Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) by Branham N — 24 Aug 2013

"Harry Potter. The boy who lived. Come to doe.".

Every generation has a film that defines their childhood. For my grandparents, it was films like Gone with the Wind and The Ten Commandments. For my parents, films like Jaws, Star Wars, and Raiders of the Lost Ark defined their childhood years. But in my generation, besides The Avengers and The Dark Knight, the film that really defines my childhood is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the final chapter in an eight-film, ten-year franchise. And boy, did they save the best for last.

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is down to the final Horcruxes in his quest do destroy Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) immortality. His quest leads him, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) through an exciting break-in at Gringotts Bank and then return to Hogwarts to lead the final battle of Voldemort's terror.

Many return to be in this epic finale, including Alan Rickman as Snape, Maggie Smith as McGonagall, Michael Gambon as Dumblebore (in flashback scenes), Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, Jason Isaccs as Draco's father, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, John Hurt as Ollivander, Warwick Davis as the small professor Flitwick and the sneaky goblin Griphook, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Julie Walters as Mrs. Weasley, and Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood.

In most film franchises, sequels tend to run out of steam by the time they get to the third or fourth film, but each Harry Potter film has entertained me each time. Look at my ratings for the previous films: Sorcerer's Stone-70%, Chamber of Secrets-90%, Prisoner of Azkaban-100%, Goblet of Fire-90%, Order of the Phoenix-100%, Half-Blood Prince-80%, and Deathly Hallows Part 1-100%. Other than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there hasn't been a rotten film in the franchise in recent years, and with Deathly Hallows Part 2, that fresh streak ends on a super high note.

Oh my, where to begin? Well, first off, the action sequences are thrilling and spectacularly filmed. The battle sequences are only put in the background, focusing on Harry's journey instead, but what is shown is some of the most amazing action sequences put on film in recent years. The PG-13 rating is definitely earned here, with higher death tolls, insane wand flickerings, and loads and loads of visual wonder. The said Gringotts raid that opens the film delights as well, even if the Hogwarts battle drown it out.

The visuals, hands down, are the best in the franchise. That dragon is the most realistic dragon I've seen yet on film (Smaug will be hard to top), all the statues and giants in battle amaze, and the climatic showdown between Harry and Voldemort? The craziest, intense climax both visually and emotionally.

And speaking of emotionally, the emotional factor raises super high in this film. Harry risks it all to protect himself and his friends in the crumbled Hogwarts, and it really shines on the camera. The best scene in the entire film, believe it or not, is not an action sequence. For me, it would be a flashback sequence revealing the backstory of Snape's past. Without any spoilers, one of the most emotional and phenomenal moments I've witnessed, even with many melodramas out there, this is drama gold right here.

Some have complained over the lack of character development in this one. Well, this is the eight film for crying out loud! We already know who Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Voldemort are, we know their personalities already! Why do they have to be redeveloped again? Generally in film, I want character development, but since I know the characters already, the heavy action which dominates roughly 95% of the picture suited me fine, and I was wowed.

The acting, once again, delivers. Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint shines for the last time and bid a strong farewell that could make anyone weep. Watson generally stole the show before, but in this film, the best of the three was easily Radcliffe, due to his emotional complexity and his eagerness to sacrifice himself to protect his friends. Ralph Fiennes is at his creepiest as You-Know-Who, and is also his most intimidating. Helena Bonham Carter thrills as Bellatrix, and has a good imitation of Watson in one scene that you'd think Watson was doing the scene. But Alan Rickman put out the best acting performance here as Snape, especially in the flashback scenes. I've already mentioned it before, it's an emotional scene. You might cry. Enjoy it.

Each character gets to shine their best in this film. For Harry, it's the final showdown. For Ron and Hermione, an epic kiss. For McGonagall. to whoop on Snape. For Mrs. Weasley, to whoop on Bellatrix. For Luna, to help out Harry. For Neville, to finally show his braveness in battle. And for Snape, to show his true self that could shock people.

Alexandre Desplat returns to score the finale, and it's phenomenal. He even broght back some John Williams themes for this one, and it sums up the finale perfectly. Some of his new themes introduced here are chilling, especially one focused on Lily, Harry's mom. Out of all the scores in the franchise, Desplat's score here would make my Top 2, along with Williams score for Prisoner of Azkaban.

It may have taken ten long, hard years to make, but the wait paid off, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a visual wonder, an epic finale, and an emotional, wonderful conclusion to one of the most memorable franchises in recent years. Out of all the directors who made a Potter film, it's David Yates, who made this and the previous three, who stood out the most. This is the best Potter film and one of the best final chapters out there, along with Return of the Jedi (well, not anymore), The Dark Knight Rises, and Return of the King. If you haven't watched a Potter film yet, don't start here. Start with the beginning, then pick up, and you'll see how truly wonderful this film is.