Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Franchise finales don’t get much bigger than this: ten years on, the Harry Potter series finishes with a bang in the form of its eighth film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. The majority of Rowling’s fan base will have read the book, multiple times even, like myself, so the cliff-hanger ending of Part 1, and the happenings of this instalment will come as no surprise. Yet halfway through, despite reading the book 12 hours previously, it still managed to make me gasp audibly.

The film begins with a short recap of Voldemort taking the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s grave, and quickly gets on with things. The time at Shell Cottage, while necessary, is not very interesting, and they rightfully waste no time. The weeks that pass by in the book at Shell Cottage turn into a couple of days in the film, which then means everything that follows happens a lot earlier than the original timescale. Hardcore fans may not like the dates being moved around, but it doesn’t cause any real problems. It keeps the story flowing, and helps maintain the sense of urgency it requires.

Once we get to Hogwarts, there are a lot of changes in the screen version of events. It is much more satisfying to see Ron and Hermione in the Chamber of Secrets, and the courtyard is a much better place for the action to take place, rather than the Great Hall. While all the changes make it more cinematic, you can’t help but feel a little sad at losing the chance of seeing what happens in the book come to life, which is what a screen adaptation promises. There are people who will never know any other version than this. Although fans may feel strongly about the changes, they can’t deny this version of events is exhilarating to watch.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is much more the adult characters’ film (and Neville’s), rather than “the trio”. Their performances still continue to be the best of the series, but the other characters stand out here. Particularly Alan Rickman (Snape), Maggie Smith (McGonagall) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom). Neville gets his moment, as he does in the book, and no fan will be disappointed. McGonagall also gets her chance to shine, more than she does in the book, and Smith is brilliant and funny. Anyone who hasn’t read the books is in for a shock when we get to see Snape’s memories. Alan Rickman is the best cast actor/role in the series, and you can really only appreciate that after this film. His performance wraps up his whole storyline beautifully.

Alexandre Desplat’s score continues in its brilliance. Apart from the opening sequence, the score sounds like it is part of Part 1, as it should. More than anything, the music connects the two films together. In the middle of the battle, there’s a scene where Harry, Ron and Hermione are battling as they run across the courtyard, and you can hear the bangs and the blasts, but the score is more prominent. Action and battle sequences don’t need to be just loud, as they often are in summer blockbusters, they should be more like this.

I have very few, small issues with the film. I wish they had kept more of J. K. Rowling’s dialogue, because a lot of it is very appropriate. I also wish they had stuck closer to the details in the book. And the series didn’t need to end in 3D. The 3D is very good, possibly one of the best conversions we’ve seen yet, but majority of the time it is pointless. There are some very good 3D moments, particularly in the vault at Gringotts, and the beginning of the battle at Hogwarts. There is a moment when Kingsley stuns a Death Eater that’s exactly the kind of thing 3D should be used for. But at this point in the series, being the only film in eight to have the extra dimension is unnecessary.

There’s a feeling of passion that you get from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 that you don’t get this late in other franchises. It’s not all about making money; they know the importance of getting this right. It’s an end of an era after all. A whole generation of children, including myself, grew up on these books and films. There will always be things they could have done better or differently, but there would be outrage if anyone dared to remake them.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 looks and feels different to Part 1. It’s actually lighter in mood, with brilliantly inserted moments of humour here and there. The spacing may test the patience of non-fans. Lingering shots of Hogwarts crumbling won’t evoke the same response in every viewer, but these films aren’t made for those who will feel nothing. A great deal of heart and skilled craftsmanship has gone into this film, to give the Harry Potter series the epic end it deserves.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is released nationwide on July 15th.