Movie review time!! I haven’t done one of these yet, but I figure I’ll just mimic my book reviews while throwing in a little of the day itself. This was easily one of my favorite Saturdays in Dublin, if you discount the weather (though I will say, no rain, which is a change). The anticipation was heightened, because I bought tickets for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows over a week ago and I’ve been excited ever since. Surprisingly, Matt jumped on board and seemed to be looking forward to the movie, even though Harry Potter isn’t really his thing.
The cinema is over in the Dundrum Town Centre, conveniently located within walking distance of our apartment. Since we had such a good experience with the Mexican restaurant, Cortina’s, a couple weeks ago, we figured we’d really make a day of it and eat there for lunch before the movie. As it’s been, the Town Centre is still bustling with holiday traffic; the Christmas train is still transporting small children through the mall and life-size Christmas mascots are still lurking around every corner. A new addition has been added: a light up house that Santa and his elves sit in, waiting for kids to come have their pictures taken. It was being set up last time we were there, but now it is a full-blown Christmas attraction. Gone are the days of waiting in a long line in the mall to go have a few seconds on Santa’s lap.
Now, for the main attraction. Following a delicious lunch, Matt and I went into the loud and crowded cinema and printed our pre-ordered Harry Potter VIP tickets. “VIP?” you ask. Yes, in our theatre there is an upper mezzanine section labeled VIP. The tickets are more expensive, but the seats are leather and much larger, you get a complimentary box of popcorn and glass of wine (or soda), and there is quite a bit more leg room. When you book your tickets, you choose your seats, like when you go to the theatre or orchestra. We booked early enough to end up in the first row on the railing, without a single head in front of us and miles of legroom.
As for the movie itself…ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! For those of you who have read the books religiously like myself, you’ll be happy to hear the movie
stays true to the storyline of The Deathly Hallows. The movie is even darker than the previous films, which is necessary, since that is the feeling expressed in the book. There is a good mix of action, teenage angst, and story-weaving. I was a little worried going to the movie in the daytime, since there would be so many children in attendance, but to my amusement and happiness, they were perfectly silent. I can easily say that they enjoyed the movie just as much, because each of them were grabbing each side of their seat and staring wide-eyed at the screen. There was a bit of a lull in the middle of the movie, but again, if you read the books, it really hits home and is an emotional experience. I laughed, I cried, and I simply enjoyed. It was bittersweet knowing this is the beginning of the end; something I’ve been waiting in anticipation for, but not ready to let go.
For those of you who checked my Facebook today, you saw that Matt, too, had a bit of fun with the movie. Though he was giving “live commentary” on my profile the entire time, he was a great movie companion and I could tell he was happy that I enjoyed it so much. As for the rest of this wonderful day, we’ll be eating pizza, watching college football, enjoying a couple Bud Lights, and reading our new books we picked up on our way home. Oh, Harry Potter, you certainly know how to make this girl happy. 
