I think that most of us know the plot by now. Voldemort has just gotten the Elder Wand, and Harry and Co. are searching for the remaining horcruxes. This starts with an intense break-in to Gringotts Bank, which is very intense and well done. Once the trio breaks into Hogwarts, that's when things begin. The Battle of Hogwarts is not only the most action-packed sequence in any movie so far, but it sets the stage for some emotional setbacks, so get the kleenexes ready. We also delve deep into Severus Snape's story, and see where his true loyalties lie, and these were among my favorite scenes in the movie. We see our heros journey back to past areas of Hogwarts untouched, like the Chamber of Secrets, and the Room of Requirement, which makes for some blast-to-the-past moments that everyone will enjoy. We even meet new characters, in the form of Aberforth Dumbledore, who helps Harry break into Hogwarts, and the Grey Lady, Ravenclaw's ghost who hides a dark secret. After the dust settles, the film is over, and we get a fun epilogue showing our heros ship their kids off to Hogwarts 19 years later. It's fun to see each character older, and this makes for some theater laughs, as well as some cries.
Being the last film in the franchise, and part two of the seventh book, pacing is key for this movie to succeed. David Yates does a great job of balancing action with more calmer scenes, and this is well appreciated. Some scenes are a bit rushed, especially the Gringotts scene, but the Hogwarts Battle is very in-depth and extensive, down to each character's demise. You'll appreciate the attention to detail that is thrown in, and fans of the book will be in for a special treat. Of course, as a book-to-movie film, there has to be some sacrifices here in there in terms of story. I won't spoil anything, but the producers have done a great job of pretending like nothing was changed, and, in my opinion, some changes were even for the better, and make the movie flow much more effectively. Some character's deaths are glossed over with a brush of the hand, which is disappointing, and just seeing their dead corpse on the ground isn't enough to get emotional about. There is one scene, however, that trumps all the rest, and it involves none other than Mr. Severus Snape, who happens to be my favorite character. Like I said earlier, we jump into his backstory, and a very long scene with his memories being shown is very, very emotional.
Acting in Part II couldn't be any better. We've grown up with this trio, and watched them learn and grow as young actors, which only adds to the emotional quality of the film. Daniel Radcliffe has probably grown the most, and in the stunning conclusion in the Forbidden Forest and at King's Cross, we really see his culmination of all his previous work in past Potter films. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, too, have grown immensely, and we finally see how those two end up. Alan Rickman gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Snape, and it's still a wonder to me of why he's gotten no recognition for this fine role that he's played over the years. Even Michael Gambon, who plays Dumbledore, gets a lot of screen time, what with his character being dead. In one of my favorite scenes, Harry and Dumbledore take a walk through the station, just as friends, and just talk. Other standouts include Tom Felton as Draco and his cast of family, who get to show their allegiance, and they show it quite well. One of the best performances in Ralph Fiennes, as Lord Voldemort, who I think is finally represented as the evil villain in this one, and the final showdown between him and Harry is a sight to behold. One thing about the acting that I really loved was that past Hogwarts friends got a lot of scenes to show their worth. Professor McGonagall, one of my favorites, gets a host of laughs, as she leads the professors in protecting the castle. Slughorn, Flitwick, and even Mr. Filch get well-deserved screen time, and it's a treat to see your favortie professors aid in the battle. Other characters like Neville, Luna, Ginny, and even Seamus and Dean get many scenes, which is well appreciated and will make you laugh out loud, especially when Seamus and Neville blow up a bridge. Neville's final showdown with Voldemort's snake, Nigini, is also a great spectacle.
Of course, being the Battle of Hogwarts, expect a lot of explosions and rubble. It's a sight seeing Voldemort and his Death Eaters cast spell after spell at the castle's protective barrier, and seeing it fall apart acts like a ticking clock for Harry and friends. Seeing the Hogwarts set in pieces is very depressing, especially since we've all grown to love the castle and all its nooks and crannies. Special effects are very well done, and wand flair has received an added touch since previous films, which should be noted. The film was also shot in 3D, so if you get the chance to see it in 3D, definitely do so, as the movie benefits well from it. One gripe about the visuals that I noted is that some characters, mainly villains, kind of just explode into confetti when they die, which is sort of nonsensical, but once again, it's a very minor gripe. Alexandre Desplat also reprises his role as conductor, and the soundtrack is just as good as it was in Part One, balancing emotion with action. We even get to hear past tunes that really bring back memories, like Hedwig's Theme, and the Platform 9 and 3/4 tune.
As the end of an era of wizards, Harry and company get a proper sendoff in the form of Deathly Hallows Part Two. The pacing is excellent, the acting is superb, and the emotional quality that this film can possess is beyond me. Luckily for us, Harry Potter is not over. If you are a true Potter fan then you will listen to the great words of Albus Dumbledore: 'I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me...', 'To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.' The Harry Potter phenomenon isn't going to die, but rather move on, away from the actors and movies. With Pottermore, the theme park, and maybe even more books, Jo knows how to keep fans at bay. Now that the Potter movies are finished, there's only one thing left to say: Mischief Managed
Overall: 5.0/5.0
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