Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) by Michelle A — 08 Aug 2017

Harry Potter for the Win.

The ending to one of the most iconic film franchises the world has ever seen did not disappoint. David Yates has a masterful performance with the flow of the movie, and Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have truly grown into fabulous actors over the last 10 years. You will leave the theater asking for more, but everything good must have an end.

Chances are, if you are reading this review, you are on the fence whether or not you should invest time getting into the Harry Potter series. Having seen all of the movies, I would recommend you do, because the movies and story are very entertaining and will leave you wanting more. If you do not want to read the books or do not have time to watch all of the movies, I would advise you to start by watching the fourth movie to get a good grip on the story line.

In the Harry Potter series, we journey with Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), as they discover what magic really is and learn their first spells in order to defeat fierce creatures such as dragons, werewolves, and Basilisks (huge snakes). We are with them every step of the way, including the conclusion of their story, when they look to end their fight against Harry's arch-nemesis, Lord Voldemort.

Harry, accompanied by his two best friends, journeys throughout the land, completing the almost impossible task of finding all the pieces of Lord Voldemort's soul in order to destroy him once and for all. Having spent his entire life suffering through the fact that he lost his parents and did not learn who he really was until age 11, you effortlessly step in Harry's shoes as he journeys through Hogwarts and beyond.

Harry sees many people he loves die for the cause of defeating Voldemort and his followers once and for all, and even sees a man who he has grown to hate, his former Potions teacher, Professor Snape, a man believed to be working for Voldemort, be murdered by his master in order to obtain more power.

Having the ability to see certain memories Professor Snape had, even after death, Harry has revealed to him two shocking truths: Professor Snape, a man so hated by those on the other side, has secretly been helping Harry throughout his 7 years of school and travels, and that in order for Harry defeat Voldemort, he must die, because part of Voldemort is inside of Harry.

As a member of the audience, you immediately feel for Harry, he having worked tirelessly at the risk of his own life and the lives of those he loves, only to find out near the end that he needed to die.

Harry knows and is willing to sacrifice himself and finally understands the use of an artifact he obtained earlier, a stone he could use to see those closest to him who have moved on to the other side of the veil, such as his parents, whom he has never met before in his life.

Everything is brought to one final duel between Voldemort and Harry, a fight with so much on the line that it rivals other notable fights, such as Darth Vader vs. Luke Skywalker or Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed.

In the end though, good triumphs evil, the brave beat the cowardly, the boy who lived beats the seemingly immortal man, and the threat of a dictator over the magical world in Europe is dismissed by the love and courage of a 18 year old boy.

David Yates did a masterful job organizing the scenes, having it all tie in together, and makes you leave the theater with no regrets, no thoughts of "I wish they had done this", nor questions unanswered. It was a truly masterful performance over all.

Rating: 3.7/4.