Film Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

The six-month wait from part one to part two and decade-long journey has finally come to an end.  Virtually never before has such a motion-picture phenomenon existed, at least at the level of anticipation this film has received.  The Harry Potter franchise is nothing short of remarkable, in every sense of the word; it is a grand achievement on numerous levels, from continuity of actors, production design, and themes to the notable improvement from one installment to the next and ultimately to the epic finale.  While it is not perfect, the film is a pure blockbuster that fans will love, casual moviegoers will be enchanted by, and even critics of the series must admit that this concluding chapter is impressive.  It is not only visually captivating but also emotionally powerful as it resonates on more levels than any of the previous films have done.  In fact, it is a summer blockbuster that deserves some award recognition.  The movie is at least one the best, if not the best, of the series and a largely satisfying conclusion that alleviates the sorrow one may feel with the passing of the film franchise.

However, it does not possess quite the cathartic experience like we all had with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), nor does it completely satisfy all expectations; in particular those who have read the novels may feel disappointed with how some story elements were either changed or omitted.  In addition, due to its brisk pace, making this installment the shortest of the series, its denouement/epilogue seems rather rushed for a journey that has captivated us for a decade.  Nonetheless, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) is a worthy finale that captures the best pieces of its predecessors and then some with thrilling special effects wizardry, brilliant performances and best of all, undeniable emotion.  It is movie magic that must be seen on the big-screen as it is one of the biggest cinematic events of this century.  In short, it is a near classic that caps the [currently] highest grossing franchise in film history.

Forewarning: While no [major] spoilers will be overtly revealed about Part 2, those of you who have not seen the previous films may want to do so before reading this review or seeing the movie; this review does not spend much time bringing you up to date with all the past details.  Besides, watching the movie will be much more enjoyable and worthwhile if you have seen the others first.  Also, I have not read the novel, so this review only has a brief analysis of how well it has been adapted to film (largely based on consensus reports/critiques).

Plot Synopsis 

Deathly Hallows, Part 2 wastes no time returning to the story exactly where Part 1 left off: Lord Voldemort obtained the Elder Wand as Harry, Ron, and Hermione escaped Malfoy manor, landed on the beach at Shell Cottage and buried the beloved free house-elf Dobby.  While three of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, Marvolo Gaunt’s ring, Tom Riddle’s diary, and Salazar Slytherin’s Locket, had been destroyed up to that point, the trio still has at least three more to find and destroy – this mission takes up roughly a third of the movie as they must pull off a treacherous heist and return to a much more gloomy Hogwarts, which had become a sort of Nazi concentration camp or Soviet gulag since the mystifying Professor Severus Snape had become headmaster after killing the legendary Albus Dumbledore.  Their expedition is twice as perilous since everyone in the wizarding world is after the three and Voldemort himself becomes aware of their operation to destroy his pieces of immortality.  As Harry attempts to complete this task, Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters lay siege to the ancient school/castle to get to Harry and punish those who get in his way, which ultimately leads to the long-awaited final showdown between the two characters.

Unparalleled Filmmaking Continuity

Director David Yates, who has helmed the second half of the series with Order of the Phoenix (2007), Half-Blood Prince (2009), and both Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows movies, goes all out this time around and once again turns the Potter universe even darker.  Along with screenwriter Steve Kloves, who has penned every Harry Potter film except for Order of the Phoenix, the two provide steady hands in adapting the bittersweet final installment.  The solemn, menacing tone set early on in the film is palpable; from the cold, muted colors of Snape overlooking the grave Hogwarts procession of students to the quietly ominous conversations with Griphook and Ollivander, the audience senses the dread.  After that, Yates quickly accelerates the pace and changes the tone from atmospheric to action-oriented.

In turn, some of the finer character development moments are absent or rushed/forced (with the exception of two major characters).  Still, one must give Kloves credit for adapting the lengthy novels into a streamlined, largely continuous set of movies; not everything can be included or given lots of screen-time.  Then again, as the shortest installment in the series, clocking in at two hours and ten minutes, one would imagine a longer conclusion would have been made, even if that meant angering some casual viewers with a long, perhaps overstuffed movie that could drag at times; the filmmakers owed it to the fans not only to go out with a bang, which they did, but also to completely and gracefully wrap every storyline up, which they did to a degree, since this is, and should be, the last Potter film.  More on the epilogue later…

A Near Epic Conclusion

The set pieces are filled with dazzling visuals, from the heist at Gringotts to the various Battle of Hogwarts scenes.  Cinematographer Eduardo Serra, who also shot the gorgeous and moody Part 1, gives viewers another visual feast with thrilling action and somber tones.  However, the assault on the castle may underwhelm some viewers as it feels a bit rushed; for instance, diehard fans will likely wish the filmmakers had taken more time to show more of the characters that we have come to know and love fighting the Death Eaters.  Thus, the primary assault fails to evoke intense emotion and thus misses becoming a classic, epic big-screen battle (i.e. Minas Tirith in Return of the King).  Perhaps one of the best fight scenes of the series remains the one at the end of The Order of the Phoenix where Bellatrix’s maniacal laugh haunts the viewer from the beginning of the battle to her “IIIII killed Sirius Black!” chant.  Still, it is very entertaining and has some special moments, such as Neville Longbottom’s heroics and Molly Weasley’s brief but crowd-pleasing duel.

As for the final showdown, purists will criticize the filmmakers’ handling of the scene. One cannot help but feel it is a bit underwhelming by the time it actually comes and the way in which it is executed.  For example, such critics will wish more had been said between the two wizards, like in the book.  Also, perhaps more people should have witnessed it, and its immediate follow-up is subdued instead of celebratory and utterly affecting.  Then again, the surviving characters have just lived through a full-blown war and are mourning the losses of loved ones so forgive them for not having a parade.  Still, fans of the novels and movies probably deserved more excitement and exposition in that particular scene.  In any case, the fight is still an entertaining and its aftermath, though altered slightly (i.e. Elder Wand fate), is handled decently.  The change actually makes the character seem better since no one should have the power to become the master of death.

Goodbye to Loved Ones: The Cast of the Harry Potter Universe Bids Adieu

Yet with all of the fast-paced fight scenes and limited character development, Yates and Kloves manage to insert just enough touching moments to make most Potter fans happy as many of the supporting characters get fitting send-offs.  Another part of the franchise’s amazing, noteworthy accomplishme

nt has been its employment of many talented British actors and to stick with them.  For example, apart from Richard Harris’s death, no other actor or actress had to be replaced since the series began ten years ago.  This has helped bring much needed continuity and investment for the audience as we have seen the children literally grow up on-screen while witnessing some great veteran actors displaying their acting prowess.  So while some of the scenes could have been a little longer with more character development or at least brief moments to highlight various characters fans have supported, the movie should for the most part please viewers with how it handles its beloved characters.

“Hogwarts is always here to welcome you…” – Indeed, the legendary school of witchcraft and wizardry has been like a second home to many earnest readers and moviegoers, much thanks to well-developed characters and sincere performances by those who portray its faculty and staff members who each get fun or heartfelt moments in the movie.  Two-time Oscar winner Maggie Smith reprises her role as the kindhearted but powerful Professor McGonagall and finally gets to use some magic, showing off some of her character’s skills.  Every scene she is in is a pure delight, from a criminally short spar with Snape to her protective enchantments; even her simple one-liners have more emotion than most blockbusters (i.e. Transformers) dream of evoking, such as “I’ve always wanted to use that spell” to a passing “It’s good to see you again.”  Robbie Coltrane literally comes out of nowhere appearing late in the movie and unfortunately has little to do, which is strange given the importance of his character Rubeus Hagrid in most of the movies.  Furthermore, his character, like many others, do not emote a ton of feelings in one of the more depressing scenes late in the film; perhaps the shock of the event has people subdued.  David Bradley returns to play the foolish Hogwarts groundskeeper Argus Filch and Warwick Davis has double duty as Griphook and Professor Filius Flitwick, although the latter’s scenes may have been shortened or simply cut; readers of the novels have complained Flitwick should have been seen fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts, as should have some other characters like McGonagall.  Oscar winners Jim Broadbent and Emma Thompson as well as Miriam Margoyles, and Gemma Jones round out the rest of the returning Hogwarts faculty members playing Potions Master Horace Slughorn, Divination Professor Sybil Trelawney, Herbology Professor Pomona Sprout, and Nurse Madam Pomfrey, respectively; each have short but sweet moments scattered throughout the movie.

Say what you will about the choice of Michael Gambon as Harris’s replacement as Albus Dumbledore, but he has come to inhabit the character pretty well.  Here he plays the character with the same strong resolve he had before but adds a new darker dimension to his complex character as part of his back-story is revealed.  However, many of those who have read the books will be frustrated by how Dumbledore’s image is somewhat slighted in the movie version.  In particular, the King’s Cross station (or as Harry seems to say “King’s Crustacean”) scene is abbreviated as it leaves out some of his redemptive lines.  No matter, Gambon inhabits most of Dumbledore’s characteristics and viewers will enjoy seeing him again in some new, albeit mostly flashback, scenes.

Many of the actors who have grown up playing the secondary students at Hogwarts also make final appearances.  Matthew Lewis finally proves he is a wizard to be reckoned with when he returns as Neville Longbottom, who has come a long way from getting petrified after attempting to stop Harry, Ron and Hermione from searching for the Philosopher/Sorcerer’s Stone.  Bonnie Wright has a surprisingly limited amount of screen time or focus considering her character Ginny Weasley’s relationship with Harry; still, she does a fair job at inhabiting the character, even if a bit awkwardly at times.  Evanna Lynch not only remains true to her Luna Lovegood’s quirky, oddly lovable self but also gets a small moment to stand up to the great Harry Potter too, which will surely have crowds smiling.  Tom Felton of course comes back for his last turn as the torn Draco Malfoy, along with his Slytherin buddies Goyle and Blaise.  James and Oliver Phelps have their last scenes as Fred and George Weasley, one of which some viewers will wish had more screen time.  Other returning minor characters include Seamus Finnegan, Cho Chang, Lavender Brown (who has an altered fate from the books), Katie Bell, Romilda Vane, Padma Patil, Cormac McLaggen, Dean Thomas, Nigel, Percy Weasley, Pansy Parkinson and Oliver Wood (in an extremely short few seconds shouting “Come on!” while flying).  Again, to have every single one of these young actors return since their first appearance is remarkable.

The rest of the returning or new adult characters leave mixed impressions.  As mentioned before, Julie Walters has a brief yet rousing turn as Molly Weasley and perhaps gives one of the best lines from the entire series; as an aside- this scene, though true to the book overall, could have been slightly better if Neville was able to achieve some vengeance.  Mark Williams, the actor who plays Arthur Weasley, though, has almost nothing to do in this movie, regrettably.  Similarly, David Thewlis and Natalia Tena’s better days remain in previous installments as their characters Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, as well as Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour, are absent from the screen most of the time.  The great Gary Oldman and the two who played Harry’s famous parents James and Lily Potter have a few new scenes, the three of which have a touching scene together.  John Hurt and George Harris have brief but typically good turns as Ollivander and Kingsley Shacklebolt.  Helena Bonham Carter again plays the evil Bellatrix Lestrange to a T.  She also gets to have a little bit of fun early on in the film when she impersonates someone else’s character trying to impersonate Bellatrix.  However, she nearly disappears later on with little-to-no dialogue, which is a shame since she adds a definite element of creepiness.  Jason Isaacs and Helen McCrory have small but significant scenes as Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy.  Timothy Spall, though, is entirely missing from the movie, which will anger readers and confuse moviegoers who may wonder about the fate of Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail; then again one must remember that this is really only one-half of a movie and he does appear in the first part – still the filmmakers made a mistake excluding even any reference of him here.  Lastly, the filmmakers brought back Minister Pius Thicknesse, snatcher Scabior, and werewolf Fenrir Greyback briefly.  John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick) and Kenneth Branaugh (Professor Gilroy Lockhart) are two others who would have been nice to bring back in some form of cameo or Easter-egg appearance.

Of the new characters, Kelly McDonald gives a fine performance as the ghost of Helena “The Grey Lady” Ravenclaw.  Those young actors who depicted the adult characters in their youth as well as the children of the main characters are decent but nothing special.  Ciarán Hinds plays a mysterious yet powerful Aberforth Dumbledore.  The Dumbledore family history is only alluded to as Albus’s back-story, notably that with his sister Ariana, remains neglected in the film adaptations, much to the chagrin of purists.  Also, the dreadful Carrow Twins, the Death Eaters who practically run Snape’s Hogwarts, never get a chance to show why they are so feared – perhaps a few deleted scenes will demonstrate their ferocity. Because of Yates and Kloves’ decision to make this essentially an action movie, a lot of the characters’ developments suffered, unlike the previous part, which had the opposite problem.

Tom Marvolo Riddle – Huggable?

Ralph Fiennes repeats his malicious performance as Lord Voldemort to mostly great effect.  He is able to show a little more range of emotion in this film as he begins to deteriorate with the destruction of each Horcrux, which turns his character into an even more dangerous wizard.  In addition, the voice-over scenes where Voldemort “speaks” to those inside Hogwarts are sinister.  On the other hand, much has been made about his character’s peculiar hug late in the film.  While it does seem odd for the character, it is a clever moment of character exposition.  In other words, the hug is intended to be awkward because it illustrates how Voldemort is incapable of showing true affection or love.  Moreover, it makes the Dark Lord even more disturbing because most viewers and the character in which he is hugging are surprised and uneasy about the hug – Why is he doing this? Will he kill me/that person next? Unfortunately, most theater audiences will have more than a few hecklers that will ruin some scenes with some chuckles, including this perhaps too-clever piece of storytelling and weak execution.  Besides, his character is truly happy and feels triumphant, so give him a break from being pure evil for a second.

While the franchise is finished (hopefully), the debate may rage on whether he was the best casting choice for the role.  In all, though, Fiennes has done a respectable job bringing the wicked character to life.  He has displayed plenty of menace, but blame the shortcomings of his performances on the writing – his character could have used some more, perhaps darker scenes that show exactly why he is the most feared and lethal wizard of all time; some violent or “bloody” scenes do occur in this film (i.e. Naigini’s feast, walking barefoot on a blood-soaked floor), but not quite enough has been dedicated to demonstrating his malevolence.  However, one must remember this is a children’s fantasy and clearly the film franchise began with that mood.  So there is almost no way the filmmakers would be willing to sacrifice some viewership by making an R-rated film, which is kind of a pity for audiences looking for gritty realism which often breeds unforgettable villainous performances (i.e. Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight).  Nevertheless, when it comes down to it Fiennes is an ideal choice and did the best he could with the adapted Voldemort.

The Boy Who Lived and His Best Friends 

Likewise, Daniel Radcliffe totally inhabits the titular character.  Fortunately, Warner Brothers cast the perfect young actor to fill the lead role; he truly is “the chosen one” to play Harry Potter.  He has matured both physically and emotionally before our eyes, and with Part 2 he gives his best performance of the series.  It probably will not blow you away or be up for any serious kinds of acting awards, but it is another solid turn and Radcliffe displays a little more range than before given his character’s discoveries and plights throughout the last book.  Now, with the franchise ending, Radcliffe must find a way to shed his persona if he hopes to continue his career as an actor, something that Elijah Wood has had some difficulty doing since he has yet to breakout with other big roles and some viewers cannot take him seriously anymore given his run as Frodo Baggins.  Radcliffe can be seen next as the lead in The Woman in Black (2012) horror adaptation.

Rupert Grint and Emma Watson take somewhat of a backseat in the final installment, but still show why they were chosen as Ron and Hermione in the first place.  Their characters seem to be secondary much of the time since the story must focus on Harry, but it is still a joy to see the two young actors develop and play their fan-favorite roles.  The long-awaited kiss, however, leaves something to be desired; the camera positioning and/or way in which they kiss obscures the view for the audience, which might be hoping for a juicier portrayal.  Nonetheless, it is a crowd-pleasing moment for the most part, especially since the scene in which it happens is one of those rare positive additions made to the source material by the film adaptation since it is only referred to in the book.  Grint and Watson will also have to find ways to discard their Potter guise as they continue their acting careers, but given their improving talents they should be all right in time.

The Prince’s Tale – The Best Eight Minutes of the Series

Of all the cast members in the entire series and of all the magical scenes it has given us, Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Professor Severus Snape in Part 2, specifically the eight minutes devoted to his back-story, is incredible.  Sequel after sequel he has kept viewers on the edge of their seats with his restrained performances that walk the fine line between good and evil; audiences who have not read the books beforehand continually found themselves questioning Snape’s true allegiances and whether or not Harry and company should really trust him – It is a testament to Rickman’s skills as an actor to achieve this effect.  Finally, though, Rickman breaks out of the mold and gives viewers everything they hoped they would see out of Snape’s final appearance and plenty more.

Snape is only in a handful of scenes but his character overshadows even Harry, and Rickman’s performance outshines everything else anyone has done in the film franchise.  The pensive scene is absolutely heart wrenching; even Lord Voldemort himself may have felt some sorrow. What truly makes it so tender and moving is what the filmmakers have added to the Princes Tale by showing what is only alluded to in the books (hint: it is the most emotional image of the entire series).  Those eight minutes change everything viewers know from the past movies, or at least gives them the true perspective in which to understand past actions.  In effect, many viewers will want to re-watch the previous installments and really examine/analyze the plot and performances.  Reporters have noted that J.K. Rowling divulged the overall final storyline to Rickman well before the last book’s release so that he could better depict Snape’s extremely complex antihero character; so if/when you return to the other movies, specifically Half Blood Prince, you will notice a multitude of things you might not have realized before.  In other words, Part 2’s scene of memories will make you better appreciate the past films and Rickman’s amazing performance as Snape over the last decade. Rowling’s creativity and foresight to bring it all together like that is genius; we all knew the character was crucial in each book and it turns out that he is perhaps the most significant one of the series save for Harry and Voldemort.

As for his final turn as Snape, it is simply perfect and deserves some awards recognition (at least nominations).  When an actor’s character has only a limited number of minutes or is a supporting character yet is the highlight of a film, such as Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs (astonishingly less than 20 minutes of screen-time) or Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, you know his performance is remarkable; Rickman accomplishes just that in Part 2.  Indeed, many viewers will become die-hard Snape fans after seeing the film and will remain so, always.

The Prince’s Tale goes to show why the Harry Potter books have become so successful and universally popular.  Part 2 and basically all of the books/films are about courage, determination, loyalty and most of all love; not a single human being will be unable to relate to such principles found in the film and in that particular scene.  As the great Stephen King once said, “Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend” (Sorry Twilight fans).  Fan-wars and criticisms of the vampire fantasy tales aside, one cannot deny the truth about the Harry Potter side of the statement – Indeed, Rowling’s complex characters and layered storylines are filled with universal values that appeal to anyone, and it is in the Prince’s Tale that it all comes together.  Thank God the filmmakers executed that part right.

One minor criticism of the pensive scene, though, is that the filmmakers needed to keep an essential interaction between the Prince and his love– the one that explains their falling out (calling of a “mud-blood”).  Because that is neglected, some uninitiated viewers may get the wrong impression about various characters’ histories or wonder why the two never got together.  Luckily, the scene is so brilliant and beautiful that it is easy to forgive this mistake.

Music for the Soul

What also makes the Prince’s Tale scene and the whole movie so memorable and touching is the music.  Alexandre Desplat returned for his second Potter movie, the other being Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows, and gives audiences one of the best scores in the series, behind John Williams’ early decisive soundtracks and Nicholas Hooper’s amazing Half-Blood Prince score, both of which sneak into Desplat’s compositions.  The hauntingly beautiful Lily’s Theme sets the tone and most of the musical pieces, such as Statues and The Resurrection Stone; it is one of the finest pieces of the entire franchise actually.  Severus and Lily, which plays during the memory scene, is great in the film.  A New Beginning is the perfect song to end the movie and series as it is clearly inspired by Williams’ Leaving Hogwarts song at the end of the first film.  Also, Williams’ most notable piece Hedwig’s Theme, which has become a classic, is played a few times in the movie.  However, probably the unconditional best piece of music in Part 2 goes to Hooper’s unforgettable Dumbledore’s Farewell piece which is played at the most heartbreaking moment in The Prince’s Tale sequence; judging by the amount of sniffles and sobs heard in the theater, the filmmakers truly captivated the audience in this sublime moment.  Kudos to Mr. Desplat for bringing back that song to break our hearts.

Out With a Whimper? 

Given the amount of anticipation for this movie, it would be easy for the filmmakers to disappoint fans who hope the series ends on a high note.  Lucky for them, Part 2 ends gracefully but probably too quickly.  Sure, the screenwriting adage of “getting out quickly” is important, but so is maintaining the integrity of the story and satisfying the viewer’s expectations and emotions carried throughout a film.  In other words, since so many people have waited so long to see the ending, the filmmakers owed it to the audience and even themselves to take their time and give each character its moment in the sun after the climax, even if that means the film drags on an extra fifteen minutes a la Return of the King.  Instead, the conclusion is subdued rather than triumphant.  Yes, the epilogue is touching, albeit horribly depicted with rather poor aging make-up, but one would have expected a total tear-jerker instead of a whimper given how many fans have grown up with the series.  In short, the ending could have been slightly better, but the filmmakers chose to restrain their manipulation over the audience and give the audience more than a fair send-off, but not a wholly satisfying one given impossible expectations – the only way they could have done that is to surpass one’s imagination, which would have been truly magical.

The Dividing Factor

Since many fans will inevitably be disappointed in the finished product the debate remains whether or not the studio should have split the final book into two separate films.  This allowed the filmmakers to adapt more parts of the book, even if that meant many viewers found the first part too atmospheric and slow.  Alternately, the bifurcation made each film inherently flawed in that the first lacked a climax and payoff whereas the second suffered from limited character development and a rushed pace to end.  Seen together, though, the adaptation of The Deathly Hallows is very good, but still not great.

Therefore, one wonders how many deleted scenes exist and whether the filmmakers will release an extended edition of either or both parts.  While this could help turn the movie into a great one, one thing is for sure: the filmmakers must not try to make another sequel or God forbid a prequel/reboot.   Rowling has stated that she has some new ideas in mind but that it is highly unlikely she will write another book.  Hopefully she sticks to her word and that Hollywood does not convince her otherwise as the series seems just right; the last time Hollywood returned to a massively successful film franchise was with the unnecessary Star Wars prequels – enough said; just because some viewers hoped for more out of the finale or wish the franchise could live on does not mean Rowling or Hollywood should do so.

He’ll Never Be Gone. Not as Long as Those Who Remain are Loyal to Him

But really, the Harry Potter franchise will never die.  It has charmed several audiences for a decade with humor, wit, thrills, chills, and poignant themes and messages of love, sacrifice, honor, loyalty, and the list goes on.  These things are what will make this series an enduring classic.  It might not be on the level of the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars trilogies, which simply cannot be compared to, but the Harry Potter saga is a grand, unparalleled cinematic achievement.  Besides, given its record-shattering success now, there is no reason to believe it will fade into oblivion; sure the hype will diminish but the film franchise, and novels, will enchant generations of audiences and readers for decades to come.

As for The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, it is very good, at times great, but not perfect.  As a whole, it is a decent adaptation and mostly fulfilling conclusion; though such adjectives as “decent” and “mostly satisfying” are not ones fans hoped to describe the film by, but lightning did not strike for the filmmakers – it was unable to live up to expectations, which really would have meant to surpass them on every level.  Check out this summer’s biggest blockbuster and one of the year’s finest films thus far in theaters, at any price (though the 3D has very mixed reviews so beware).  In fact, it is worth multiple viewings on the big-screen, if at least to witness the wonderful The Prince’s Tale scene again.  In a word, Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is fantastic.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – 9/10

 

 

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