face to duel had the muggles in a bit of awe. (Only because of the magnificent special effects). And the one where Harry reacts after he witnesses death of his loved one brought their continuous popcorn- munching to a momentary halt. (The scene had me shed tears)…(ok, cry buckets…but whatever!)
Harry then drops at Dumbledore’s feet possessed by the Dark Lord himself. (Muggles near me were wondering what on earth was happening). The rest, well the magical population knows and the muggles are no longer bothered.
But what left even me, a die-hard Potter fanatic a bit disappointed is the absence of the heart-to-heart, revealing and gripping conversation between Harry and Dumbledore at the end, which forms the crust of the book. (screw the time constraints..)
But of course between what should have been and what is, the movie leaves you with utmost satisfaction. Rich in its content, full of emotions and splendid in adventure this movie surely acts as a prologue for the seventh book.
I silently come out of the theatre (after all the credits finally stop rolling ofcourse) engulfed with a wave of mixed emotions.
Will there ever be someone as astonishing as Harry? Will you ever love any teacher in the world more than Prof.Dumbledore? Or will there ever be a person who you loathe more than Snape? And even if you try your best, where would you find better friends than Ron and Hermione!? After living with Harry for so many years, it's difficult to bring it to a closing stage. The thought keeps on haunting me, (especially now that the end is just three days away when the final book makes it's grand entry...). There is an excitement that is unrivaled and at the same time a sense of bereavement. You feel like one of your extended family member is about to leave you forever. The non-readers believe it's insanity. But for the readers, there will be nothing like Harry for the rest of their lives. We all will be saying Good-Bye to Harry in our own ways and request the muggles not to interfere (for their own good).
Yes, that's what Harry Potter does to you...It makes you escape the reality, sit on the edge of your seat and beg for more...

Devashree P.S