Fourteen years ago, JK Rowling released the first book in the saga of boy wizard Harry Potter. Six more novels, three spin-off books, fifteen billion dollars-plus of merchandise, a successful film franchise and a theme park later, the final milestone in the chronicles of Harry Potter is here. As the marketing campaign for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be quick to remind you: It All Ends.
Has a film ever had such a weight of anticipation laid upon its shoulders? Much like those laid upon Harry himself in this final chapter, the expectations on this concluding segment are almost insurmountable. As the culmination of years and years of build-up, backstory and character development it’s fair to say – this is one of the biggest cinema blockbuster events in history.
Watching the final Harry Potter film, it seems the producers have assessed the magnitude of this closing chapter and understood the importance of getting it right, before setting it all aside and simply making the most spectacular finale they possibly can. Just as each new film in the series has brought a different genre to the fore (from mystery, to thriller, to political drama and road movie) Deathly Hallows Part 2 is an all-out fantasy war film, with all that entails – notably many casualties.
As the second half of the adaptation of the final book, Deathly Hallows Part 2 picks up directly where Part 1 left off. Harry, Ron and Hermione have ditched Hogwarts, now under the tyrannous rule of Professor Snape, and have gone in search of the seven Horcruxes – fragments of the evil Lord Voldemort’s soul hidden in various objects. All must be destroyed if He Who Shall Not Be Named is to be defeated. However, what these particular objects are and where they’re hidden is unknown. Meanwhile Voldemort’s army is amassing, ready to seize Hogwarts in a full-on battle that will inevitably lead to the final showdown between the Dark Lord and the Boy Who Lived. If that wasn’t enough, Harry’s also keeping his eyes peeled for the three mythical Deathly Hallows, said to render the owner ‘Master of Death’. Are the Hallows real? And if so, how can Harry possibly find them?
If the majority of that previous paragraph left you feeling like a Muggle lost in the middle of Diagon Alley, then you’d better brush up on your Potter-lore before apparating your way into the cinema. By this point, it’s assumed that you’re either in or you’re out – even for those who might have forgotten a few of the finer details of Deathly Hallows Part 1, a catch-up DVD session is recommended. Part 2 wastes none of its running time in re-acquainting the audience with the wizarding world before heading straight from a muted few minutes of reflection at Shell Cottage to a magnificent break-in at Gringotts bank.
In terms of spectacle, Deathly Hallows Part 2 delivers all of the action beats that audiences have been waiting for. Since Order of the Phoenix, the promise of no-holds-barred wizard duelling has been teased, and when the Battle of Hogwarts comes around it is genuinely stunning. The special effects are absolutely magnificent. As spells are cast back and forth, the universe feels real, inclusive and natural, whilst still being visually striking. The battle is on an absolutely epic scale with Giants, Acromantula and Dementors also entering the fray. Also brilliant is the sequence in Bellatrix Lestrange’s Gringotts vault, where every valuable object touched immediately explodes into multiple identical copies of itself.
However, all of the flashy style would mean nothing if the characters weren’t ones you root for desperately – this is, after all, no Transformers 3. Over the course of the series, the relationship built between the audience and these now iconic characters is such that the sense of finality in Death Hallows Part 2 brings an emotional load to Harry Potter like no other instalment before it. You’ll marvel as you finally see Mrs McGonagall finally display her considerable magical talents, cheer as Mrs Weasley gets her Ripley-in-Aliens moment, and no doubt you’ll shed a tear as a few well-loved faces meet an unfortunate end. The sequence which at last clarifies Snape’s allegiances, one of the stand-out moments of the books, is beautiful here and without doubt the most tear-jerking few minutes of the entire saga. Alan Rickman’s performance is superlative as ever, and this swansong of his character is simply magnificent. When the climactic showdown between Harry and Voldemort comes around, it doesn’t disappoint, and that’s due as much to the emotional build-up as the waving of wands.
Inevitably, moments from the book are missed out, and in order to find a through line in Rowling’s lengthy tome the narrative predominantly follows Harry. You wouldn’t say this about many other Potter films, but at times there’s a feeling that Deathly Hallows Part 2 could have been a little longer, and the battle might have benefitted slightly from taking more time to show the duelling between other wizards in Hogwarts rather than mainly following the titular character. The plot also at times suffers from having too many MacGuffins, and ironically the Hallows themselves are sidelined in the wider scheme of searching for, and destroying, the Horcruxes.
Like the book it’s adapted from, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 isn’t perfect. However, it is a rousing, thrilling and emotional farewell to a generational icon and without a doubt one of the very best films in the series. Over the past four films, director David Yates has successfully concluded a magnificent fantasy epic that lives up to, without surpassing, JK Rowling’s novels. The final scene, an opinion-splitter which actually works much better on film, provides closure on this integral part of the childhoods of many; for those who grew up with the series, the tale of Harry Potter is over and is ready to be passed onto a new generation. Throughout the eight films, the Harry Potter series will crucially be remembered as one which never forgot about thing in particular: the sheer joyous, childlike wonder and spectacle of magic.
Entertainment Value: 4/5
Genre Value: 4.5/5
Style: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
3 comments:
This is coming a bit late in the game :), but I hated a lot of things about this movie. (And I hate how most people unthinkingly fell head over heels for it.)
My biggest complaint aside from all the unnecessary plot changes is that so many actions/interactions don't feel realistically urgent or emotional. Characters who should be going balls to the wall in this huge life-or-death situation are just standing around calmly. One example: Ron and Hermione open the door to the Chamber of Secrets only to stand there as if they're not sure they should go in. Get the fuck in there and grab some fucking basilisk fangs, already!
David Yates has demonstrated a pattern of neutering HP characters emotionally and rendering them so understated that their personalities dissolve. Where's the anger and adrenaline that are naturally a part of this kind of battle? Why is Ginny just sitting across the room after Harry not only turns out to be alive after all, but has finished off the baddest bad guy ever? Lastly and maybe most annoyingly, there was no sense of triumph at the defeat of Voldemort. Sure, loved ones died, but the whole freaking world has been saved! (If not nearly as epically as in the book.)
To me, the book-version of Neville was way more badass than the movie version. He was supposed to be a hardened guerrilla fighter at this point, and yet he still can't look Voldemort in the eye or speak out forcefully to say 'no, I won't be joining you' towards the end. Another neutered character.
And lastly, the duel between Molly Weasley and Bellatrix was completely, totally bungled.
This movie was a huge disappointment, and the above complaints only scratch the surface.
I completely agree with the above commenter. I was also stunned at the positive reviews this film received. Yes, it's the final installment of the Potter films, but that doesn't mean we all have to love it if it sucks, and this movie sucked big time. I'm honestly surprised more Potter fans didn't stand up and cry "outrage!".
When I settled into my seat, hyped to watch this film on opening night, eyes wide with anticipation, Potter apparel donned, I expected to see the ultimate Harry Potter masterpiece. What I got was a crushing sense of disappointment that had me so shocked that instead of applauding wildly, I could only laugh to keep from crying.
It was as if they just stopped trying at the end of the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and said "Let's just wash our hands of this! People will come to see it no matter what because it the freaking final Harry Potter film" What the hell people?! Even a devout Potter fan like me can't bring myself to love this film.
I agree with the above commenter that certain scenes just didn't feel realistic. There was no sense of urgency during the final battle. The scene in which Ron/Hermione open the Chamber of Secrets was absolutely inane to me as well. "Oh, no - never mind that shit is going down upstairs and people are about to die, lets stand here and think about it."
The scene where Harry tells his best friends, Ron and Hermione that he is the last horcrux and is about to go commit suicide in the Forbidden Forest and Ron is in the back like "yeah, I'm frowning, but do what you gotta do, buddy". Shouldn't that scene have elicited a more emotional reaction? They've been friends for years, risking life and limb for each other, seeing each other through thick and thin, and while relying on the power of their friendship, constantly staring death in the face and this is the scene we get when that friendship is about to come to a violent end.
Molly and Bellatrix's battle was completely in a word, pathetic. I can't say much more for Fred's death scene. For the past seven films, this character has been a beloved source of comic relief and heroic justice and all he gets is a shot of him lying dead on the ground. Really? He's freaking Fred! The final blow was Voldemort's death scene where not only does he simply turn into dust and scatters to the winds, but as the previous commenter stated, there was absolutely no sense of triumph.
I really can't express how severe my disappointment in this film was.
Can't thank last two ppl enough -- FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS THE OBVIOUS!!
I was stupendously SHOCKED to see the overwhelming positive reviews of d film... wn I watched it, only 1 thing came to mind: WHAT A MESS!!
I do not take away anything from visual and sound effects, overall look etc. but 2 things COMPLETELY disappointed me: 1, PLOT-CRASHING CHANGES 2, STUPID REACTIONS OF SM MAJOR CHARACTERS @ CRUCIAL TIMES!
Let me vent the pent up feelings by outlining what I mean!! ---
1) VOLDEMORT'S WEIRD LAUGH AND HUGGING DRACO -- GIME A BREAK! When does Voldemort ever hug or show affection?? He even scorns bellatrix, and he's huggin draco?? In d book, he's full of cruelty & scorn 4 d Malfoys ... and here is the freakin' uber-major-worst-villain of all times hugging a kid! What absolute character tarnish!
The laugh is in d 'Harry is dead' scene. Smthn btwn cow's mowing to a kid's crying... not HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED's chilling cold laugh!
2) GINNY: What absolute failed potrayal..complete bollywood style ("Neville, who is in Hagrid's arms??")...just hanging around Fred's body.. not one genuine smile, no fear, no movement of eyes, nothing fiery and spirited!
3) NAGINI'S KILLING: I cudnt blv it... the scariest villain is standing in front of you, and instead of shaking in fear bt showing courage and shouting out a NO, we hear an emotional speech by Neville (harry is in our heaaaaarts).. eww!! Voldemort we know would b disgusted at this open display of weakness and punish Neville as in d book (head on fire with d Sorting Hat). And why change this perrfect way of killing Nagini?! Whats the point&benefit?! just made it more stupid and less heroic!
3) WHERE'S THE CLOAK HARRY?! - Harry Potter, the boy who pretended, is running like an action hero in front of Voldemort's eyes, and all he does is gape. This is d bad-guy who cracks d sky when angry, and here he is seeing the boy-who-lived, live AGAIN and all he does is half-hearted curses? Why on earth isn't harry asin the book rolling off wearing a cloak, deflecting voldemort's curses off his friends, protecting others?
4)FLYIN WITH TOM RIDDLE - again, WHAT ON EARTH?! Why is Harry Potter flying all over Hogwarts with Voldemort without even being cursed? Seriously, I was ROFL at the absolute stupidity of this scene.. They r boxing & pinching each other's faces like B-grade gangsters!
5) WHERE'S D AUDIENCE?! -- The Last Battle between V and H is an absolute disappointment. Whrs the entire Hogwarts, students and teachers, bated breath, watching d epic battle btwn d most evil wizard of all times and the Chosen One?? Oh no, thot Harry, why bother , let's just do it in a quiet corner of Hogwarts! Sheer nonsense!
6) HERMIONE & RON -- Oh Man..this actually hurt. Their best friend, constant companion in tryin' 2kill d worst criminal in history is going to hand himself in..and u... cry and look sorry. Thrs no way Hermione would evn let him go & Ron wud jus frown away..!! She tuk the Cruciatus Curse and he retrieved the Gryffindor Sword...n yet, "oh well.. it was good while it lasted... good riddance Harry... we were too busy kissing anyway"!
7) WHRS THE JUBILATION?!! - Seriously. Voldemort, He Who Must Not be Named, the killer, the villain, the most feared wizard, the cruelest, the freakiest guy in the world is DEAD .. and all they show is... people looking like there was an earthquake and now they must clear up the mess. Show some emotion!! And whats the last hug wit Hagrid all about? There was more warmth in Hagrid's and Harry's hug at the end of the 1st movie when he sent him off than now!
Lots more bt honestly, I was so disappointed.
Forgive the typos! Here's hoping for a remake!
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