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year at Hogwarts. As the characters grow and enter adolescence, the story
too grows more sinister. The plot becomes murky as Harry is ostracised by
his peers and tormented by his new Defence against the Dark Arts
teacher, Dolores Umbridge.
The Ministry of Magic refuses to accept the glaringly obvious return of Lord
Voldemort and accuses Harry and Dumbledore of spreading fear.
Frustrated by the lack of proper guidance, the Golden Trio decide to take
matters into their own hands. Guided by Harry Potter, a group of students
start an association by the name of Dumbledores Army to train
themselves against the inevitable war that lies ahead of them.
Parallel to this story, a second storyline unfolds. Harry Potter struggles
with the growing presence of Lord Voldemort in his mind. Lord Voldemort
has gained considerable power and is using Occlumency to control Harry.
Additionally, Harrys adolescent urge to be treated like an adult widens the
void between him and his well-wishers.
Voldemort strikes by planting a false image of Sirius being kidnapped in
Harrys mind. Harry runs to save his godfather, resulting in an epic, yet
comically directed battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore. The movie
ends with Sirius tragic death and the unearthing of a crucial piece of the
puzzle. Dumbledore tells Harry about the prophecy which is responsible for
his parents death. It states that neither can live while the other survives,
which they take to mean that Harry is to be the saviour of the Wizarding
World.
The film has been well directed with a gloomy soundtrack and a dark
colour palette. However, the scenes seem to jump randomly as Yates
struggles to cram the longest Harry Potter book into a 2 hour movie.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly) have evolved as actors. The wonderful
performances by Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Alan Rickman (Severus
Snape) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) sufficiently cover up for the flaws
and hitches in the adaptation. The grand finale, which is the epic
showdown between Dumbledore and Voldemort is exaggerated and
slightly comical.
During the film, we find ourselves detesting Harry. Harrys previous battle
with Voldemort and Cedric Diggorys death has somehow caused him to
develop an inflated ego and a God complex. He has shed his innocence. As
Harry is trivialised and tortured, he further pushes his friends away.
According to me, it is in this film that Harry craves for a parent the most.
Thus he heavily depends on his godfather, Sirius. Harry has a difficult
choice to make. He can either chose to succumb to Voldemorts will and
serve Voldemort, or he can try to fight Voldemort off. Harry manages to
resist the temptation of power. He realises that Voldemort will never know
love and friendship and overcomes his dark phase.