The practical reasoning for this decision?
More movies, more money.
After all, this reasoning tends to be true.
Fans or at least the media accuse the studios of prioritizing the financial over the creative.
This may be true, but it doesnt have to be the whole truth.
Splitting a terrible book into two movies will not make two good films.
(Sorry,Divergent.)
Heres why…
Splitting the book allows time to explore elements other than plot.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione traipse aimlessly around the British countryside, hoping to stumble upon a Horcrux.
Not having enough plot to cover the two-hour run times ended up being their greatest asset.
After all, in many ways, plot is the simplest of story structures.
It may be the most necessary, but it is also often the least interesting.
As a structure, the Hollywood blockbuster tends to favor plot above all else.
The montage of Harry, Ron, and Hermione listening to the radio as they walk across Britain.
The gorgeously-rendered animation of The Deathly Hallows story.
It is an indulgent, character-driven moment that has no larger bearing on the plot.
It could be cut from the film without the audience ever knowing it was missing.
And that would be a shame.
Because it is a beautiful affirmation of Harry and Hermiones friendship.
They should be dancing, not shouldering this impossible burden.
It is tragic and hopeful and joyful all at once.
This scene is indicative of a larger interestThe Deathly Hallowshas in theme and character.
Mockingjay: Part 1 strays beyond Katniss perspective.
Its changed by Plutarch and Coin, and given new purpose to spur others to acts of war.
The limits of film as a medium for adapting book series.
For me, television is the natural choice for translating book series onto the screen.
Currently, these book-to-film franchises are set somewhere in between film and television in regards to narrative form.
