Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 marks the end of a cinematic fantasy saga that began a decade ago. Epic and thrilling, its conclusion will be met with mixed emotions. But two things are certain: The franchise will continue to enchant viewers for years to come. Also, the filmmakers saved the best for last.
In the span of ten years we’ve witnessed an 11-year-old boy, who looks like his forehead had a run in with Zorro’s blade, start his first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; now he’s no longer a boy wizard but rather a young hero who squares off against Voldemort, the dark wizard that’s tormented him for years and killed his parents when he was a newborn.
For those that have read J.K. Rowling’s books in their entirety, having endured late nights, no showers and the occasional paper cut leafing through the pages quickly, you already know how it ends. Those who know the series by only watching the seven previous movies you probably have an idea about the resolution. What will come as a surprise is some of the characters that perish as a result.
Every new installment in this series builds on the former. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is no exception. It may be the shortest Harry Potter film (at 130 minutes), but it by the far the most entertaining and action-packed fantasy adventure of the series (which clocks in at an amazing 19 hour and 40 minutes all strung together).
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was good, though it became frustrating knowing it would end without a proper conclusion. Heroes Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are on a quest to locate and destroy the “horcruxes” that will make Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) vulnerable. The first part involved a lot of walking and dawdling. Part 2 picks up right where the first part ended – with Voldemort discovering the “Elder Wand,” the most powerful wand in existence, and the heroic trio still searching for the last few horcruxes. By this point the quest is almost over and the pace picks up once the Battle of Hogwarts begins. The battle sequence is a stunner, involving hero wizards against Voldemort’s army of Death Eaters and other evil creatures. It all moves swiftly toward the climatic confrontation between Harry and Voldemort. A moment that will have eyes glued to the screen as moviegoers watch in hushed silence.
As someone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading all the books, I’ve watched the series mostly as an outsider. While some of my friends – and Harry Potter purists, for that matter – have cried fouled at the changes made from the books, I’ve remained oblivious, able to appreciate them as cinematic works. Up until the release of The Deathly Hallows Part 2 my favorite in the series had been Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, for it was the entry where the series began to shift from light-hearted to dark and serious fare.
With The Deathly Hallows Part 2 the series is at its darkest point in terms of looks (most of the action occurs at night or in chambers) and subject. It also proves to be one last hurrah for the three heroes as the series ends on a high note. Some will find the Harry and Voldemort’s face-off to be anticlimactic. Though the entire series is more than just Harry’s showdown with his arch nemesis. It’s about growth and Harry realizing his destiny. Harry began as an innocent. He was the Boy Who Lived despite Voldemort’s best efforts to kill him when he was just a baby. As Harry has grown we have grown. To put it into perspective, eight year olds who started reading the series back in 1997 have graduated from college. Friends I went to school with have married and given birth to children with whom they can share their love of Harry Potter.
Deathly Hallows Part 2 must be an exception to the film rule that says you need a beginning, middle and end. It is a film with no open, just a long climax with a resounding finale. Yet it is the series’ most cohesive installment by far. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have come of age and have fully matured into their respective roles – their performances are noticeably different (improved) from when they began production on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone back in 2000. Matched against British thespians like Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes they don’t look doubtful in their delivery.
As a short aside, here is a quick note about the film’s presentation in 3-D. The post-production conversion to 3-D is a wasted effort on the part of Warner Bros. The film is specifically shot in darkness to help emphasize the tone of the film. So wearing dark frames only hinders the 3-D effects causing blurry images at times and additional dimness. Why make an effort to strain your eyes or take a chunk out of pocketbook. The movie was shot in 2-D so see it that way.
So that’s it. We’ve reached the end of seeing Harry Potter and his cinematic adventures. The epilogue serves as a fitting exit that fans of the novels and films will enjoy. Thanks for the memories, Harry.
Director: David Yates
Notable Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, David Thewlis
Writer(s): David Yates, based on the novel “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling
