Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 ****

It’s the battle to end all battles, the finale to end all finales after a successful ten-year film run, with a cast who have grown into their roles and made the J.K. Rowling characters their own. A lot of the emotion felt whilst watching Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows stems not only from events whipping you up into a frenzy for the ultimate standoff – Potter verses Voldemort, but also because it slowly hits you that it’s an end of a era that has shaped lives of all ages. Only fans will get the full impact – anyone else just wouldn’t contemplate watching it, unless forced to. As for the 3D, it adds very little to the overall viewing pleasure, almost hindering it in places because it’s a converted 2D film (and shows in areas), so you don’t need to fork out more to gain any added value. Enough said there, really.

The forces of good and evil clash at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, turning the much-loved school into a battleground, and putting all in danger. The pupils rely on Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to lead them to victory, but are tested to their limits, emotionally and physically, by Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) advancing army that lies in wait for attack. But it’s Potter who may be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice as he attempts to kill the Horcruxes and Voldemort, with the final one possibly leading to his own demise.

Director David Yates, who brought the last two Potter films to the big screen, does not disappoint at all, giving us what we’ve waited for; a highly emotive, moody visual action spectacle as the dark clouds draw over the battleground that’s full of witches, wizards, werewolves, dragons, stone armies, tolls etc, resembling the deeply turbulent battle scenes from LOTR: Return of the King. He has us zooming in and out of the action and flying objects, barely allowing pause for thought in some cases. The sheer destruction is striking, but the overwhelming camaraderie and love delivered by the characters making their stand stops you weeping into your popcorn at the cherished institution’s crumbling demise. Some panoramic wides do allow you a proud moment of reflection though at what you have been party to all these years, bringing Rowling’s pages fully to life.

But long before the clouds form over the school and the Potter Army reject Voldemort’s chilling demands, we have a brief catch up with the current situation of our three heroes; Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) that reconnects us with the actors after last year’s more subdued and very lengthy Part 1, and vitally re-establishes the importance of obtaining the last of the Deathly Hallows – the Elder Wand to take Voldemort out.

Yates instantly sets the trio on the trail of the last couple of Horcruxes, which includes a fascinating imitation by Helena Bonham Carter of Hermione/Watson as Bellatrix in Gringotts Bank. We are then treated to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom escape ride through the cavernous vaults of Gringotts Bank that sets the epic stage for the action to come.

It’s obvious that Yates and co are keen to get to the Horcrux if the story, so the whole of Dumbledore’s (Michael Gambon) back story about his estranged relationship with his brother Aberforth (Ciarán Hinds) and sister Ariana (Hebe Beardsall) and his dubious past antics are briefly touched on but not explored, either because it would delay the finale, or it just didn’t work well on film. Some fans may be disappointed that they don’t get to experience elements of Dumbledore’s darker side in this, and it doesn’t really adequately explain Aberforth’s sudden change of heart and defiant appearance in the grounds of Hogwarts, fighting with Potter.

In fact, the film shows each character’s good and bad points, which is important in the soul-searching conclusion. The most fleshed out is the story of Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) and his vital memory that makes the big reveal of Potter’s purpose. Thankfully, the filmmakers do not dwell visually on Snape’s death, but it doesn’t make Nagini’s attacks any less frightening, so some children may have trouble watching these – hence the 12A.

Watson and Grint fans get to see their heroes embrace and snog in what feels like their last hours, but both are more supporting cast in this episode, like Potter backing players, once they get to Hogwarts. The Weasleys’ time is also played down – including the Molly (Julie Walters)-Bellatrix clash – as to not overshadow the plethora of other characters and their importance in the saga, perhaps?

Yates and team do well to give each of their characters the screen-time deserved to round off their journey, and for us to say goodbye, and each learns the valuable lesson of love and family coming first, including Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) who is pulled every which way, emotionally, allowing Felton to give some fine moments.

As for the Potter-Voldemort confrontation of wands, it’s a magical show of lights, sounds and engaging camera-angles, offering an incredible wow factor, but interrupted by a couple of important celestial scenes with some crucial Potter supporters.

Those left in mourning at the end of the film can be buoyed with a renewed sense of hope by the final scenes that stay relatively faithful to the written word of the book. And it’s a great sense of hope and affection that you’re left with in the end, regardless of J.K. Rowling’s recent hints of an eight book on the cards. Let’s hope she gives in to writing temptation as there is a sense that this could go on and on with a new generation characters and fans.

4/5 stars

By @FilmGazer

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Watch highlights from the World Premiere HERE