Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part II

Release Date: Friday, July 15, 2011 (Nationwide)

Rating ★★★★★★

Watching this film in IMAX 3D enhanced my viewing pleasure exponentially. Of course, being able to see the film before the nationwide release was even better. But don’t worry if you don’t have access to an IMAX 3D theatre, this film transcends its brilliance in 3D, 2D, or no D.

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Being an avid fan of the popular “Harry Potter” series written by J.K. Rowling, the final two films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1-2, (HPDH-P1/P2) are bittersweet. As ecstatically anxious as I was to watch this final film, a part of me didn’t want to, knowing it’ll be the last time I’ll see Harry (Daniel Radcliffe,) Ron (Rupert Grint,) and Hermione (Emma Watson,) along with the rest of the cast as one unit. I wanted to prolong the ending but of course I couldn’t help myself – I had to see the movie!

At first, I viewed this series as a collection of children’s books and read them with my daughter. But I soon found myself so enchanted with the fantastic, descriptive writing, I began to read them on my own. I voraciously devoured each book, salivating with each turn of the page, desperately wanting to know as much as possible about this incredible magical world. I wish the theatre served Butter Beers.

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For the many fans who’ve read the books, HPDH-P1/P2 more than lives up to the story as written by the amazing Rowling. Without spoiling it for those who haven’t read the books, HPDH-P2 picks up exactly where HPDH-P1 left off as Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) takes the Elder Wand from the tomb of Professor Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). As Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their tireless and exhausting search for the remaining horcruxes (various objects that contain pieces of Voldemort’s soul), Harry begins to feel Voldemort more and more.

In the seventh book, Voldemort doesn’t realize most of the horcruxes have been destroyed, but he does in HPDH-P2. We know, as with any book turned film, the adaptation of the book will not be an exact replica. However, director David Yates, along with screenwriter Steve Kloves (who has written seven of the eight film screenplays), doesn’t deviate much in the cinematic retelling with these final two films.

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Harry must ask the goblin Griphook (Warwick Davis) for a costly favor – break into Bellatrix Lestrange’s (Helena Bonham Carter) vault at Gringott’s Bank. I was thrilled at the wonderful depiction of the dragon guarding the vaults. The amazing CGI details make you believe this enormous winged beast truly exists. Bonham Carter embodies Bellatrix with such ferocious tenacity and undoubted conviction that I cringe when she speaks. The battle scene between Bellatrix and Ron’s mother, Molly Weasley (Julie Walters), is wrought with tension.

I’m far from being a delicate flower, but damn it, I cried at least twice during the film. There are some truly gripping and tragic moments during the battle at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that leave many of our favorite characters dead. As Harry and his friends search Hogwarts castle for a mysterious horcrux that “no one alive” has seen in the last century, there is one horcrux that will prove most deadly to destroy because it isn’t an inanimate object – it’s alive!

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There is a reason Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) killed Dumbledore, one which will change your perspective on how you’ve viewed Snape up to this point in the stories. Rickman has been absolutely stellar in this role. He literally brought Rowling’s version of Snape to life. Rickman’s outstanding acting ability and timing of his words–the stress and emphasis on the syllables– are truly genius. Snape’s motivation and subsequent actions are devastatingly beautiful and hauntingly courageous.

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And if you’re wondering whether Ron and Hermione finally seal their unspoken love with a kiss, let’s just say you won’t be disappointed. The entire theatre joyously applauded the moment with vigor. And there’s another Hogwarts student who has an unspoken love for someone. (Hint: he’s a whiz at Herbology and the object of his desire knows a lot about Wrackspurts.)

Ultimately, Harry knows he must face Voldemort alone. Now that we are at the end, will the tiny golden Snitch finally “open at the close?” What will be hidden inside? And there is another horcrux that even He Who Must Not Be Named didn’t intend to create. “…neither can live while the other survives.”

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If you have the time, read the book before part two of the film is released on Friday, July 15^th. Or read it while you’re waiting in line (you know you’re going to be there a while). In any adaptation, there are always small, yet wonderful, details that are left out due to production timing and costs; however, the final two films have proven to be more true to the books—and just as enthralling.

At the end of the screening, hosted by the Los Angeles Times – Hero Complex, moderator Geoff Boucher introduced the director David Yates and they chatted about the last four films with Yates directed and what it was like to shoot the final film.
HPDH-P2 Photos from IMDB.com, All photos courtesy of © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R Harry Potter character, names, and related individuals

Movie poster photos taken by Judy Manning at the theatre.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.