Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Reviews

After 10 long years of filming, and 10 long years of charming all of the men, women and children all around the world, the time has come for the final film in this legendary franchise! Words cannot describe the expectations from every single Potter fan for the final instalment, and after how Deathly Hallows: Part I turned out, expectations were exceedingly high. As expected, Deathly Hallows: Part II had all of the great action scenes with all the suspense and exciting segments within. However, there were a few things that were quite surprising in this film. The novel itself is quite emotional but Deathly Hallows: Part II really is a very emotional film to watch and it could lead you to bursting into tears. It isn't just emotional because it is the last film in the series, but it is a very gripping conclusion that truly shows the difference between good and evil. It is also a fine demonstration of a film about love, friendship and bravery so pretty much everything that the film details is pure inspiration.


Deathly Hallows was my favourite novel out of all of them in the series, and this one as well as Part I, they fit more in the book than any other film in the series does. Admittedly, there were some noticeable flaws in this one that weren't included in the books. There were some quotes that were said in the book that were featured in the film (there is one that you really will notice around the end). You will have to see the film to find that out first. However, there were some moments within that weren't in the book but were included in the film, and quite frankly, some of them were needed. After seeing and loved both parts of the final novel, the split between the book to make two films was needed because so much happens in the book and in both films. SO, it just would've been too much to take in for one film. Besides, two parts made it a more exciting build-up to the finale.


Deathly Hallows: Part II begins straight after Part I and now that Lord Voldemort has possession of the Elder Wand which he stole from Albus Dumbledore's tomb, the odds are against Harry, Ron and hermione to defeat the Dark Lord. They still have hope so they are continuing their mission in hunting the rest of the Horcruxes to destroy in order to kill Voldemort and bring peace to the Wizarding World once again. Some of the members of the Order have given up hope, and so have some of the students at Hogwarts. However, when Harry returns to Hogwarts to find another Horcrux, they unite and fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. So, a huge battle at the castle starts and the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort begins.


Daniel Radcliffe never gave a breathtaking performance to remember as Harry Potter out of all the films in the franchise. However, in Deathly Hallows: Part II, he still wasn't able to do that, but he delivers easily the best performance out of all 8 films. He made Harry act more of a brave hero than ever in this one, and was convincing enough for the viewers to travel along with Harry (as well as Ron and Hermione) on their long and brave task to find and destroy the Horcruxes and then Voldemort himself. However, despite his performance was better in this one than any other film, he still had his weakness like in every other film: forced acting. Apart from that, he ended seeing Harry Potter on screen in style! Rupert Grint and Emma Watson make one final appearance together alongside Dan to give the teenage trio one farewell goodbye! All three of them together manage to make this truly the epic conclusion that we all were wanting from the very beginning! Ron and Hermione bond even closer in this final film. Being a guy of the early 90s who grew up with these films as well as alongside Dan, Rupert and Emma, it truly was great to see them all in these films for one last time. So, hopefully they'll be in some more great films in the near future.


The rest of the British actors and actresses who have been in the majority of the films over the past decade, reunite one last time for the final conclusion in this cinema-changing franchise (perhaps the most successful series of films that we Brits have created). Ralph Fiennes was just fantastic as Lord Voldemort aka You-Know-Who, and shows exactly what Voldemort's true nature is, like in the books. He and Dan Radcliffe together made the hero and villain story even more personal, heartfelt, exciting and most of all: epic! Now after watching all of the films that involve Lord Voldemort, Fiennes is the only one who could have pulled off portraying him so accurately. Alan Rickman in my opinion delivers the best performance out of every other actor in the series, and even after seeing a very cold-hearted, bitter and scheming Severus Snape in the previous seven films, we learn secrets about Snape that we hadn't known about before (and Harry didn't know about either). So, therefore, we saw a different Snape and his true colours, which makes him my personal favourite character in the series and I would select him as an Oscar contender for Best Supporting Actor. Alan, you portrayed Snape perfectly and you were deservedly the best actor in the series!


David Yates, the fourth director of the Harry Potter films, and the one with so much on his shoulders to make an epic finale to such a gigantically successful franchise, shows his true colours as a great film director! Admittedly, he had some weaknesses as director of Order Of The Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows: Part I, but he managed to fit in all the action, all the drama, all the romance and even some of the jokes without making it too soppy, boring, un-entertaining or exciting! No, he hasn't been the best director out of the four directors chosen to direct the films, but he has definitely directed the best film in the series, and he did it splendidly! After writing the scripts for all eight films, Steve Kloves one last time writes the screenplay of J.K. Rowling's series finale. Although, some lines were a tad bit cheesy (like in the rest of the films), it still made the film feel real by mixing the modern world that we live in now alongside the Wizarding World aka the "Harry Potter world". So, I'd like to see him return writing a series of scripts for films in the future.


Overall, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II is an absolutely magnificent, epic finale to such a phenomenal franchise! Just like Toy Story 3 last year, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part II is the ending of an era of my childhood (like most people of the late 80s and early 90s) so for that reason, this film really means a lot to me! It hurts to say that the series is now over, but it is easily the best film of the series and they really did save the best film until last. Therefore, it couldn't have ended the series any better than it did. Farewell, Harry Potter!

"Only I can live... forever."


After seven books and eight films, the story of 'the boy who lived' is finally over. It took ten years to bring the writing of J.K Rowling out to the screens, resulting in eight wonderful films. While there certainly have been some of them that haven't been as good as others, they all carry the magical feeling they were supposed to deliver. But it is the last two installments that really managed to capture the books in a way that goes beyond magical. And "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" ends up being the absolute best Harry Potter-film, and it could not have ended better.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" does naturally continue immediately after Part 1, and the focus is on the final confrontation between Harry Potter and the Dark Lord Voldemort. And when witnessing the last two films it is pretty clear that the split was necessary. I can't possibly see how they would have managed to conclude the story so perfectly as they have, if it were only one film. The first film did nicely capture the slow pace of the first half of the book, along with the sad atmosphere, and the desperate feeling of isolation and waiting that the book brought. Part 2 continues to carry the sad atmosphere and emotion, but does include the answers and the spectacular action that the book gave. So it is safe to say that the split was needed, and I would say that they should have split all the books into two films.

"I never wanted any of you to die for me."


If you are a huge Harry Potter fan, this will propably be an emotional nightmare for you. It certainly was for me. I'm a boy, but I'm not ashamed to admitt that I teared up several times. Those who have read the book, or seen the film can propably guess at which parts I cried. The film does so beautifully manage to capture all those sad moments from the book on to the screen, without losing the emotional impact that it gave when I read those specific sentences.

And the acting has never been better. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson delivers their absolutely best, and particularly Daniel Radcliffe does an amazing job. He does indeed show that he is able to capture the wide range om emotions that Harry goes through. But, while the golden trio does a perfect job, it is Alan Rickman's Severus Snape that really shines. Severus Snape has perhaps been the most interesting character in the whole franchise, and when we finally dwells deeper into him, Alan Rickman really get's to show us the brilliant job he has done with Snape. And you can't escape from the Dark Lord himself. Ralph Fienns whistling Voldemort is absolutely menacing, and goes on to be one of the best villains in the history of cinema.

One of the most impressive things with the Harry Potter films is the fact that they have managed to gather and keep an astonishing cast of the finest British actor and actresses alive. You have David Thewlis, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon and so many more. All returning to give their character those few seconds of needed screentime. And it is good to see that, even though they have the main focus on the main characters, they take their time to include many of the minor characters. Even if it only is for like a second or two. And that really show of huge this franchise really is. It is good to see Emma Thompson pop up fully dressed as Professor Sybil Trelawney in Part 2, even if it is for just one second.

"Harry Potter, the boy who lived... come to die."


"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is a visual feast, unlike anything I've seen recently. It is an epic. It's a spectacular blockbuster. The action is huge and massive, and there is no denying that David Yates have done an incredible job. To be able to portray 'the battle of Hogwarts' on the big screen, couldn't have been an easy job, seeing how big it actually is. But it certainly couldn't have been done any better. Then there is thing's that doesn't always get mentioned. It is beautifully photographed, the editing is superb, the set is massive, but gorgeous. The score from Alexandre Desplat is suting and amazing. But I did have a huge grin on my face when those well-known tones from John Williams legendary score came up from time to time.

Now, I feel like saying so much more. But, the truth is, I'm actually quite speechless. Yes, I know that I have said a lot now, but there is so much more I want to say. I want everyone to know what a masterpiece this is. What an emotional triumph it is. But I'm not sure if I have all the correct words for it, and I am a lousy reviewer. Anyway. This is one of my favourite films of all time, and is easily going to be on the top spot for my 2011 list. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is more than anyone could have dared to hope for. It is the ending the franchise deserves, it is a love letter to the fans and a perfect way to conclude ten years of Harry Potter films. I don't remember exactly who said it, or the exactly how the quote was, but 2001 - 2011 will in film history be counted as the 'Harry Potter years'.

I went to the theatres, expecting absolutely nothing after the last 3 three Harry Potter films that David Yates has directed. And it was better that way.



The thing is I am actually quite conflicted.
The Deathly Hallows Part 2 contains a bunch of greatly done scenes:
action packed escapes, mere character behaviour that makes one laugh, appealing flashback sequences, neat animation and gloom.
Unfortunately the overall impression is very underwhelming.
The worst thing is that the film is incredibly rushed, already when showing the opening credits it seems.
Important scenes lose their effect because of their shortness or speed-up.
(for example: the death scenes were emotional, but too short for people who deserve much more attention)
The whole story of Dumbledore is totally left alone even though it's one of the most important aspects of the 7th book. And that is not the only neccessary detail that was just ignored but since they failed to tell the story understandably in Part I already it's no surprise.
Snape's story lost its touch and believability because the director refrained from working towards it before.
It's just a big mess, I wonder how people who didn't read the book understand the plot?

My second main point of criticism is the drama in the film.
Sure, it's the final part of the franchise it needs to be epic and all.
It just doesn't work all that well when the minor scenes get all the melodramatic music and acting and cease to support the actual moments that matter.
(e.g. the fight lacked any characteristics of one. There was just a building collapsing and the fight against Voldemort went by so fast it seems almost unreal.)
It didn't help that there were many pointless ore ridiculous moments and that the continuity was questionable.
Furthermore did characters beside Harry and Voldemort get very little attention.
Ralph Fiennes did well, Daniel Radcliff's so-so acting is nothing new anyways.
But seriously, the others are equally important!



Also I already feared the epilogue which was already disappointing in the actual book so yeah, in the film it was even worse as many things were just left out.

Well, it just makes me very sad that David Yates ends this gigantic franchise, that started out so well before he began to direct, so passionless. The last scene (excluding the epilogue which isn't much of a better ending) is a joke.
The whole film seemed to be put together so unenthusiasticly.
That's not what I expect of a finale.

This opinion comes from a person who loves all the books and has given up on the films since the 5th part. So, people who did not read J.K. Rowling's book might be very pleased with this film. People like me might share the opinion.
The readers are always comparing, they just can't help it. ;)