Rating of
3.5/4
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
alec96 - wrote on 11/04/11
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. After seven previous movies reaching back an entire decade the Harry Potter series has reached a solid and satisfying end. It was such a good idea to split the last book into to movies. If you are a big fan of the books as I am, you could arguably say that all the movies could have been made into two parts. As good as that might have been, that would have been far to many movies. The final book however has so much in it that one movie could not have done it proper justice. Before going to see the movie I would pop Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 in your DVD player, because if you are not up to speed on what is happening you will be completely lost. I saw the first part the same day I went to go and see the second part. I kind of wish that they had gone with a 4 and a half hour epic. I imagine that most people wouldn't sit through a movie that long though. Probably only die hard Harry Potter fans such as myself would sit through that.
The story picks up right where the last one ended. We open with Harry, Ron, and Hermoine at Bill and Fleur's after narrowly escaping from Malfoy Manor. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine continue searching for Horucruxes as Voldemort becomes even stronger. Voldemort has completely taken over Hogwarts and the school is desperately trying to defend themselves, even with Snape as Headmaster and Dementors everywhere in the grounds. When they discover there is a Horocrux inside the school, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine must secretly get inside the school to find and destroy it. This will be difficult considering that Snape and the Death Eaters are searching for him. If they can find a way into Hogwarts, they will have to figure out a way to defeat Voldemort once and for all. The stakes have never been higher.
These two movies are really one, and they work best as a whole. This part didn't have or need much development because the first part had already set everything up. But standing alone they are still good movies. The first part was more of a atmospheric feel. With a big bulk of it showing the isolation between the trio. This second part is more of a fast paced and action filled movie. Still, this movie is just as emotional and equally great as the first part was.
Daniel Radcliffe is great. This is the best performance he has given in the entire series. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are great as well. They have great on screen chemistry together. It has never been as strong in the other movies, but in this one they have it. We have seen the trio grow up on screen, and there acting has improved so much since the first Harry Potter movie. Matthew Lewis is also really good as Neville. Neville finally gets his moment in the sun. The Harry Potter movies have always had a strong supporting cast as well. British Legends Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Micheal Gambon, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, and more. They never get as much screen time as the trio, and they have to share the screen with so many other British Legends. But they are all so great in there roles. Maggie Smith gets her screen time bummed up from her usual one. She shine brightly as Professor McGonagall. Helena Bonham Carter however gets her screen time deluded. She is still good, we just don't see as much of her in this one. Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes are the best out of the cast. Ralph Fiennes is a perfect Voldemort. All of his lines sound convincing, and he is just so evil. Alan Richman has been consistently good in all the Harry Potter movies. After this movie though you can look back at the greatness of his character. Snape is a very complex character, and Rickman plays him to perfection. Overall, all the actors were cast perfectly, and they were all great.
Just like the other Harry potter movies this one has a fantastic score, art direction, cinematography, costumes, and special effects. The big battle of Hogworts is really great watch. There are many other memorable scenes too. I would not see the movie in 3D. It is not that bad, but it doesn’t add anything to the experience. Plus, the movie is dark for the most part and the 3D makes it even darker. The script is given proper care. For a 2 hour movie the dialog is not rushed. Well it is really a 4 and a half hour movie in two parts. Since I am such a big fan of the books, I have a few minor nitpicks here and there. But they are small ones that don't hurt the movie that much.
The Harry Potter movie have had a few directors, but I can say that David Yates is the best. He did a great job on the Harry Potter movies he did. I am sad to see the movies end. At least I can still re watch them. This movie has been compared to the last Lord of the Rings movie. If you put both parts together than it is slightly better. None of the other Potter movies have gotten any Oscars, it's time they did. It deserves a best picture nomination , along with a supporting actor nomination. It also deserves one for the score, art directing, visually effects, makeup, cinematography, sound editing, and maybe director. Have to wait till the years up to see the competition. The Harry Potter series deserves many Oscars. We have really grown to love these characters. This was the proper send off to this magical series.
