Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Movie Review

A Movie Review By Joseph Hagen

After 10 years of Harry Potter films ranging in scope from mediocre to spectacular, I had high hopes for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2. As a true fan of both the Harry Potter books and movies, I was anxious to see how filmmakers would handle the last chapter in the saga of our bespectacled hero, especially following the disappointment of the sluggish Deathly Hallows Part 1. Thankfully, the film is a gripping, emotional and ultimately rewarding conclusion to a fantastic series of movies.

The film really needs little setup, but in a nutshell, Harry Potter seeks to finally defeat the evil Lord Voldermort in a final epic battle. Part 2 picks up immediately where Part 1 left off. A relatively slow first 10 minutes soon blossom into a perfectly paced film, a feat not realized in the Potter films since The Prisoner of Azkaban.

The action scenes in Part 2 are the best of the series. The battle of Hogwarts castle is visually spectacular with bursts of light, well-choreographed fights and jaw-dropping special effects. I hate to beat a dead Buckbeak, but again, the battles scenes are paced perfectly and allow the audience to breathe and truly savor these final moments. As the castle itself comes to life with ax wielding statues jumping off the wall to defend their home against the forces of evil, I felt goose bumps appear on my arm. I could not help myself from whispering aloud: “That is freaking awesome!”

Another strength of Part 2 is that the film takes itself more seriously that most of its counterparts. The movie stays laser-focused on the main characters and allows really fun supporting characters to be just that, SUPPORTING characters. One sweeping shot through Hogwarts after a long battle is enough to show you the fate of your favorite Potter side character. Thankfully, the film does not bother itself, or you, with long drawn out goodbyes and individual battle scenes. For this, I give the director a giant huzzah.

Harry, again played by Daniel Radcliffe, seizes his role like never before. He is stronger, more believable and subsequently, delivers his strongest performance in the series.

No Potter movie review would be complete without addressing the fact that the movie and the book have disparities. I call for Potter fanatics to go to the film and let it be what it is. Yes, there are differences, but the decisions of what to cut and what to add are tasteful and well done. If the book is tied to your ankle via ball and chain, then do yourself a favor and stay home and read the book.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hollows Part 2 is a wonderfully imaginative, amazingly paced film that is a satisfying and fantastic conclusion to a great series of films. When the audience finished applauding, I left the theater with a smile on my face. All that was left to say was: “Well done, Harry. Well done.”

Memorable quote:
“Let’s end this the way we started, together!” – Harry Potter