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

SYNOPSIS:

The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord’s three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again

REVIEW:

The gang of Harry Potter has returned for a last round of magic and wizardry. This latest release “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2”, is a prize return to the best of Harry Potter films. With a long legacy of sequels, the original varied over the years from great releases to letdowns. Following the novel’s story line, the evolution of Harry Potter in recent films varied in subject matter with its less satisfactory releases focused more on the growth, coming of age and the prolonged lead up to a battle with Lord Voldemort.

Well look no further as this final episode is the darkest yet with a flurry of wizard denizens supporting the attack on Hogswarts. It’s all out war, chaos and a final standoff in this battle of good vs evil.

I’m sure that with the varied audiences ranging from children to adults, that the tone of Harry Potter films might have been geared in several instances to a younger crowd. It’s safe to say that this latest return will please more adult viewers and those who have been waiting for more magic and less voyage. In fact, the film sports a PG-13 rating which is noted as “some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images”

With Harry and the team hot on destroying all the Horcruxes, Lord Voldemort is busy gathering his army for an all and all out attack on the school.

We begin where part 1 left off. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are running out of time in tracking down all the Horcruxes. They have located the whereabouts of the remaining… though to retrieve them is going to be the hardest challenge yet. Battling dragons, trolls, fire beasts and all sort of magic, they tough it out using wit and skill against impossible odds.

Lord Voldemort has gathered an army in which he unleashes upon Hogswarts when receiving word that Harry has returned. Though Harry is not without friends and wizards who support his path against all things evil. The tests of strength and power will all come to a head with the entire wizard kingdom doing battle. Though it is Harry and Lord Voldemort, who must come head to head to finish things once and for all.

There are no more secrets as all will be revealed in this full circle release. With its part 1 focusing more on journey and a slow build, the 2nd half has managed to deliver on all accounts in this do or die confrontation.

I have followed each film, and made judgements along the way as to my level of satisfaction. I think its not a stretch to say while all offered some great moments, I never really connected fully until now. Those holes in storylines that those of us who didn’t read the books have been waiting on have been revealed in a way that is truly cinematic.

Ray Fiennes gets his greatest moment in the series with a full lead apperance sporting plenty of dark magic moments. Without ruining the reveals, I can say that all your suspicions and doubts will come full circle leaving no stones unturned. It is also worth mentioning that the ending is brilliantly resolved with a nice touch and nice ending to the series. We surely will miss the team, but then again they have all grown and are probably ready to move onto the next thing. If you missed the first part, it is advised to watch it first to pick up the connections in this film.

The movie is rich in special effects, and fantastic moments. With clocking in at 2 hours and 10 minutes, the film doesn’t lag and manages to move from one challenge to the next. You’ll surely want to tune in this last round for the most fantastic Harry Potter film yet.

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