Almost ten years ago, the first Harry Potter was released. The actors were young, the graphics were alright, and overall, the film was average. Ten years later, the seventh installment comes forth, in the age of the 3D glasses gimmick and completely blows away the visuals of all its preceding films and most 3D films currently released without having to stoop to the trend.
From the opening credits of the film, “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part One” is visually stunning. The moving camera and title sequences work so well that the film “feels” 3D, something most 3D films cannot even accomplish. The moving graphics at the edge of screen, like Snape flying in a puff of black smoke at the start of the film, pulls of this three-dimensional feel as well. Needless to say, the nominations given to the seventh Harry Potter are well placed.
The question remains how well will it hold up to its competitors. Best Art Direction will most likely go to either “Alice in Wonderland” or “The King’s Speech”. That being said, the seventh Harry Potter will probably not sneaks its way into the win and if it does, it will have done just that and snuck the prize. Best Visual Effects had better go to “Inception”, once again, leaving Harry Potter out of the equation.
Originally, I had predicted Harry Potter to be nominated for Best Visual Effects and the Art Direction is a perfect fitting nomination, but sadly, that is all it will remain on the accreditation for the film, nominee and not winner. Four of the six previous Harry Potter films have been up for nominations at prior Academy Awards, yet none have ever taken the prize and I have to say, hopefully the final film can pull it off (though the eighth film will be 3D and I really do not see that helping its chances). As for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One”, there is no real chance it will take any Oscars home come ceremony time.
(17 OF 41 FILMS REMAINING)-(14 DAYS TO OSCARS)
