Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

As this action-packed adventure based on the first half of J.K. Rowling's final Harry Potter novel begins, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) have fled from the protection of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his evil followers—including Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter), and Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) and his son, Draco (Tom Felton)—have taken control of England's Ministry of Magic. Trying to elude the ominous Death Eaters, the adolescent trio are on a mission to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes (objects that contain bits of Voldemort's soul), as they are forced to battle dark forces, including the huge snake Nagini. The creepy search leads them to Harry's birthplace, where they uncover surprising truths about their unexpected bequests from late Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). Along the way, loyalties between Harry, Hermione, and Ron are sorely tested. Directed by veteran David Yates (who helmed the last two entries in the series), this is far more perilous, intense, and realistic than previous installments. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include additional scenes (11 min.) and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the “Maximum Movie Mode” feature that plays throughout the film with “Focus Points” available for separate viewing (20 min.), an “On the Green” segment with cast members Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, and Oliver and James Phelps playing a round of golf (14 min.), a segment on “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” theme park attraction (7 min.), “The Seven Harrys” featurette with star Daniel Radcliffe (6 min.), a “Dan, Rupert, and Emma's Running Competition” featuring costars Radcliffe, Grint, and Emma Watson (3 min.), and behind-the-scenes segments on “Godric's Hollow/The Harry and Nagini Battle” (6 min.), “The Frozen Lake” (4 min.), and the soundtrack (4 min.), as well as an opening scene from the highly anticipated sequel, the BD-Live function, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: an excellent extras package for a winning franchise entry.] (S. Granger)