LOVE POTTER...

Hi J-14ers!

Hogwarts' moving staircases, Yule Balls, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans... all that fun of the Harry Potter movies has apparated from the seventh film and been replaced by Horcruxes, Dementors, and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's minions lurking around every corner.

Yes, there's no doubt that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the darkest and scariest HP movie yet. But dare I say it just might also be the best movie in the series yet? Sure, I said that last time around too with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but what can I say? Each movie keeps topping the next! I was lucky enough to catch an early screening on Wednesday in IMAX -- and let's just say bigger is definitely better when it comes to Harry Potter!

In this first part of the final movie of the Harry Potter series, Harry, Ron, and Hermione don't even have the luxury of running through brick walls to hop on the Hogwarts Express back to school. Voldemort's army has taken over the entire wizarding world and they've got one goal in mind: Destroy Harry Potter.

But Harry's goal isn't just to protect himself -- he wants to protect the entire world from evil. After all, he knows first-hand how heartless Voldemort is -- since he killed Harry's parents when he was just a baby.

When an attack comes during what should be a joyous celebration of Ron's brother Bill and Fleur Delacour's wedding, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are forced to start their journey to destroy the remaining Horcruxes, whether they like it or not. Not only does this epic mission put Harry's strength and determination to the test -- but it also challenges his friendship between his two closest friends, Ron and Hermione.

But it wouldn't be a true Harry Potter movie without some light-hearted fun as well.

Here are a few of the highlights:
1- Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's kiss that's interrupted by her older brother's knowing glance.
2- Harry caught in a bra after being replicated by Polyjuice Potion by Fleur Delacour!
3- Harry and Hermione's sweet dance in the tent. Awww!
4- Ron correcting Hermione with she's reading The Tale of the Three Brothers and saying that it should be "midnight" instead of "twilight" at the beginning (Hmmm... coincidence or Twilight dig? ;) Nah, I checked... it's in the book.)
5- Hermione putting herself in check after realizing that Harry won't get the 17th birthday cake she and Ginny were planning. "Perspective," she says aloud.

With just the right amount of fun mixed into the life-or-death mission Harry's set out upon, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is the perfect movie for Potter-lovers and non-Potter-lovers alike.

Have you seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1? What did you think of it?

Mugglely Yours,
Ra-"Cho Chang" (heehee!)
J-14 Editor-in-Chief