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The First Look at the Final Chapter

By TK | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (51)

deathly_hallows_official_1.jpg

So here’s the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final chapter of the ubiquitous Harry Potter series. Or at least, part one of the final chapter, since Deathly Hallows is actually going to be split into two films. The series has had its ups and downs, but Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth film, ended on a strong note, so hopes are high for director David Yates’s conclusion to the series.

That said, this teaser trailer sucks. It’s boring, it shows exactly nothing, and it’s essentially just an EW shoot committed to video. I was under the impression that first-looks and teaser trailers were supposed to provide some tantalizing hook that would get people interested in the film. Except that the first images of Deathly Hallows and now this trailer have been thoroughly uninteresting.

That said, we are still more than a full year from the first part of Deathly Hallows’ release. The issues with the trailer are more a statement about the marketing department than the film itself. We’ll see as the months progress how things go, but I’m desperately hoping that they go out on top.


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Comments

As a resident Potterphile, I would like to say a few things.
a) You don't have to start faux advertising a year in advance, especially if you aren't actually showing much.
b) You shouldn't leak every scene from a movie before it's release (I'm looking at you, Half Blood Prince).
c) We are less than a year from the release date; November 19, 2010.

I absolutely love the books, and most of the movies, but I was unimpressed with the overall production of Half Blood Prince. There were some amazing moments, but as a representation of the book, solid meh. I'm going to do my best to avoid all of the leaked clips and pics for Deathly Hallows, because it ruined HBP for me.

Posted by: Patty O'Green at December 7, 2009 11:00 AM

Most of the Deathly Hallows was pretty boring in any case, so I'm not surprised the movie lives up to its source material. Kids hide in the woods, get chased, hide, get angsty, hide...yeah, it wasn't riveting stuff.

Posted by: Wednesday at December 7, 2009 11:11 AM

As another resident Potterphile, I'd also like to say a few things.
a) I too was meh'd out by HBP. Good book -- made me cry at the end. Visually cool but thoroughly frustrating movie -- main takeaway was DON'T FUCK WITH THE GOOD PARTS. Change the little details, if you want. Mess with the timeline, if it helps. But don't ruin the end of HBP like you did with the end of OotP.
b) Hermione is getting way blond
c) I fervently hope that this movie will just be subtitled "the evil chronicles" and will follow the progress of Snape, Voldemort, and the Malfoys as they bask in the glory of attractiveness and good acting.

Posted by: esme at December 7, 2009 11:11 AM

Thoroughly uninteresting?

Ya got Ollivander, Griphook, Godric's Hollow, Shell Cottage and the splinch!

Well...it's probably not a great trailer in itself, but it's not bad fanwank.

Posted by: Jay at December 7, 2009 11:25 AM

i'm still excited for this...harry potter still turns me into a squealing 12 year old.

Posted by: jvo at December 7, 2009 11:29 AM

c) I fervently hope that this movie will just be subtitled "the evil chronicles" and will follow the progress of Snape, Voldemort, and the Malfoys as they bask in the glory of attractiveness and good acting.

So. Much. WORD.

I would also be content to just watch (and especially listen to) Alan Rickman read the phonebook aloud for the entire movie. Jason Isaacs could make a cameo appearance and bring his movie-son.

Posted by: Vanessa at December 7, 2009 11:32 AM

Last sentence in the trailer, "If it's true, you don't stand a chance." Is that in the book? I don't remember any line like that. Are they fucking with the wording already?

Posted by: BWeaves at December 7, 2009 11:46 AM

Holy foam tombstones, Batman! Those are some cheap looking Halloween-grade gravemarkers in that cemetery. I wonder if they used the pink or the blue insulation for those beauties? Must have taken a whole twenty minutes with the electric carving knife before being shoved in the ground and coated with the snow machine.

Posted by: Robert at December 7, 2009 11:47 AM

Vanessa: I would watch that movie.

Brunette and Blonds: In My Pants

Posted by: BWeaves at December 7, 2009 11:49 AM

Then again, I'm also hoping the 2nd Hobbit movie consists of Ian Holm writing "There and Back Again" while Aragorn, Legolas and Lucius Malfoy look over his shoulder. OK, I have a thing for blonds and it's my fantasy.

Posted by: BWeaves at December 7, 2009 11:52 AM

Most of the Deathly Hallows was pretty boring in any case, so I'm not surprised the movie lives up to its source material. Kids hide in the woods, get chased, hide, get angsty, hide...yeah, it wasn't riveting stuff.
Posted by: Wednesday at December 7, 2009 11:11 AM

First, ouch. Second, no. I loved that book. I couldn't stop reading the damn thing. There were a few dull spots, but that book was pretty much solid action and intrigue with two or three chapters of dull. Plus, some of the characters really got fleshed out beautifully. Without spoiling anything, I felt more or less on the fence about where the series was going before the last book, but the last few chapters blew me away.

Still, it'll be interesting to see how they handle the not-at-all kiddy material, from violence and gore to actual honest-to-God swearing. Interesting to see.

Posted by: Christian H. at December 7, 2009 12:36 PM

I've read all of the books the day they came out. I saw the first five films at the midnight showing.

I still haven't seen Half-Blood Prince.

Color me un-curious.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at December 7, 2009 1:06 PM

I will pay serious cash to witness Ma Weasley calling Bellatrix LeStrange a bitch. Whatever happens before and after will be frosting on the cake.

Posted by: Kolby at December 7, 2009 1:10 PM

I think that will be in the last film, Kolby. I'm also looking forward to that, but not to the parts before that. They made me cry. Damn you, Rowling!

Let's all look on the bright side of this: at least it's not another fucking Twilight movie, eh?

Posted by: Joker at December 7, 2009 1:53 PM

All I know is that if they don't include Molly Weasley's "Get away from my daughter, BITCH" and McGonnagol (spelling?) and her galloping tables, then I will personally cut a bitch.

Ahem. Saddest part is that Emma Thompson isn't coming back to be the crazy divination professor, so I guess there won't be the dropping of crystal balls onto the bad guys' heads.

Can you tell the final fight scene is my most favorite thing ever?

Posted by: Fi at December 7, 2009 2:00 PM

TK, did you really say that HBP ended on a "strong note"? :/ That had to have been the worst movie so far in terms of everything being messed with and a whole lot of nothing going on. OotP wasn't much better (especially with Sirius Black's death), but it at least meandered only a little from point A to point B. Serious character fleshing-out was cut, and even I had to strain to remember why the prophecy was so important, but other than that, it pales to HBP. Maybe I'm just mad that Tonks/Lupin was reduced to nothing more than extended cameos in the movie when a decent portion of the book was dedicated to figuring out it wasn't Black who Tonks was mourning, but Lupin's rejection of her love. :( And they both die in DH (if I'm remembering correctly -- also, suck on it if I spoiled it for anyone, the book's been out forever!), so how are they going to handle that?

Posted by: duckandcover at December 7, 2009 2:04 PM

@ Fi: no Emma Thompson? Sad. She's an awesome Trelawney. And they have to include that quote from Mrs. Weasley, they just have to. Possibly the best line in the whole series.

@Vanessa: YES to Alan Rickman reading the phonebook. Best voice ever.

Posted by: Katie at December 7, 2009 2:07 PM

I love how you crazy bitches make me feel at home.

Thank you, Christian, for pointing out Wednesday's craziness. And if I may follow duckandcover's lead and screw spoiling (ahem)...
DOOOOBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

It would be OK with me if the entire second film was the Battle of Hogwarts. And I say we show crystal balls falling from above, even if they don't show Trelawney. She only skipped out in order to make a sequel to Nanny McPhee, so I don't much care about her at this exact second. Oh, reading these comments reminds me that I MUST read it again! I have only read it twice, because it is so difficult to get through. I'm kind of a crybaby anyway, and that book is amped up on sad, as well as awesome.

TEAM MOLLY!

Posted by: Patty O'Green at December 7, 2009 2:19 PM

I'm actually quite shocked to see how many Potterphiles there are on Pajiba.

The stories are interesting, and she has one heck of an imagination, but J.K. Rowling's writing SUUUUUUUUUCKS. That might be why I like the movies better than the books.

Posted by: Jelinas at December 7, 2009 2:27 PM

Rowling's writing is fine. It's a children's fantasy series, so I'm not expecting Tolkein here, and her writing style matures along with the intended audience with each novel. Compare and contrast to Stephenie Meyer, who is ostensibly writing for a higher age bracket, but comes off as a much less mature author. And slightly retarded.

Posted by: Craig at December 7, 2009 2:41 PM

slightly?

Posted by: Skewicide Blonde at December 7, 2009 2:42 PM

Rowling's writing style is fine. It's a kiddy book. Have you read many lately? I usually do before I give them to my nieces and nephews so we can discuss them. Most kiddy books (I'm looking at you NARNIA) introduce characters or special items and then never bring them up again. Rowling at least will introduce things that become important later on in the stories. She doesn't drop story lines. After you've read as much bad kiddie lit as I have, you appreciate the good stuff.

Posted by: BWeaves at December 7, 2009 2:46 PM

True, some of those wilderness camping-out parts are a bit heavy to wade through, but it's such a worthwhile journey.

And, true, J.K. Rowling does not have the most fluid prose, but let's compare her to Stephenie Meyer. Personally, I'll take Rowling every time.

Posted by: bonnie at December 7, 2009 2:55 PM

I punched the air and screamed "YES!" when I first read whole Molly "NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" bit.
It still makes me tear up to this day. God, I'm such a loser - and proud of it.

Posted by: Squeeziee at December 7, 2009 3:15 PM

I think I've been disappointed by every Potter film thus far, especially the last two. That being said, I will be there at midnight for this, without question.

JKR is not a perfect author, but at least she has the sense not to use "ghost" as a verb. Repeatedly. In a single book. MEYERS.

Posted by: Lauren at December 7, 2009 3:19 PM

Love Harry Potter. Just sayin'.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at December 7, 2009 3:21 PM

Well, everyone has said everything I might have said.

Molly Weasley calling Lestrange a bitch? check
The sexy voice of Rickman? check
A strong, almost swooning desire to see a movie exclusively about the evil Slytherins? check
Defending Rowling's writing? check
Admitting to liking this stuff in the first place? check check check.

God, a girl wakes up after noon and you bitches leave nothing left!!

Posted by: myysharona (formerly Sharon) at December 7, 2009 4:18 PM

I agree with the general consensus in the comments of "meh" for the HBP movie. The heavy focus on the melodrama between Ron and Hermione was a big turn-off. I don't remember it being that central in the book, although I've only read it twice and that was a few years ago.
But anyway, I'll admit that even though this teaser was also "meh," it still made my insides feel all !LYKEOMGHARRYPOTTERLASTBOOKSQUEEEEEEE!*cough*ahem*, excited.

Posted by: gee. ay. at December 7, 2009 4:21 PM

I think Rowling is an amazing story teller, but she is not a great writer. However, this only occurred to me after multiple listens of the audio books, so I completely understand when others try to argue this point. Also, the first few books were most definitely written for children; the last three were not. Young adult, not children. There are huge writing, content and style differences between the first 3 and the last 3 books (the fourth is in between).

Posted by: Scully at December 7, 2009 4:28 PM

And why is her writing exempt from quality just because these books are written for children and young adults? That's no excuse; there are plenty of fantastically written books for the young ones. See: The Bartimaeus Trilogy.

Posted by: Scully at December 7, 2009 4:32 PM

add another potterphile to the bunch. I love Harry Potter with every fiber of my being. I think she is a wonderful story teller and a great writer. Her writing is clear and concise and often beautiful especially when Dumbledore is speaking. She doesn't use as much description as say a Tolkien would but who the hell wants more of Tolkien's 30 page descriptions of scenery and such. 3 is quite enough. Her prose is more trenched in conversation and character development through that, which is very Austen in tone. I am a huge fan and listen to the audio books religiously on my drives home from university. Oh the velvety goodness of Jim Dale's voice.

The trailer: I feel like they haven't added too many special effects yet so the trailer is kinda barren due to that. They just realized they at least needed one for the dvd release. I totally agree with not leaking too much footage. I really felt like I had already seen HPB going in. That said I still mostly loved it despite the super lame changes, time spent on Ron and Hermione and the ever annoying Bonnie Wright.

They just had better get the dive for the sword of Gryffindor scene right. I'll be so angry if the power of that scene is lost.

All in all I'm as giddy as a school girl with excitement for the final Harry Potter: Harry Potter and the epic camping trip.

Posted by: E-Money at December 7, 2009 4:55 PM

Can it be next year yet? I feel like I've been waiting forever for these movies to come out. And while I'm excited that they're splitting the last book into 2 movies (they better not be LEAVING SHIT OUT like they have with ALL THE OTHER MOVIES), I might have to skip seeing part two in the theaters. I'm thinking that's pretty much when everyone dies, and I try to avoid being a sobbing mess in public.

Also, as an adaptation of the book, HBP sucked. They left a bunch of shit out, and then added random things that weren't even in the book! And how are we going to start Deathly Hallows at Bill and Fleur's wedding, if we've never even met Bill? Huh?

Posted by: Jeni at December 7, 2009 5:03 PM

I love Harry Potter - books, movies, actors. All of it. But here is what pisses me off. It's stupid, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Why the hell are the movie stylists straightening Emma Watson's hair?! She has got the most gorgeous, lush curly hair. There is absolutely no reason to straighten it. Drives me batshit.

Botticelli wasn't wrong, assholes. Put away the flat irons.

/completely insane rant

Posted by: stardust at December 7, 2009 5:15 PM

Plus, stardust, have these stylists ever read a description of Hermione from the books?

My HBP hatred is not based on it's merit as a film (persay) as it is based on how poorly it represents the book. The entire effing movie was about woebegotten love connections - um, hello plot? Are you there? It's me, Margaret.

I think Scully and others have it right: I won't make a judgement on JK's writing skill, because it is not my area of expertise, but she is an excellent story teller. Rowling's stories are truly captivating.

And to Jeni, I scream, "EXACTLY!!!" I heard that, at one point, they were going to skip the wedding altogether. As crazy as that was, now we have this wedding between two people the movie audiences neither know nor care about? Way to be, WB!

Posted by: Patty O'Green at December 7, 2009 5:33 PM

Seriously. What was the point of that trailer?

Really, the last film should be renamed.

Harry Potter: Finally Legal.

Posted by: redhead at December 7, 2009 5:33 PM

I heard that, at one point, they were going to skip the wedding altogether.
Posted by: Patty O'Green at December 7, 2009 5:33 PM

*gasp* But...what...how? Whatever, they always leave my favorite parts of the books out anyway. That's what happens when you like the adults best.

Posted by: Jeni at December 7, 2009 5:47 PM

I predict that Harry Potter will be affected by Twilight. Wait for a lot of angst. And some sweet romantic scene, after all half Blood Prince wasn't about magic at all but about- whisper it - S.E.X.

I also predict that Daniel Radcliffe still thinks clenching his fists and squinting his eyes makes for good acting. It doesn't.

Posted by: barf at December 7, 2009 7:02 PM

JKR is not a perfect author, but at least she has the sense not to use "ghost" as a verb. Repeatedly. In a single book. MEYERS.
Posted by: Lauren at December 7, 2009 3:19 PM

I'm not the least bit interested in Meyers or her work but pray, can anyone explain to me how 'ghost' can be used as a verb, and how to conjugate it?

Here's my three wild guesses.

1) Last night, as is my wont, I was doing some ghosting because there was nothing on T.V.

2) I wanted to do a prank. That's why I ghosted you. Did I scare you?

3) The glittery game created by Meyers where teenage girls get to ghost each other has become a huge hit. Kids in the 70s used to listen to good music and get laid. In the aughts, ghosting and vampirising (there's a new verb for you) is all the rage

Can't wait to see ghost (verb) and vampire (verb) in next year's Oxford dictionary.

Posted by: barf at December 7, 2009 7:38 PM

Mercifully, I've never read any of Meyer's books, but the word "ghost" as a verb has only been used ONCE in the correct fashion:

"You're ghostin' us, motherfucker. I don't care who you are back in the world, you give away our position one more time, I'll bleed you, real quiet, leave you here. Got that?"

Posted by: TK at December 7, 2009 8:04 PM

I love watching the HP trailers... because they make me want to re-read the books. I love the books. I have not liked ANY of the movies.

The scores are usually pretty good, though. I'll read the books while listening to the scores as a compromise.

Posted by: vikky at December 7, 2009 8:06 PM

the last part of the trailer, not too bad. I hope they cut out most of the camping stuff.
"what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what do you wanna do?" for 500 pages....

Posted by: webelos8 at December 7, 2009 9:00 PM

Loves the HP books and movies. Prisoner and Goblet are my favorites, though much appreciation was gained for the other movies after reading the books. Even Chamber of Secrets.

I can't say which is my favorite book. It's a fucking genius epic.

My one request for the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 is that we see David Thewlis magically kick some ass. I saw Kingdom of Heaven(meh) and almost busted a cinematic action nut after that first fight sequence. Ridley Scott lost his movie completely by giving the audience(me) cinematic blue balls over and over.

I really hope that Harry Potter doesn't share the same fate. I didn't love the Half Blood Prince movie while I couldn't slow down reading that book. I don't like the way Rowling treats Remus overall, mostly because he's completely behind the scenes. Maybe an opening sequence that has him in the company of werewolves and fighting his way out. It's in the book. Can we give him a sword and a horse, now?

Get the reshoots going. Chop-chop!

Posted by: Jackseppelin at December 7, 2009 9:16 PM

Barf, if memory serves, she kept using it to describe someone moving in a flowing, silent manner:

"He ghosted his way down the hill towards her". "They ghosted through the door".

GHOSTED. Does not. EXIST. Literary FAIL.

Posted by: Lauren at December 7, 2009 9:30 PM

So glad to see so many Potterphiles! I'm probably in the minority who didn't think that trailer was awful. Well, it wasn't good, but I'll pretty much take anything HP related.

I have so many hopes for the next movies and a lot of you brought up a lot of thoughts I already have. Specifically, I would also be completely content if the next two movies equalled six hours of Alan Rickman reading the phone book.

I liked HBP up until the end. Seriously, if you're going to screw the ending then just go balls to the wall different. Instead it was almost exactly the same setup except Harry was... just watching from below? Yeah because that's the kind of person he is, just sitting around while the action is happening. I don't think so. I was also tragically disappointed in Prisoner of Azkaban. That was my favorite of the books (at the time)and they totally fucked up that movie.

And another matter I'm in agreement with: leave Hermione's hair alone! I noticed that shit right around OofP and... just no. no, dammit.

Posted by: Even Stevens at December 7, 2009 11:41 PM

Only thing I can say in this teaser's defense: John Hurt.

That's all I got.

Posted by: Fredo at December 8, 2009 1:52 AM

I was also tragically disappointed in Prisoner of Azkaban. That was my favorite of the books (at the time)and they totally fucked up that movie.

Do tell, Even Stevens, what issues did you have specifically with that movie? It might be my favorite, so I am curious.

Posted by: Patty O'Green at December 8, 2009 11:18 AM

I was very disappointed in Prisoner of Azakban, the movie was horrible. But, in HBP I was reeling in my seat when Snape shushed Harry at the end! Anyone else?? What's up with the Burrow burning down? I am way more excited for DH.

Posted by: Dana at December 8, 2009 3:52 PM

We better see some Molly bitch and of course, Oi there's a war going on!

Posted by: nxx at December 8, 2009 8:40 PM

Much as I am loathe to admit that Stephanie Meyers got something right, "ghost" can in fact be used as a verb. You see it most often to describe a sailing vessel's movement over water when there is little perceptible wind, e.g. "The ship ghosted along in the moonlight." It's a little archaic, sure, but it's valid usage.

Posted by: Selkie at December 8, 2009 11:43 PM

you're all PRATS. Who wrote this stupid article?

NEWSFLASH: this was NOT A TRAILER. TRAILERS are reviewed by the MPAA and have the green logo at the start. This was simply a collection of preview clips for the DVD release of Half-Blood Prince. It's not even a teaser trailer.

MORON. (whoever wrote that article)

Posted by: Jack at December 9, 2009 3:07 PM

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