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).

Film Review: The King’s Speech

Along with Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours and David O. Russell’s The Fighter, Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech is one of the most uplifting films of the year. The story’s resolution may be predictable, but this character driven, period piece drama is delightful. Besides, the true story of King George VI is staggering (pun intended). Colin Firth gives a magnificent performance as the king; he will almost certainly win the Best Actor Oscar. The King’s Speech is immensely satisfying, funny, and is one of the all-around best-acted films of the year; it may even take home Best Picture.

The following review contains several semi-spoilers; they are not all that spoilerific since anyone going to see the movie could guess how it may turn out (considering the title).