Note: This review was published, July 10, 2011, but was released at the same time, the opening film weekend.Fourteen years, seven books, eight films, billions of dollars in profits, and an incalculable number of strikes the imagination all the cables up to a certain point. Numbers can help identify JK Rowling's Harry Potter franchise for some, but true fans know that the feeling is the best way to measure the impact of the series. Simple words "Harry Potter" can lead to emotional reactions to specific characters and series, and it helps to remember the experiences we shared the story over the years.
The release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 marks the culmination of long ago and is full of emotional expectations almost insurmountable. Unless otherwise decided Rowling (and can be), this film could very well be the last piece of the canon of Harry Potter. So does the Deathly Hallows Part 2 live up to the hype? I am pleased to say.
Before entering the film, I feel a little Potter personal context is needed. Harry Potter is a series that I am a fan from the beginning. While I was in college when the series began, I was always amused and intrigued by the world of JK Rowling. These books are not just for children, and read the first couple helped fill a gap in the Star Wars predecessors could not. I will attend the midnight release of the books, read voraciously, and then queue to see the first film. Family and friends all came in my passion, I passed the books together. To further develop this connection, the first film - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - was actually one of my first on camera video interview experiences. Suffice it to say, Potter has a special place in my heart and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Relics part 2 was my most anticipated movies of recent years.
It made me feel very, very happy.
If you have not seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, see it now. It is necessary to view. Director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves has no interest in playing catch up. Deathly Hallows Part 2 begins - even before the Warner Bros. logo - right where a left party. But instead of jumping immediately into the action, the film takes a slow, methodical, stoic attitude, even in the beginning. We fell back into the world fully aware that the calm before storm.One spectacular - albeit semi-urgent - action scene later, the story ultimately comes back to Hogwarts. Yates and composer Alexandre Desplat mark the event by invoking John Williams' iconic themes and now fans of the series started to want to be weak in the knees. Yates developer that nostalgia throughout the film in an attempt to raise the stakes by reminding us that the whole world - not just Harry, Ron and Hermione - are affected by the hunting Horcruxes.
From there the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is essentially an action-packed, physically draining sprint to the finish line inevitable. When he takes the rare, extremely important visit, the adrenaline is replaced by heartache.
This rhythm is both the greatest strength of the film's greatest flaw, however. Because we're going so fast, important moments tend to be inserted into or ignored. Yates scored well some of the most representative of the firm, but as they work, others are so disappointing. For a fan, it's easy to forgive these flaws because we are so engrossed in the story - that is my personal opinion - but it's a totally valid criticism that misses the mark Yates on occasion.
Another criticism fans familiar with the source material is no excuse where the two Deathly Hallows part is too faithful to the original text. Most crucial scenes, but the strange book remains unblemished, and after seven films could really moved. Fans will love them and that Yates did not want to go off book, but however there are other cases where not only spell book, but actually improves on the text of Rowling. The heralds of film and clears some of the elements of the story more confusing and has a confrontation culminating more exciting than Rowling. Just as the audience will choose what love and hate about the movie, Yates did some questionable choices. His biggest election itself, a trial was certainly a large part of, was to convert after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 3D. The effect is unnecessary, but rewarding and fun anyway. Choose your poison.
Finally, when the foot is off the accelerator and we know that the end is near, then the Deathly Hallows Part 2 really shines. This is an important film in many ways, and a member of the public feels towards the end. Emotions are thick, and when it goes to black a lot faster then Peter Jackson did Return of the King, is apparently to reach that level of serious Oscar. Not entirely successful, but not enough, which is very rewarding.
You've been a fan of books and movies for years, or even know the history of Potter on screen, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 does not disappoint. Not fans may find it strange, at times, but who cares? Do not come seventh to first place. This film is pretty close to perfect icing on the cake of a franchise that will be remembered for years to come. This is a mature, beautiful, and you may be sad - but happy - when you're done.