By Josie Harpole

It is no secret that it is the “beginning of the end” for one of the most successful film series of the decade. The first installment of the last Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 was released Friday, November 19 on film, bringing huge crowds to theaters. The movie brought in 24 million dollars from the 3,700 theaters offering midnight screenings, some of which were sold out weeks in advance according to comingsoon.net. This beat the midnight gross record of the prior Harry Potter film at 22.2 million dollars.

The movie picks up right where the last one left off. “These are dark times, there’s no denying” is the opening line from the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, played by Bill Nighy. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, now too old to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, set off to destroy the remaining horocruxes. These are the objects that contain portions of The Dark Lord’s soul. It’s their last chance to destroy he who must not be named once and for all; the only hope at putting The Wizarding World at peace.

The film follows the book closely and remains fairly accurate to the story. It is action packed. It pulls at the hearts of the audience with all the excitement going on around the characters that fans have grown to love. It also ends in suspense and keeps the crowd on the edge of their seats thirsting for more. Viewers who have not followed the series closely may start the movie a little confused, but can still enjoy the film and should be able to quickly catch up with what is happening on screen. The film is far from a let down and a must see for fans and those with any interest at all invested in the series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the final installment of the series has already been shot and is set to release July, 15, 2010.