Its posters advertised it as “One Way. One Fate. One Hero.” But, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1 of 2!)” was not even close to that simple.

If you didn’t read the books, don’t even try to comprehend what’s going on. Even those who didn’t read the book upwards of seven times (luckily, most Harry Potter fans have read it fifty times) may find themselves saying “what happens in this part again?”

If you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan, though, this film delivers.

Granted, even with two movies, it’s hard to jam over 800 pages into two and a half hours. But writer J.K. Rowling did help direct the movie, so what got cut out (apparently) doesn’t matter.

Unsurprisingly, while there were some scenes cut out, there were also some action scenes that were not even in the book added on. Last time I checked, Harry didn’t ride through the streets of London on Hagrid’s motorbike – why would he ever risk being seen by muggles?

The famous trio of Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) all do an excellent job of dealing with the complexities of the novel.

Overall, the movie does manage to take an adult-like tone, (even with house elves named Dobby) a very somber, dark one at that, but that’s how the movies have been since the fourth one, “Goblet of Fire.”

The movie is different than the other six already made in that there is no school element- no Quidditch, charms class, or pumpkin pasties this time. Instead, Harry, Ron, and Hermione depart on a Homer-esque journey of epic proportions to find “horcruxes” that will destroy their nose-less archenemy Lord Voldemort.

Geared almost painfully specifically towards teenagers, there was an appropriate amount of heart-pumping violence, heart-wrenching romance, and hearty laughs.

The audience response to the midnight premiere of the movie was very positive, but that is a crowd of people crazy enough to get three hours of sleep to see it. Other groups may not be as enthusiastic.

It wasn’t surprising, as far as movies go, because 99.99% of people already know what happens, but most scenes were fast-paced enough to keep pulses racing.

The movie ends in a satisfying way, even tears were shed throughout the theatre. It will leave movie-goers holding their breath for the last movie, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2)” Until then, they’ll have to put away their Gryffindor cloaks and lightning bolt scar tattoos.