“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ is a Satisfying Conclusion to an Epic Saga
Castor: And so it all ends. Here at last, the final chapter of the longstanding saga that has captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation has come and gone. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is a fitting and bittersweet conclusion, a riveting film that comes closest to greatness among the eight installments of this unprecedented saga. Mixing a dark undertone with moments of humor and unexpected heroism, this action-packed finale is a film that will reward both casual and die-hard fans of the series.
It’s clear now that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was meant to be seen as a four-and-a-half-hour movie. Part 2 picks up exactly where the previous film left off, with not as much as a transition or an attempt to summarize previous events.
After taking possession of the Elder Wand, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is edging closer to his goal of killing his arch-nemesis Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and assuming control of the wizarding world. In the meanwhile, Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) continue their search for the remaining Horcruxes, infiltrating Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange’s (Helena Bonham Carter) personal bank vault at Gringotts Bank to find one of the hidden pieces of Voldemort’s soul that have kept him immortal. But when the trio’s search takes them back to Hogwarts, Voldemort gets wind of their location, leading to the final, epic confrontation between good and evil we all had been waiting for.
Director David Yates skillfully handles the lean and elegant screenplay by Steve Kloves, weaving spectacular action set pieces and sprawling narratives among an intense roller-coaster ride of wit, pathos and sentimentality. While Part 2 is tautly paced, clocking in at a mere 2 hours which makes it by far the shortest film in the series, it never unfolds in a chaotic or confusing manner. As a non-reader, it certainly was common-place for me to be left intermittently confused as the previous films unfolded. I’m glad to say this never happened here and it contributed in Part 2 being the first Harry Potter movie I truly loved.
“Hermione, when have any of our plans ever worked? We plan, we get there, all hell breaks loose.”
Most can recall that Part 1 was exposition-heavy and had the characters contemplate the abyss they were facing, well Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 nearly immediately cuts to the chase with numerous and increasingly rousing action sets pieces culminating in the epic battle of Hogwarts. Despite plenty of chances for Yates and Kloves to spend precious time on flashy but mindless Lord of the Rings-like battle sequences, they never lose sight of the emotional core of the story, sticking with the principal characters whom we have grown to care for. All around, this is a film that was obviously made with outstanding care and technical craftmanship, with excellent work extending to Eduardo Serra’s astonishing visuals, as well as the seamless special effects and the stunning soundtrack by Alexander Desplat.
In many ways, Daniel Radcliffe was never called on to carry the franchise even though he was the one playing Harry Potter all this time. Over the years, this burden had always been shared with Rupert Grint, who has been a constantly reliable sidekick since the beginning, and Emma Watson who practically stole the previous film with an unexpectedly authentic turn. But the time has come for his charming co-stars to take a backseat and for “the boy who lived” to finally become the great movie hero he was destined to be. This film belongs to Radcliffe who kept his best performance for last, layering his titular character with quiet strength, vulnerability and grace under overwhelming adversity.
That said, one important recurring character who finally gets his heartbreaking due after all these years is Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). The masterfully-edited scene that sheds a new perspective on the motivations behind his character and his spirited relationship with Harry Potter is undoubtedly the emotional climax of the entire saga and a gut-wrenching layer of emotional depth that is certain to leave both readers and non-readers stunned and devastated. Rickman has been an absolute joy to watch over the years and he is as beautifully commanding as ever in a role that has turned out to be truly tragic in every way.
The rest of the all-star British supporting cast also returns once again and there is tremendous satisfaction in seeing all these familiar faces one more time. Maggie Smith gives a particularly feisty and satisfying performance as Professor McGonagall and Matthew Lewis finally gets his chance to rise to the occasion as the heroic Neville Longbottom. Voldemort, whom Fiennes infuses with a surprising amount of nuance and vulnerability, is terrifying but given an unexpected hint of humanity as his powers vanish. The only sour note, Bonnie Wright, alas, remains as inexpressive as ever and her character is all but an afterthought.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two isn’t quite the masterpiece we all wanted it to be. Could the movie have left more of an emotional impact? Absolutely. Is the movie too short and could it have lingered a little while longer with all the characters we have come to love? Certainly. Are the romantic subplots ending with unsatisfactory outcomes? Duh. But I will choose to remember this film fondly as part of a now-completed series that will stand as one of the greatest cinematic achievement in history because in the case of this franchise, the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Never before has a series of film been able to capture such a sprawling imaginary world and been able to build on it over the course of 10 years with such continuity of vision and cast.
Alas, all good things must come to an end. Do you remember him, young Harry Potter hiding in his little closet under the stairs of the Dursley’s family home? Him getting on that train to Hogwarts for the first time in wide-eyed enchantment only to sit next to the very people who will turn out to be his most loyal friends? The little adorable moppets have come such a long way and so has this once-in-a-generation franchise. What began timidly as a whimsical kid’s fantasy 10 years ago has matured into a graceful and beloved odyssey about sacrifice, true friendship and perseverance in the face of adversity. What a great ride it has been.
So long Harry Potter.
B+
(8/10)
Notes: PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
Sam: Monday night I watched upon Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 the same way I viewed Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith back in 2005. Both films are climactic, emotionally triumphant, and often devastatingly constructed. Throughout the two pictures you feel the end is near. That after many films, dollars, and passion thrown toward these franchises, you can sense that everything we have come to love about these characters and stories is about to end.
These are emotions that don’t come out of nowhere, but are in fact so rightfully deserved. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is beautifully told and visually striking. And then, the film, as if all significance is thrown out the window, comes to an ending – the final 5 minutes equivalent to J.K. Rowling’s epilogue. After writing about so many films, you get used to disappointment. However, my emotions can’t shrug off one of the worst endings to a film I have ever seen.
Those of you who have read the books understand what I am referring to. How could such a grandstanding franchise full of brilliant characters and rich themes, be reduced to such a pathetic ending? It is as if everything we have seen for the past ten years had been irrelevant and pointless. I’m saddened just writing about my disappointment of Rowling’s epilogue, full of awful makeup and cliched sentiment, and the vast amount of shortcomings the book to screen transformation contains. Above all, though, this begs the question: should movies always stick to its source material, even if many revere it? In Harry Potter’s case, I say most definitely not.
The film jumps in right where we left off in Part 1. Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their rigorous quest to destroy Lord Voldermort’s three remaining Horcruxes. These three items, simply put, preclude his death and guarantee his immortality. However, since Harry and the Dark Lord contain an oddity of a spiritual connection, Voldermort quickly finds out about their mission as the Deathly Hallows are uncovered. This sets up the largest battle in the Potter franchise. Its Good vs. Evil at it’s finest and it makes for some grandiose entertainment.
Yet, there’s something deeper going on here. As the many who have sided with Lord Voldemort go on to destroy Hogwarts, we feel this underlying sadness. Over the years, my mind wandered the school of Hogwarts as if it was my own. Everything was so new, and magical. Life for these kids was sometimes dangerous, but always interesting and adventurous. This franchise, so prevalent and withstanding, is enveloped in a lovely feeling of nostalgia. Now everything has become about life or death. Even as the students and professors of Hogwarts fight off the Dark Arts, we remember back not so long ago when everyone was just a little kid, when their biggest worry was whether they could master their first spell or if they could figure out who that creepy Tom Riddle guy was. It feels just like yesterday.
In the end this franchise, like its protagonist, “The Boy Who Lived”, will last and resonate for decades to come. If my review feels a bit lukewarm, it is because of the lackluster ending that left me in a tailspin. Still, this is a worthy send-off to a franchise that is equal measures magical and innovative. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is epic in scale, heart, and emotions. It’s sometimes moving, typically entertaining, but always heartbreaking as we say goodbye to Harry and all his friends, people we have come to cherish and embrace over the past decade.
This final chapter is an emotionally charged caper that sends this franchise off in all its glory. With 8 films made in ten years and over 6.3 billion dollars claimed at the global box office, I can only be sure of one thing. Harry Potter, you will be greatly missed.
B+
3 Stars out 4
You can follow me on twitter @DukeSensation
Review published on July 13, 2011
129 Comments
So as long as I stop the movie before the time jump, I’ll be happy? Sounds good.
I know at the very least, I was.
it’s because the source material for the epilogue was rubbish. Pure pandering on The WB’s behalf.
Very true Amy.
Yea, so I was thinking about waiting a week before seeing this but I can already feel my patience vanish after reading some of the little bubble box on Rotten Tomatoes that have a short quote from each critic.
Haha … that could be us Castor in the Rotten Tomatoes blurbs
You’ll enjoy the film, though.
Nyeeaaaaaaaaa….
Um, sorry somehow I kept thinking of Voldemort’s squall now after seeing those ubiquitous trailers. I’ll be late to the party as I won’t be able to see this for at least a couple of weeks.
Luckily the film won’t be going anywhere .. I suspect it to stay in theaters for at least a couple months.
Oh yeah, it’ll be around for a while. I just would be late in reviewing it, but no biggie. Glad you enjoyed this one, Sam.
When exactly are you leaving for the West Coast Ruth? I hear you can only get there by stage coach, is it true?
Please, Ruth, whatever you do, don’t die of dysentery.
I never read the books (although my sister and girlfriend are the two biggest fans I know, respectively) so I don’t know what awful ending you’re referring to, but I certainly hope the big climax and eventual battle between Potter and Voldemort as as exciting as the seven films building up to it were, if not more so. Going to see it next week.
You’ll understand once you see it.
Hope you enjoy.
Had fun watching this until the final minutes. I knew the epilogue would suck, but Voldemort’s death in particular ranks very high on my “Harry Potter – Films” shitlist.
I completely agree with you on Voldemorths death.
Uneventful?
The way how Voldemort dies is pathetic. Not gonna spoil it here, but I raised a middle finger when it happened.
I haven’t seen the movie yet and will probably seen it in the next 5 years…But I do agree with you Rodrigo…The way Voldermort die is totally lame…assuming the way he died is same with the book
They actually changed it for the film. Not to the better. It was poor in the book but it was better than this.
Novroz, it’s different to the book and much worse than the way he died on the book.
Much worse?? wow!! the more reason not to watch it then
It took me a while to go see the movie and reading the reviews on the death scene, I expected something really terrible. It wasn’t that bad in my opinion, but maybe I am one of the few that thinks that having some firework of explosions taking down Voldemort being too “action-filmy” (translation: corny as hell). I thought the death was way better than in the book actually.
SPOILERS AHEAD SPOILERS AHEAD
I saw it yesterday and I don’t really know what to think of it.
Either I’m the most nit picky person ever or I’m just not getting it. I didn’t really like this book that much and I still think it was a lot better than this part of the adaptation. It felt rushed. I wish they had cut down the first film (that would have been relatively easy, I re watched part one on blu-ray last week) and expanded this one.
Almost all scenes where close to really good but just missing and as mentioned Voldemorts death scene is changed from the book in a fatal way to me. Voldemort will never have the posture of Dart Vader when it comes to real good villains just to give an example.
My favorite moments where when Harry saw Snapes hidden memories and when Harry challenged Voldemort as they clung on to each other and flew away. There was a great build-up for the fight but it didn’t really keep it up throughout it (I might be the wrong one judging this scene coming out of an intense Slasher film spree the last two weeks).
I also got to say that the Harry/Hermione sippers got fed their bone. I know they wont wind up but there was certainly an undertone to it in these last two films. The one (was that you Castor?) saying Ginny is a block of rock is right on. Boy was she bland in this one. I really wished they have had the balls to go really dark and let Harry and Hermione get it on because they had more chemistry or at least let Harry be with Luna.
I didn’t have that much issues with the epilogue as many seem to have, I really liked the Star Wars send of in the last frames lining up the main characters and doing the same overtureish climax on the soundtrack with the HP theme.
All and all it was an ok film but I think they could have come a lot farther in adapting the book(s) than they did.
I agree that Harry should’ve been with Hermione. Hated the epilogue. And I didn’t really mind that final action sequence.
I haven’t read Joel’s comment but… SEEEEEEEEEEE! I told everyone so, they made people yearn for Harry and Hermione.
I was a Harry/Hermione shipper from the books, so this makes me laugh so much.
I think the only reason I wanted Harry to knock up Hermione is because Bonnie Wright is horrible as Ginny. Her chemistry with Radcliffe is non-existent and I cannot buy for a second that Harry has any interest in her whatsoever– in part because Wright doesn’t get her character like the principles get theirs.
I’m glad they stuck to casting from the beginning, but I wish Columbus had chosen a better Ginny.
Indeed, part of it is the fact that Bonnie Wright is terrible and gets like 2 lines every other movie. But also because they made Hermione so prevalent in comparison to Ron. Add the much more apparent chemistry between Radcliffe and Watson and I knew it was going to make things a bit iffy at the end.
But that’s the issue – Ginny in the books barely gets any mentions after Book2, and springs into some kind of prominence in Book5… which in the movie was so chapped off that we barely got anything from it.
Then in Half-blood we are meant to believe Harry’s in love with Ginny.
JK being all secretive about her books never let on that she had written the epilogue the way she did, at least not with Harry and Ginny ending up together. Columbus had only until Book4 to figure something out, so he didn’t thought much of Ginny.
So… it’s not really all of Bonnie Wright’s fault, but the source material in itself. JK should have realized her characters had taken a life on their own, and re-write her epilogue without Harry and Ginny together because she hadn’t been writing them in the 5 previous books.
It’s pretty funny that all the Harmony shippers are suddenly coming out the woodwork. I called it!
It’s all your fault, Castor. LOL I was done with this, and then you went all “could Harry/Hermione have happened in the movie”.
“Voldemort will never have the posture of Dart Vader when it comes to real good villains just to give an example.”
To be fair, Voldemort only serves as a bad-ass villain in the books. But I always thought he was kind of overrated.
And Fiennes for the most part kinda sucks at protraying Voldemort.
Fiennes was playing him all campy. LOL I think it fit it perfectly. xD
It did!
Yes, he completely understood Voldemort.
I think you have to play a guy like Voldemort big and broad in order for him to work as a character on-screen. Fiennes captures all of the menace but he knows how and when to go over-the-top for best effect, too.
I LOVE YOU SAM!!!
Finally, somoone else but me have the same opinion as mine. The ending of the book is terrible. To me, Harry Potter book was a great journey with terrible ending. She doesn’t know how to end it with a blast. The dissapointment I have toward the book made me avoid watching the movie since movie 6. I was too dissapointed with it.
I am a person who enjoy things at the end. Bad story in the beggining with aawesome ending is better than great story with lame ending.
I thought the movie will change it somehow…but reading your review only confirm 1 thing…I didn’t miss anything by not seeing it in the cinema
A lot of book worm agrees with me about Harry Potter’s ending but this is the 1st time I’ve heard a movie lover also thinks the same
I am very happy to know that
Ahaha come on, you can walk out just before the epilogue Novia
The problem is not in the epilogue for me Castor…it’s in the last battle between Harry and voldemort.
JK killed one of my favorite characters for a lousy ending.
I sound so much like a hater here
Which character are you talking about Novroz?
I haven’t read the books, Novroz. But I’ve been made clear that the epilogue is the equivalent to the film’s ending … I knew that going into the press screening.
Thanks for reading.
I really like the twin. When one of them died, I was quite sad…but at least I thought the ending will be great since JK killed lots of characters…but..naahh she blew it at the end.
Well…Joel. Now that I know what you think…I am more convinced that I will not watch the movie unless it is on TV and I have nothing else to watch
Hope JK can make a better ending with her future books
You’re a harsh critique when it comes to HP Novia. =)
It’s worth seeing in theaters.
@Joel Maybe if I have time,i will write my summary of all HP books and reasons why I ended up disliking the final book.
@Sam I have stopped going to the theater since movie 6
That would be really interesting Novia.
I have a similar experience since I think the first four books were a lot better than the rest and the first three films were better than the last bunch.
Very nice review. I love reading reviews on Harry Potter films written by those who haven’t read the books. It allows us HP readers to actually see a specific aspect we possibly miss.
I agree, its very interesting actually.
I found this video that might interest you all…or maybe not.I find it very funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3CcyUAHtdk&feature=player_embedded
Saw it yesterday, writing the review as we speak. Not the masterpiece we all wanted it to be but it’s the best film of the franchise, hands down. I didn’t think the epilogue was that terrible.
@ JOEL: “I also got to say that the Harry/Hermione sippers got fed their bone. I know they wont wind up but there was certainly an undertone to it in these last two films. The one (was that you Castor?) saying Ginny is a block of rock is right on. Boy was she bland in this one. I really wished they have had the balls to go really dark and let Harry and Hermione get it on because they had more chemistry or at least let Harry be with Luna.”
I’ve been saying this forever. They made the final outcome completely unsatisfying. Ron was basically completely extraneous in this movie. He barely had any lines. Ginny is a complete joke.
Sasha at the final girl project gives a great rundown of the films where she highlight these problems, her main conclusion is that they switched Ron and Hermione as Harry’s best friend from the Azkaban film. I toally agree with her on that. In the first two films Ron and Harry are really tight but in the rest of them Harry and Hermione are the centerpieces.
I totally get that people that haven’t read the books think Harry and Hermione are getting together while we who have read the book can’t see it any other way than Ron and Hermione.
Links to Sashas H.P articles: http://www.finalgirlproject.com/?tag=j-k-rowling
(I’d totally add them to the open bar section because its handsdown some of the best writing on HP blogwise)
*Major Spoilers below*
Just saw it, and overall i liked it. For me, one thing i didn’t like is that the movie made it unclear how Harry came back from the dead…i had to ask a cousin who read the books if the resurrection stone brought harry back or not.
And i personally didn’t have a problem with Ginny and harry…but i guess that’s just me
The book kinda just took it for granted as well. I think between the “you have a choice” dialogue between him and Dumbledore and the obvious (but frequently missed by evangelicals) Christian parallels, I think we were supposed to just go with it.
BUT if someone else understood it differently from either source, I’d love to hear it!
Harry is able to come back from the dead because Voldemort took his blood in Goblet of Fire. Because Harry’s blood was coursing through Voldemort’s veins, and Voldemort still lived, he continued to have a tie to the world of the living. Think of it–sorta–that Voldemort was Harry’s Horcrux (but not quite. Just along the same idea). By being stubborn and egotistical and taking Harry’s blood that night in the graveyard, Voldemort essentially saved Harry’s life.
Ah, The “twinkle” in Dumbledore’s eye at the end of GoF. Completely forgot about that. Something that felt most readers just passed over without much thought.
See, this is something that as a non-reader, I would have never known unless someone told me. This isn’t made clear at all in the movie.
I sort of thought he had to do with the Deathly Hallows but then I didn’t understand why he dropped the resurrection stone before facing Voldemort.
@ Nick: So did you get emotional at any point in the movie? I know you are a huge fan so saying goodbye might have been hard
Speaking of things unclear in the movie, my dad told me he was a bit confused about the guys speech at the beginning about wands choosing its owner, considering the Elder Wand changed owner like 3 times in the movie. My best answer was the Elder Wand was extremely wishy-washy…or just really did not like Voldemort at all
My understanding with the wand was that it belongs to whoever “conquers” its owner. In this case, it was Dumbledore, then Malfoy not Snape since Malfoy was the one to disarm Dumblebore at the tower, then Harry since Harry ended up beating Malfoy later on.
Castor: I did… about 5 different points or so.
Dirtywithclass: As for the Elder Wand… what Momo said. It’s all about who earns the right to own it by conquering its previous owner. Dumbledore defeated Grindlewald (something that is gone into much more detail in the books) and got the wand. Draco disarmed DD and gained its allegiance. Harry overpowered Draco.
5? I don’t remember too many moments pulling at the heartstring.
Maybe the Snape backstory, when Harry tells Ron and Hermione that he is headed for the forest and she tearfully says “I’m coming with you”, and also the bit when he talks to his dead parents and Sirius in the Forbidden Forrest.
Thanks, Nick! I hadn’t caught that!
Haven’t seen the movie yet, but Julio is right when the book doesn’t really go over it either. It wasn’t until a couple weeks of reflection after reading the book did I realize that Harry had all three Hallows on him, making him a master of death. And yet, the scene and it’s interpretation remains ambiguous.
Not too satisfied with my review… I will probably keep tinkering with it tonight.
I don’t know, Castor. That’s a pretty good review.
And spot on about Emma Watson stealing the show last time around!
Thanks Julio.
I was pleasantly surprised by her turn in Part 1. Before Half Blood Prince, she was wildly over-acting at the most random times and I always thought she was the weakest actor of the main trio.
nah, Cuaron said it. He was surprised with Watson’s talent since then. *hand gestures down* LOL, but then she began focusing more on fashion… so glad that they’ve announced her first lead post-Potter work with Guillermo del Toro (I’m ecstatic beyond believe).
7.2 is the shortest film because it’s half a book, I would be fuming if it were longer than Phoenix. LOL
It’s not even half a book. It’s the last third of a book.
@Nick, that’s true. In my review of DH1, I did wonder what was left but the big off-screen battle.
To be perfectly honest, I did have fun watching DH2… it’s just the thinking about it that made me mad.
I liked her scene in goblet of fire when she yelled at Ron, but maybe thats just me
yea when she yelled at Ron..DAT WAS DA EPIC ” OH SO RON AND HERMOINE BOTH GOT A THING FOR EACHOTHER!” moment!.
One of the best scenes ever! :’)
The way you praise the Potter film is fine. I’m not sure if I would agree with your score. But one day I plan to see both Part 1 and Part 2 from start-to-finish.
Despite the fact I will never watched it, I think your review is good Castor
It makes me want to watch it if i haven’t been disappointed by the book…this is an honest opinion.
Thanks Rodrigo and Novroz
Really good review, Cas. I don’t think you need to tinker with it at all.
As far as the actual movie goes, I think we both see eye-to-eye here; great movie, and an even better sendoff to one of the biggest franchises of all time. I don’t know if they could have pulled it off any better than this.
Thanks Andrew. I do think it could have been better. I thought it was all over a bit too quick
Nice review Castor. I agree with the whole let down emotionally thing. I gave it a B+ too. Seems to be the consensus!
I was surprised how fast it went by. I wish it had been 15 or 20 minutes longer. Ron and Hermione were too much in the background and it all could have had more of an emotional impact.
Yeah, I thought that was a key weakness. Ron and Hermoine really had little to do, and though it was only covering a third of the novel (the Gringotts scene and a lengthy final act) it still felt rushed. This is being nitpicky because I did like it a lot. But, it skimmed over the battle, without getting in there and showing us more, and forcing us to engage with the characters.
yea! and what’s with the ” 9 year gap at the end!? Nobody really cared ab their married life! it was abt the right thern there moments! ;/…disappointed by the ending….(kinda pissed )
One thing that wasn’t clear for me in the movie was the fact that Harry’s friends defending Hogwarts was supposed to have received from his sacrifice a quasi protection spell if I remember the book correctly. I’m disappointed in that aspect not showing up and the significance of Harry’s sacrifice in terms of the ancient magic that it provoked. I’m also disappointed in the director glossing over the death of Ron’s brother by Belatrix – making Belatrix’s killing by Ron’s mom so much more satisfying. Lastly, if we had to have the epilogue, then I would have liked to have seen older Harry’s nod to Draco and the complexity of their relationship come through – as was given in the book. Overall, the movie glossed over some of the most important emotional details and I really can’t forgive the director for missing these crucial highlights.
I’m not sure about the first part as I’m a non-reader but I also wanted the Draco story-line to end in a satisfying manner. I know there is more to it but in the movie, he simply walks away and that’s the end of it.
Got my hands on a copy today, and have already watched it twice.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Pretty much agree with what both reviews said.
- I wish this had been about 30 minutes longer. There is so much that is just skimmed over and rushed, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Granted, if you combine both Parts 1 & 2 together for one big movie, some of that goes away. Still felt rushed, though.
- The relationships in this movie felt like they were added in at the last minute. “Oh, wait, we forgot to have Ron and Hermione kiss!”..”Shit, somebody call Dan and see if he can do a re-shoot, and get Bonnie in here as well”.
- McGonagall was a complete badass in this film. I had a jolt of excitement when she stepped in between Potter and Snape, and then attacked first. And then she brought the statues to life. Wow.
- Absolutely loved what they did with the Snape storyline. He was probably my favorite character from the book, and the translation to the film was wonderful. His flashback memories were 8 minutes of perfection that I have revisited at least 5 times already, and will continue to play it throughout the night.
- Characters getting killed off screen really started to piss me off. You don’t even know it’s Fred until much later in the film. And don’t even get me started on Lupin and Tonks.
- I can see why many non-readers would have been confused by certain pieces of this film. The book isn’t exactly specific about it (to remain ambiguous, I believe), but how Harry survives the Killing Curse isn’t really touched upon in the film. And I’m also not surprised by how so many people think that Snape is possibly Harry’s father. Had the series (both mediums) not hammered away at the fact that Harry looks identical to James, even I might’ve been confused.
- There were some uneven parts that kind of upset me. Why not give established characters more face time instead of spending so much time on the Ravenclaw ghost and/or Griphook.
- When Voldemort kills the Death Eater at random, why not make another horcrux? I know he’s still weak at that point, and the wand he has doesn’t completely agree with him. But he still able to break through the protective charm that protected Hogwarts, as well as conjure the Killing Curse twice, one of which destroys a horcrux. So it’s not like he’s completely useless. I know a simple reply here would be that Voldy couldn’t handle splitting his soul again, but I would beg to differ.
- Why doesn’t the Hufflepuff’s cup multiply like everything else in LeStrange’s vault?
- If you are in the room of requirement and a huge ass fire breaks out, wouldn’t something along the lines of a huge ass fire extinguisher or something appear…because..you know…you require it?
- I still don’t understand how Voldy doesn’t ultimately become the master of the Elder Wand. Harry was able to become the master of it when he disarms Draco, even though neither of them are in actual possession of the elder wand. So if Harry is the master of the Elder Wand when Voldy uses the Killing Curse on him (which, last time I checked, was more powerful than a disarm), wouldn’t Voldy become the new master? Sure, Harry survived the curse, but one could argue that he also lost a good chunk of his power as well when the horcrux within him was destroyed.
- I can’t wait to see this in a format with more quality. Special Effects and color didn’t really stand out too well on the version that I watched.
- The music was absolutely amazing. Desplat really is the best person doing scores nowadays. I love me some Hans Zimmer, but Desplat churns out magnificent pieces on a more frequent basis.
- Really could have done without that horrible, horrible epilogue.
- It may not seem like it, but overall I am very happy about how this film turned out. I would say that a B+ is probably the grade I would have given it as well. Just about the best we could’ve hoped for, all things considered.
Good points! I absolutely agree about McGonagall/Maggie Smith in this one. It was charming how she went from serious conjuror to giddy schoolgirl in just a few scenes:
“I’ve always WANTED to use that spell!”
It’s a small part, but it’s one of my favorite details of the movie.
And Desplat’s score caught my ear, too. It was very moving and very appopriate in tone.
It really is a great score. With this and the soundtrack for The Tree of Life, Desplat has almost guaranteed himself an Oscar next February. I loved the first song, Lily’s Theme to get the movie started.
Great score!
I got chills listening to it. Beautiful.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. The Lord of the Rings battle sequences are flashy and mindless? Such sequences as the elves getting tragically cut down by waves of Uruk Hai or Eorlings riding into the masses of Mordor moments before Gondor finally cracks are mindless?
But moving onto Harry Potter…
Castor:
I don’t think Kloves is a good screenwriter. The opening act is a testament to how bogged down he gets to exposition and his inability to properly pace a film’s story.
And yes, the Snape sequence is great.
Also, I don’t see this series as such an achievement. The films have been, on the whole, poor as actual films. There are a few good ones, this is one of them. I certainly don’t see the series as an sort of milestone film achievement.
Ah I knew someone would eventually question my LOTR reference
You are totally right that the vast majority of the battle scenes in the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy are very well integrated into the story. This was more of an analogy in regards to how epic the battle could have compared but done with potentially less rewarding effects.
You know, I feel the same way you do: Most of the movies taken individually are very much flawed and middling so that’s what I meant when I said this is the first movie I actually loved or that the whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts (at least for me). Nonetheless, I feel that taken as a whole, the series is quite the achievement if only because it was such an extensive project that has maintained a relatively high level of consistency, continuity and yes, quality.
Maintaining the same cast for such a long period of time for example, has never been done before. Andrew (of Constant Visual Feast) has wondered whether this franchise would have been anywhere as successful if the roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione had been recast halfway through and it’s quite obvious to me now that it would have killed the franchise.
Great reviews guys. I agree with you both. I think the film is an excellent ending to the series. I still feel the middle three films are the best – 3,4 and 5, but the two-part conclusion ends the story with suitably high drama and great action. I think the decision to split the movie over two parts may have been the wrong one (not for the studio of course) in hindsight having originally felt it was a good idea.
Ahah well my favorites are 6, 7 and 8
After watching Part 1 and Part 2 back to back, I’m really glad they split the last movie in two actually. Thanks Dan!
There’s a few things I agree with:
1) the ending. Meh. A little like Twilight Breaking Dawn, a completely frivolous exercise, and redundant to the story.
2) the pacing – the film felt rushed, almost as if they had run out of money to finish things off properly.
3) killing characters off-screen that we’ve come to know and love. WTF?
4) Alan Rickman made this film awesome. His performance as Snape was, simply, astonishing.
Great reviews guys.
Agreed on Rickman. That Snape piece definitely helped the film reach another level.
Favorite part of the movie to me, by far.
SNape should get a DAMN EMMY ! HE was freakn PERFECT! Ive never been more impressed!
) when he died, i was truly sad….but the connection between his patronas and Harry’s mom is kinda fuzy! Does it mean that Snape and Harry’s Mom were always True Lovers, or that they were meant to be?
So I just came back from seeing this with Momo this morning and we made sure to see Part 1 beforehand. I have to say I like Part 1 a whole lot more now that I have done so.
The entire Snape sequence was truly excellent and the soundtrack REALLY does elevate the entire movie. I do think the movie reaches its emotional climax a bit too early. I basically consider the high point of the movie to be between the moment Harry and his friends run out of the Room of the Requirements with the big battle scene outside as a backdrop up to the point of Hermione tearfully saying “I’ll go with you” as Harry Potter decides to confront his fate. It’s really all somewhat downhill from there.
So I finally decided that it was time to see the movie, now that the throngs of people have died down.
The Snape sequence was breathtaking and heartbreaking. Coming from reading the books where it was basically a long chapter (The Prince’s Tale), I really had no idea how they would play it out on screen and I must say that it definitely did not disappoint.
The emotional climax was indeed earlier than expected (to me, it started as soon as McGonagall and the other professors start casting protective spells over the castle and ends when he talks to his dead parents) but I actually liked that the rest of the movie had a slower tone, setting up for the series end.
I’d give the movie an A-, and only because the movie cut away a lot of scenes I had expected to see, such as the Dumbledore/Grindewald background. They weren’t necessary to the comprehension of the overall story but it would have filled a few holes and given more depth to Dumbledore’s character, who like Snape, was more complex than being the archetypal Yoda/Gandalf type character.
Definitely worth seeing it in the theater many times over, just for the soundtrack and the breathtaking battle scenes.
Just wanted to add: how incredible was Helena Bonham Carter as Hermione? That 1-2 minute scene of her at Gringotts where she essentially captured Hermione’s quirk and ticks (down to the nervous breathing) had me in stitches. Wonderful actress. I hated that her death scene wasn’t more epic.
How can you get more epic than turning to stone and exploding into a thousand pieces?
I hoped the fight scene would have lasted a bit longer than that. And Bellatrix fell too easily in my opinion. I don’t buy that Molly Weasley was that much stronger than her that all Bellatrix could do was pare.
NO NO NO NO NO! REMEMMBER THAT SPLIT SECOND WHEN HER AND RON LOOKED AT EACH?OTHER AND KISSED for the first time IN THE FRANCHISE! I WAS HAPPPY! CUZ ….THAT FINALLY MADE SENSE! lol. but that part should have been more elaborated…DOnt you think Momo? THey shouldve got more facetime!DAMMIT!
Something struck a chord for me when Greyback was pretty much eating Lavender Brown. However, I did not lose it and break down until Harry went down the stairs and told Ron and Hermione that he was going to sacrifice himself. The way Hermione said, “I’ll go with you” and the look on Ron’s face was just heartbreaking! When did you lose it?
The way Emma Watson said “I’ll go with you” was simply perfect. Such a simple but great line that really went to the essence of her character’s friendship with Harry even if it meant certain death. More powerful than pages of dialogue could ever recreate.
Yeah that part was pretty horrific, especially when you stop and consider that they were all essentially kids. Gory act against women and children always struck a chord with me.
And amen to Hermione’s “I’ll go with you”. I used to rag on her acting in the first 4 movies but she was incredible in the last two, and that scene was oh so powerful.
I lost it a bit when they were running through the courtyard and it was just chaos. The music in that bit is fantastic. But the pensieve scenes were so damn incredible. Especially the lead up to finding Lily’s body. And baby Harry crying behind Snape holding her was so heartbreaking.
But the point that REALLY got me was Hermione saying “I’ll go with you”. That just broke my heart. It meant certain death for the two of them, but she was willing to go just to stay by his side. That’s true friendship and it made me cry like crazy…
Oh I so loved that song that played during the courtyard sequence! It really elevated the scene and made it so much more emotional than just having Harry and co. running around with explosions going on around them.
I’m usually not one to buy soundtrack music, but this I may actually do. Chilling and beautiful.
Both Snape finding Lily and then holding her about broke me. The lead up, the music, the color, the framing. I know we are only halfway through the year, but it’s going to take something to absolutely floor me to remove the scene as favorite of the year.
NO! How abt the BATTLE BETWEEN HArry and VOLDY! PRETTY BAD ASS! When they both got up and started to fight again! ANd then the scene where Harry was flying wit V…was really GAY! lmao! but super cool and creepy at the same time! lol Its like they were makin love in a pile of smoke! lol
Maybe the movie never had a chance to match the hype and expectations but I was left unaffected and disappointed for having been so. I think maybe it is most likely that HP&TDHP2 was just mediocre film making, the result of a decent creative team coming up well short of a very tough challenge. Nothing really resonated for me, nothing really grabbed me. In the end, it wound up being sad for all the wrong reasons.
They should have kept to the book’s version and concluded the movie and series properly with Neville killing Nagini in front of everyone and the final confrontation between Voldemort and Harry being witnessed by ALL. Instead we get Harry and Voldermort off on their own quietly and privately. I was extremely disappointed in the ending of the film.
Agreed I felt the same way. And Voldemort should not have turned to ash he should have died like a human which he was. Something that bugged me was that in the book he never noticed that the horcruxes were being destroyed because of his profound lack of connection, arrogance blah, blah but in the movie he was weakened by their destruction and felt it which I thought was a major deviation from the book. Did he feel it in the book or not, I’ve read them a few times and I’m pretty sure he didn’t. I think the Snape and Harry scene at the boat house when Snape died was beautifully done though.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! lol DID anybody see the scene when VOldemort hugs MALFOY!! he gives him that “CREEPY, IM GONNNA GET U/ MY DEAR BOY!” hug…wit his hands half huggin and half holding his wand! that was absolutely HILARIOUS!!! XD but again I will ask..WTH is wrong wit da ending! wats wit da EPILOGUE! FREAKN GAY! Harry should hav killed voldemort everybody was all happy and then it should’ve ended wit him throwing the wand over. and hermoine sayin ” Dumbledore would be proud.” and then they all walk back to rebuild da castle then fade out. THE END! ….I should be a writer!
I didn’t cry but I did get chills at Snape’s story and the Harry/Hermione hug scene was the saddest of the movie. Rowling didn’t write it but Kloves put it in and it was depressing. I think Ron didn’t understand what the two of them were really implying and that made it a special moment between Harry and Hermione.
I can’t really remember how it was in the books, but from the movies alone, you’d think Harry and Hermione were best friends while Ron is just hanging out in the background. Poor guy had like 4-5 lines in the entire movie, the rest consisted of him either looking confused or running and screaming in slow motion.
If I remember right, Harry only talks to Neville on the way to the Forrest, and that’s it. He sees Ginny as well, but doesn’t stop, as he doesn’t think he could leave her side if he did.
I believe you’re correct. I prefer Kloves’ version though. Much more dramatic. I can’t recall if he had Harry see Ginny at that point but Harry/Hermione fans got a nice bone. I found it amusing that Ron didn’t react much when his girlfriend literally wanted to go and die with Harry.
Ahaha poor Rupert Grint. Kloves is such a huge Harry/Hermione fan, he has really given him the short end of the stick the last couple movies.
I disagree, I much preferred the book version here. I was sobbing when I read his walk to the forest in the book, and the movie was only moderately sad. They kinda took Neville’s scene and gave it to Hermione (as usual Kloves gives Hermione everyone else’s roles). The book had him on this Green Mile kinda walk, passing everyone he loves and not saying anything to them (again, except Neville) as they deal with the bodies of the dead.
I CRIED THE MOMENT I ENTERED THE THEATER AND STARTED SOBBING LIKE A PREGNANT WOMAN WHEN VOLDEMORT FOUND THE ELDER WAND IN DUMBLEDORE’S GRAVE! I’M TEARING UP JUST THINKING ABOUT IT
@Nick. The book version was sad indeed, but translated to the screen, I predict that it would have been another “courtyard apocalypse” type scene, where he would have just walked in slow mo as he passes by everyone with some sad heroic theme playing in the background. That would have been cinematic overkill when a good portion of the movie was already set up as such. Also, they have never done a good job of translating thoughts into a scene, in my opinion. Hence why I never bought the whole Ginny/Harry thing in the movies since a lot of their “courting” in the book was pining from afar.
I can attest of Neon Bodeaux testimony. I was there.
YEA dat was kinda of STUPID! Ron’s always been the “oh okay, you wanna go with harry…DAMMIT! FINE!” kinda guy. lol
Yes agreed what’s with Bonnie Wright and her stick like acting! The Ginny in the book had personality and a back bone. Wright’s portrayal of Ginny is abysmal at best.
I love that she has like zero lines up until the sixth movie. Then suddenly, we are supposed to believe she and Harry are mad in love.
I also felt bad for her for that horrendous wig they had her put on in the epilogue. The years were not very kind to one Ginny Weasley.
That is too funny Momo! But maybe you have a point Castor perhaps the reason there was no chemistry is because there was no investment in the relationship in prior movies but I still think Wright is an awful actress sorry.
THANK YU! CASTOR! I think HArry and that blond chick shoulve hooked up instead of freakn Neville! and wats with the “BEING MARRIED” scene in the end. Harry’s kid’s look like ASSwipes! lol And Hermoine and Ron only get one kid!? WTH! Life was fair to them! ANd hermoine gave birth to a girl dat looks like her little sister! …..I felt like somebody raped me up the butt while i watched that scene….i think i evn twitched alittle..
Lay off Neville, he is a legend! Him and Luna make a great couple. Harry didn’t really need a girlfriend but Rowling couldn’t leave him as a bachelor when Ron got Hermione. Great characters.
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