"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (2010) is like that one classmate who always promises to show up to group meetings but only turns up for the final presentation. And when they do, they're surprisingly well-prepared (if a bit disheveled). This film, the penultimate in the wizarding series, feels like it's been brewing a Polyjuice Potion for far too long and ended up with a concoction that's equal parts thrilling and frustratingly slow.

The first half feels like the trio got lost on the way to Hogwarts and ended up on a camping trip in Mordor. We see Harry, Ron, and Hermione embark on a gloomy, Horcrux-hunting quest, which is basically the magical equivalent of trying to find your phone charger in the dark. The tension between them is more palpable than a fresh batch of Every Flavour Beans (and not nearly as fun). Meanwhile, Voldemort is out there playing extreme makeover with the wizarding world, but we're stuck watching magical tent dynamics and Ron's mood swings.

But then, just when you're about to give up and switch to re-reading the books, the film hits its stride. The action sequences are as well-crafted as a Nimbus 2000, with visual effects that make you forgive the earlier sluggishness. The animation sequence of 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' is a stunning piece of storytelling, and honestly, I wouldn't mind a whole film just like that. In the end, "Deathly Hallows: Part 1" sets up the finale beautifully, even if it takes its sweet time getting there. It's like a Quidditch match that's a bit too long but has a fantastic Snitch catch at the end. Three and a half stars for delivering the magic, albeit at the pace of a flobberworm.