Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review

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And so the Harry Potter series has finally come to an end on the big screen. After 8 movies and over $2 billion domestically in theatrical revenue, it’s safe to say that the series had a successful run. It’ll be interesting to find out how the careers of the three main young actors playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione will pan out. Whether they’ll continue acting or move into other areas of the movie industry, or simply leave the industry altogether we have yet to see. All three of them have developed into mature actors who’ve helped define the characters they portray in the movies. It’s a shame that we’ll never again see them as the three beloved friends who’ve stuck side by side throughout their Hogwarts years.

A lot of people were apparently displeased with Part 1 of Deathly Hallows, with too much talking and not enough action. That should not be a problem with Part 2. Even though there are points in the movie where dialogue is necessary and it slows the pace a bit, there is enough action to satisfy any Harry Potter fan. I am not certain that if the two parts were put together (one after the other and seen as one whole four and a half hour film), that it would have turned out to be a better film. The fact that the pace is significantly different in the two parts, made no sense for them to be put together but as separate films, they both work well.

Even though most people seeing the movie have probably read the books and know the plotlines, I won’t spoil anything for those who aren’t aware of what might happen at the end (in all honesty though, if you’re surprised by who wins, then you probably haven’t seen many Hollywood films), or which characters find their unfortunate end in this final chapter. As you know if you’ve seen Part 1, the trio continues their search for the horcruxes, which are objects containing parts of Voldemort’s soul, leading them to Gringott’s Bank in Diagon Alley where they must escape with the help of a dragon, and then finally, and rightfully, back to Hogwarts, where another horcrux lies; the rest of the film takes place at Hogwarts, where the ‘final battle’ happens. Everything else you need to know about the plot you can find out by watching the movie.

It’s nice to see some of the older actors whose roles have really been absent in the past few films getting a chance to step up and get back into the spotlight. McGonagall was one of my favourite characters in this film, even though I really did not like her that much in the earlier ones. Neville also has a much greater role in this film and comes out as a hero, which you will have known if you read the book. Lucius Malfoy has a greater role in this film and actually shows some emotion unlike in the previous one; but his role is still the same and his character just as weak and funny. Dumbledore ended up looking like somewhat of an asshole in the movie, not seeming to really care for Harry. I’m not too happy with this, because Dumbledore is clearly not an asshole in the book. They could have made him out to be a more proper and kinder person, as I’m sure everyone who read the book imagined him to be. And thankfully, Snape, played by the masterful Alan Rickman, had a greater role in Part 2 than he did in Part 1. And not only was his role greater, but it was also different, requiring him to show never-before-seen emotion by his character, portrayed wonderfully by Rickman. He finally got the attention he deserved and for his performance, Snape’s character will never be forgotten.

The direction by David Yates is also fantastic. I don’t know why they kept on changing directors for the first five films (four directors for the first five films), but after watching Order of the Phoenix, it was clear that Yates was the most skilled director and his return would be an asset to the franchise. The angles are done well, the scenes transition at the right moments, and he never fails to make an emotional scene seem any less moving than it would be in real life (unlike Sam Raimi in Spider-Man 3 when Peter and Mary Jane are crying on the bridge – people in the theatre laughed, that’s how bad it was).

I’ve never been more satisfied with the music in a Harry Potter film. The new pieces created for the film are truly excellent, and some of the music not heard since the first Harry Potter film is back. I know it’s unlikely for Harry Potter to get nominated for an Oscar in any category except for maybe sound and effects, but the Academy should consider them for Best Original Score. The music created by John Williams won’t be up for the Oscar, but the new music heard throughout the film is deserved of an Oscar nod.

Some diehard fans may not be happy that too much from the book was left out, but most people will not want to sit through a 15 hour film. The main parts and the more important parts are there, and the movie delivers them emphatically.

Score: 9.5/10