Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Reviews

No tengo un recuerdo claro de cuando fue mi primer acercamiento a este mundo creado por J.K Rowling, creo que fue a los 4-5 años gracias a un VHS de la primera entrega que le regalaron a mi hermano mayor que también era fan, pero lo cierto es que desde ese momento estas pelis y libros se volvieron una parte importante de mis recuerdos de niñez. Veía las peliculas cada semana, devoraba los libros e incluso llegue a jugar casi que todos los videojuegos que salieron para la PS2 y Game Boy. Había algo en la historia del niño huérfano y su conexión espiritual con el casi señor de la muerte que me fascinaba, sobre todo en ese mundo mágico y colorido que sin embargo, tenia un trasfondo y personajes mucho más oscuros y trágicos de lo que parecía a simple vista. Ahora de adulto y con bastantes peros que le he encontrado a la saga con esta revisita, puedo decir que ha pesar de todo sido una experiencia mágica que me ha devuelto el amor que le tenia a estas pelis y libros de niño. La figura cada vez más polémica y odiada de la autora, precuelas y secuelas de dudosa calidad y desgaste de la franquicia en general no han reducido ni un poquito ese rincon especial que siempre le guardo a la saga en mi interior.

Brilliant conclusion with the most amazing scene in all of Harry Potter: Snape's memory. There were some amazing moments in this film.

It's been more than two years since I saw 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' and I decided to finally rewatch it

An awesome conclusion to the 'Harry Potter' franchise, it has rave effects, great acting and a good story, one of the best conclusion movies ever

Well, David Yates has once again disappointed me. Director of the previous 3 Harry Potter movies (Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and the Deathly Hallows Part 1) as well as this final chapter, Yates has left me unsatisfied every time. It's not that his work on the Potter films have been especially bad (with the exception being Deathly Hallows Part 1), but they've felt weak when compared to the first four films. So while I like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, it's so disappointing when one considers that this was a finale that the franchise has been building up to for over 10 years. I can only imagine how disappointed I would've been had I not blown through the series in a matter of weeks.

In this final chapter, Harry and his friends must destroy the final Horocruxes, though things get tricky when Voldemort and his forces begin to attack Hogwarts.

I was never truly enchanted during this film. Entertained? Yes- at least most of the time. But Deathly Hallows Part 2 never does reach the dramatic heights it's trying to achieve. It never feels like anything important or fantastic. The whole film just feels sort of slight. This is not a bad film, but as the conclusion to one of the most influential franchises of all time, I have to say, I was expecting more.

Of course, one could now say that my enjoyment of the film was perhaps affected by my expectations. And yet, I believe the film would still be at fault. Such a film as this should be made to blow away even the highest expectations, and never did this film come close to doing so.

The characters are still lovable, but we only see a little bit of most of them. Neville gets a decent role in this film, though his entrance near the beginning of the film would've been much more meaningful and delightful had his one-line role in the previous film been replaced with a different wizard.

The characters have typically been the best part of the franchise- and I may get a lot of hate for this- but the story itself isn't all that interesting to me. It's intriguing, to be sure, but so much of the screen time in this film- and definitely the previous one- is devoted to exposition and story, that we don't really get to spend enough time with the characters we love (other than the three main characters anyway, but they don't have enough depth to be as effective on their own).

The visual effects are excellent, and probably the best of the series. Indeed, the visuals are a treat, and at last we have a version of the invisibility cloak that doesn't look like a cheap green-screen effect!

Acting is solid on all sides of the spectrum. I don't have anything to say here that I haven't already said in previous reviews of the Potter films.

The score, by Alexandre Desplat, is once again disappointing, but it's a massive improvement on the last two scores of the film. I'm willing to believe that the best parts of this score are better represented on the album, but judging purely by what I heard in the film, there wasn't much that stuck in my mind. Still, the most pronounced use of the now classic "Hedwig Theme" since the Goblet of Fire is in this film, and that's worth commending.

For 2 hours, I was mostly entertained. And while that's an impressive feat in itself, I couldn't help but shake the feeling that this should've been better. There's nothing here that's truly awful, or even bad I suppose, but there's little here that leaves an impression like the first four Potter films did. As a franchise conclusion, this does what it needs to do. But it should've done more.

At last, we have here the final installment of the Harry Potter franchise. To be honest, I have never been a fan of those movies. Sure, I have to admit that they were  entertaining but, except for two which I really enjoyed ('Azkaban' and 'The Goblet of Fire'), I didn't care much for the rest. Still, this movie was one of the best but I still think it is rather overrated, especially when you see on IMDb that it is considered one of the best movies ever made. Indeed, even though it was quite spectacular, the story was still rather weak. For example, every time Harry seems to be stuck, he gets one of those visions which tells him exactly what to look for and where to look for which was terribly convenient. Furthermore, the love story with Ron's sister was quite pathetic, even his little fling with that Asian chick  was actually more interesting. Basically, Potter falls in love with the only girl who was around during the whole thing... Another thing that bothered me was Snape's double agenda. Seriously, from the very first movie, it was completely obvious that he was not one of the bad guys. It was also pretty clear that Harry was supposed to die and it was definitely one of the most interesting and bold aspects of this feature but even this was ruined and badly handled in my opinion. Indeed, they made a whole fuss about it but eventually they decided he should survive anyway because, you know, he is basically the title character. I know, I make it sound as if it was a bad movie but it wasn't. It was well made, pretty spectacular and quite entertaining but I just don't see what was so great about the damned thing. To conclude, even though I think it is rather overrated, it remains a well made blockbuster and it is worth a look, especially if you enjoyed the previous installments.

As much as I wanted this day to never come, I am happy to have watched this epic journey come to a close. In most respects I was very happy with this film. Of course any true reader can never be 100% happy, because it will never be exactly what you pictured. My number one issue is that you don't see Harry fix his wand with the Elder wand before he destroys it. I thought that was a very important show of using power sparingly. Otherwise I loved this film. It's amazing how someone you loathe so much can become a pivotal character in your heart. I don't regret my hatred for Snape only that it took so long for me to see the possibilities. There is nothing like the final battle. There is so much emotion there. We know someone has to die, for all this fighting to be real. I just hate that it's the innocent or one of Harry's few father figures.
There is no amount of time i can spend on all the beautiful images and all the tie together that they did. I will always be amazed by this story and the show of bravery and love.

Childhood ends, this time forever, with tears and howls, swirls of smoke, the shock of mortality and bittersweet smiles in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” the grave, deeply satisfying final movie in the series. A pop cultural happening extraordinaire, the Potter movies took uncertain flight in 2001 with Harry, then an orphan of 11, home alone with his grotesquely unloving relatives. Times were grim, at least off screen — the first opened in November of that year — but Chris Columbus’s directorial touch was insistently light as Harry was initiated into a world alive with odd doings, strange creatures and the evil that would almost consume it.
A decade later Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), have become powerful adult wizards, while the actors are now stars. Look closely and you can see the beard inching along Harry’s, or rather Mr. Radcliffe’s pale chin. Meanwhile Ms. Watson, smoldering in bruising dark lipstick on the cover of the July Vogue, has her own hair and makeup artist, and the director, David Yates, even trains the camera on her generous peekaboo cleavage. Just as startling is the transformation of Mr. Grint who, in one early, anxious scene wears a goatee and a panicked look that together suggest a junior Paul Giamatti. My, how the children have grown — and the movies too.

It’s taken two of them to translate J. K. Rowling’s last, exhausting tome. A long windup to the new one’s big-bang finale, “Part 1” was memorable for the death of the house elf Dobby and less so for the draggy scenes of Harry, Hermione and Ron hiding and quarreling in the wild. There’s no time for adolescent angst in war. Now, when a student (he who shall not be named so as not to ruin the fun) declares his affection for another — the air electric with fire, frenzy and young love (if never lust) — it’s because, as he says, both may soon be dead. Fans of the books know how it turns out, and moviegoers can guess. Meanwhile this declaration, especially given the casualties to come, may fill you with feeling and also make you cry.

I did, partly because it’s been unexpectedly moving growing older with these characters and actors perhaps simply because it’s invariably poignant watching children become adults. However uneven they were at the start, the three young leads were irresistible simply because they were so young, unformed and vulnerable (like their characters). Ms. Watson was the most assured, while Mr. Grint was the natural (and still is). Mr. Radcliffe, button cute, capable, opaque, was tougher to warm up to. But it’s pointless to think of anyone else. He became Harry, Harry is him, and Mr. Radcliffe’s depthless quality now seems right for a character who, in the books and movies, was never as interesting as the magical world he revealed to us.

Mr. Radcliffe has evolved enough as a performer that he makes a steady hub for the busily spinning parts, even as Ms. Watson and Mr. Grint, whose characters are drifting toward their fate, have less to do. All three have nice moments in this movie, but it’s the older adults who take center stage. Much has rightly been made over the years about how the franchise became a platform for some of the best British actors working, a truism that brought it force and gravity as one after another great — Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Jason Isaacs — stepped up, often wonderfully. Here it’s Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman who give the master class in acting.

As Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard who could not be named for ages but has been for a while, Mr. Fiennes has been part of the mix since the fourth film (“The Goblet of Fire”). Over the course of the series, as Voldemort gathered in power and corporeality, his wrenched, Medusa-like face eventually growing a body (though oddly losing its nose), the actor started to fill out the character with sharp, indelible gestures, a flick of the wrist, a twist of the mouth. In “Part 2” his whispering hiss of a voice slithers into ears like a snake, seducing and terrorizing. But watch Mr. Fiennes’s hands, look as they flutter, their white, spidery fingers idling with exquisite delicacy as the long nails, sharpened into perfect arrows, threaten the worst.

This is such great screen villainy it makes you regret there wasn’t more of Voldemort all along and more too of his incarnations as another gifted boy wizard, Tom Riddle. The books, fat with detail and detours into the past, gave Ms. Rowling loads of room to play. With only two or so hours of story time, the movies have been forced to sacrifice swaths of her material, and while the scripts have been largely models of adaptation — most, this one included, are by Steve Kloves — the emphasis on action (and interminable games of quidditch) was also a concession to the action-imperative of the modern blockbuster. (A deadly dull game that served as a rehearsal for war, quidditch is one Hogwarts tradition I was happy to see burn.)
Mr. Yates, who brought the series into its mature stage with the fifth feature, “The Order of the Phoenix,” gets it mostly right in “Part 2.” The movie, the eighth, is tightly focused and as somber and unsettling as it should be, considering its apocalyptic events. It’s also often beautiful, washed in gray and so drained of other color that at first it looks as if it’s in black and white. It’s no wonder: Mr. Yates has kicked into Manichaean mode — and it’s the fight of good against evil, wizards against Voldemort and his hordes — so the director can be forgiven for almost overplaying the fascist overtones (the students rhythmically marching in the opener are nearly goose-stepping) if not for the juvenile St. Crispin’s Day speech at the end.
Although a few scenes feel calculated to work as synergistic complements to the Harry Potter Empire beyond — like the overlong swooping rail ride that turns a spooky cavern into a theme park — these pass quickly. One of the great and surprising satisfactions of the series is how, through the very fine and less so movies, it maintained its storytelling and filmmaking integrity, despite the corporate imperative. The love of the fans helped keep the series on track, as did the filmmakers (technicians included) and performers. The movies have affirmed that the relationship between mass art and its consumers is at times incredibly rich, evident in the mind-blowing fan culture of Potter world. Also: blockbusters can be awfully good.

This bigness is no small thing. There are times, particularly during the enervating summer season, when it can seem as if Hollywood has forgotten how to put on a really big — and great — show. (Perhaps the studios should just hand over more blockbusters to the British: Christopher Nolan, after all, is London born.) It isn’t often in the summer that you enjoy the intense pleasure of a certain kind of old-fashioned cinema experience, the sort that sweeps you up in sheer spectacle with bigger-than-life images and yet holds you close with intimately observed characters and the details that keep your eyes and mind busy. Too often it can be hard to see the human touch amid the industrial machinery, which hasn’t been true here.

One reason the movies work is that their scale never overwhelmed the extraordinary characters, especially the wizards whose very ordinary habits, prejudices, quirks and fears made this fantastical world recognizable. Over time the special effects have grown more special, but at their finest these are so seamlessly integrated that they no longer pop off the screen (even in 3-D) and instead serve the story’s emotional realism. When you see the albino dragon in “Part 2,” you may marvel at the technical virtuosity of its creation and how the muscles on its flanks clench with palpable effort as it looks down at a cityscape much as King Kong once did. Yet what lingers is how quickly this computer-made creature becomes a character.

That dragon and Mr. Fiennes make this final Harry Potter movie soar, as do Mr. Gambon’s brief turn and Ms. Smith’s furious and then visibly delighted marshaling of an army of stone soldiers. Finally too there is Mr. Rickman, who as Snape, Harry’s longtime nemesis, lifts the movie to its expressive high point. First seen standing in a window shaped like a coffin, Snape enters gravely, a picture of death. Pale and unsmiling, his black hair framing his white face like mourning crepe, he has always suggested Laurence Olivier’s Richard III, an ominous thought with children in the vicinity. That Snape has proven worthy of that comparison is partly a tribute to Ms. Rowling, but that he has become such a brilliant screen character is due to Mr. Rickman, who helped elevate a child’s tale of good and evil into a story of human struggle.

NYT

Seriously, this movie received a 96% approval at RottenTomatos? Sir Roger Ebert gave it 3-1/2 stars out of 4? I don't wanna sound like a stinker or anything but Part 2 wasn't satisfying or interesting at all. There were many flaws and they unnecessarily altered or removed many dialogues from the book, thus giving us another reason not to watch movies based on books, especially popular ones. Don't get me wrong but I really enjoyed all Harry Potter installments and I believe that it really started the whole fantasy bug which Hollywood is currently suffering from but Deathly Hallows pt. 2, just like SAW 3D, wasn't at all satisfying or finishing off the franchise in a memorable way. Let's break this review in two parts:

Downfalls: For a very brief period of time, Daniel Radcliffe finally connected himself to this titular character and, in turn, connected with the audience, or at least to me (Goblet of Fire, Prisoner of Azkaban, second half of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows pt. 1) but something seriously went wrong here. He wasn't up to his usual self and I wouldn't say it was sub-par, it was nearly there. Other than that, they cut out many scenes from the book, especially the whole Pensieve segment, which was a disappointment as I was really looking forward to it. Also, the death scenes of Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort. The former explodes and the latter departs in a puff of 'butterflies': WTF?? Thank god the cry of Molly Weasley "not my daughter you bitch" was amazing! Other than all this, they added funny dialogues and moments in otherwise inappropriate times. But on the other hand

Redeeming features: Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Ron & Hermione, respectively, were great as usual. From Goblet of Fire onwards, their peformances greatly increased and they really showed their full potential in this film. No complains on their side. As usual, the effects were gorgeous and I also liked the 19 years later epilogue. I don't why but it was exactly the way I had imagined it to be and it gave. Good performances by supporting cast and quite good cinematography too. It shows what you want to see but at the same time, usues a-lot of close-ups and slow zoom-ins.

Continuing with my habit of recognizing one actor/actress from a Harry Potter installment, I would like to label out Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom from this one. If he was funny in Chamber of Secrets and surprisingly good in Goblet of Fire, then he was the best in Deathly Hallows pt. 2 and he really made full use of his screen-time, delivering a good mix of comedy and heroism which reminded me of a nice, less-swearing version of John McClane or to be more specific, Rocky Balboa without the gloves and cheesy dialogues. His speech near the end of the film is one of the best movie-speeches I've seen. A very impressive performance. All in all, in conclusion, this film was quite bearable and those who still haven't read the books will find it interesting but those you have read it at least 5 times, like me, will kinda find it boring and will notice that it strays too far from the original. Watch if you will but if you're not in the mood for disappointment, then pass off this one and watch it only when you're ready!

5.5/10

After 10 years marked by the success of Harry Potter saga, the least that those who followed the journey of the young wizard during that time could ask for was an end to match the quality and charm that the series was gaining more and more until then. And the last film that not only meets the demand in all areas, it also goes further. David Yates, being director for the fourth time in the saga, delivers to the public, fan or not, an admirable quality of outcome after having led the work with care in the previous films he directed. Proves to be a director of intelligent vision, placing each element in its quantity and the right times. In Part 1, there is a further development in the drama of the characters and their internal conflicts, and the plot to prepare the key to the end, but without having even a little in the moments of action. Now in Part 2, the fastest pace exciting and gives a greater focus to physical conflicts that the previous film, dramatic but also the emphasis needed to excite the viewer. In the plot, Voldemort got the Saille wand in order to become invincible. However, it gets weaker every piece of his soul that is destroyed by the protagonists. With his army of Death Eaters, he initiates an attack on Hogwarts, to prevent them and are able to destroy the last Horcrux. Harry, knowing his anger, struggles to find and destroy them in time, and finally have the final showdown with his nemesis. With the battle taking place in school, Yates once again follows the right, not making a final showdown full of explosions in an action whose purpose is just the visual impact, but an epic battle that although, as is the thrill of the moment truly is: a sad and gloomy. The soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat, who repeats the good work of the previous film, highlights this issue. In the technical issues, the film is not anything to duty. On the contrary. The treatment of visual effects, the aforementioned soundtrack, photography of Eduardo Serra, who also repeats his job well, the beautiful art direction and makeup too, providing a great result to the elves, and also in the epilogue, making a characterization of compelling characters. All this in a high standard of quality. The performances don't deserve any least attention. The saga has always been privileged to have an amazing cast, and now it's all about the movie where they are in the spotlight. Daniel Radcliffe has his best time and leads admirably. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are also more than worthy of recognition. Matthew Lewis has a good time favored by a more mature Neville. Alan Rickman, but doesn't appear too long, the scene offers a spectacle of the memories of his character. Ralph Fiennes Voldemort embodies a violent rage and consumed by fear. Helena Bonham Carter is also present as Bellatrix Lestrange insane, having featured in the comic scene of the invasion of Gringotts Bank. Also noteworthy is the actress Maggie Smith, with her surprising role of Professor Minerva McGonnagall, leading the defense of Hogwarts. It is gratifying to see the set of all such work carried out with competence resulting in something so admirable, that perhaps only small by not giving proper emotion in some of the killings, where beloved characters go, and also to explain some details left out that possibly confused a bit by those who didn't read the books. That won't be very harmful, but care about those details could be higher. However, the successes speak much louder, but contribute to the deserved outcome of this phenomenon that marked the many and surely will continue checking, because even with the sad farewell, the saga is not dead, nor die in the hearts and memories of thousands.

     Out of all the great, beloved series in movies, like “Star Wars,” and “Lord of the Rings,” the saga of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling’s unlikely hero, who is now probably the world’s most famous wizard, is neither the critical favourite, nor the awards winner. But, it has something that’s probably just as grand—the best standing ovation at its encore.

     That after everything, the long struggle to save Hogwarts and the world against Voldemort, things will go back to normal. That life will go on.  Except, it’s a life without Harry. A thought that is sadder than winter coming too soon, or Christmas getting cancelled. Harry had been so much a part of culture, and to a young child growing up, that he will be terribly missed.

     And so, we come to “Harry and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2,” the final insertion to the franchise. In the end, it was all about Harry. Hogwarts may burn; its towers may fall as frightened little wizards seem to be just running in circles; lovable characters may die as others fade in the background with a line or two; Dumbledore may be dead, but another guy with a long beard is still alive; Voldemort may get the ultimate wizard toy and all the power that goes with it, plus a place in the villain’s hall of shame; Snape may have made the ultimate sacrifice and the all-important, head-spinning revelation; Ron may get the girl; and the girl who played Hermione may get another movie career doing chick flicks, but it was all about Harry.

     In the future, a new generation of fans will discover Harry Potter, but for now, there’s enough time to enjoy, revisit and celebrate. There will never be another series like it, and it will never be forgotten. Harry Potter has put a spell on us.