Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

July 15, 2011 at 9:12 am | Posted in Movies, Reviews | 2 Comments
Tags: harry potter and the deathly hallows part two

You might wonder why a Star Wars site would review Harry Potter, but the truth is that Harry Potter is not so different from Star Wars. Both follow the Hero’s Journey, both have witches (Dathomiri witches), sorcerers (Sorcerers of Rhand/Tund), and magic (it’s called the Force). The line between science-fiction and fantasy can be very subtle, and Star Wars certainly had a bit of both. And of course Harry Potter is a cultural phenomena. So without further ado, here is the review.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Review

“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”

And so Harry Potter began, and after a rich and lucrative book series came to an end with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fan turned to the next best thing- the somewhat-continuation of Harry’s journey in the film adaptions. However, that too, is now over with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Deathly Hallows Part 2 has already broke box office record in sales of any midnight release to date with an estimated $32 million. And for all of those fans anxious (and sad) for Part 2, they will not be disappointed. Stepping out of the theater, I was completely blown away by that film. It delivered everything I was hoping for and more, what with the stunning storytelling and character development, to the more specific cases of Professor McGonagall’s bad-assery and the inclusion of Molly Weasley’s famous line before dealing a certain wicked Death Eater a fatal blow.

The film was full of joy and sorrow, stunning visuals and ominous tones. The film begins with the Big Three (Harry, Ron, and Hermione) and their continuing quest to find and destroy all of Lord Voldemort’s horcruxes, and after a good 20 minutes of the film they not only have apprehended one, but are already on their way to Hogwarts. The film moves very fast, and I loved that.

In fact, in almost an effort to make up for the loss of Hogwarts in Part 1, the very opening of the film begins at Hogwarts itself, with Professor Severus Snape, now Head Master of the school, looking on as the Death Eaters shepherd students throughout the grounds. More than half the movie took place at Hogwarts, and thus, the movie was much more a war movie than anything else.

In addition to the stunning cut, visuals, and tone, the acting was spot on. Daniel Radcliffe definitely gives his greatest performance yet, and others that absolutely stood out to me were Alan Rickman’s Snape, Maggie Smith’s McGonagall, and Matthew Lewis’ Neville Longbottom – whose moment of glory is very much extended in the film version of the Deathly Hallows.

There were some alterations to the plot though – such as major cuts in the Epilogue scene (Which still looked amazing, anyway) and some of the death scenes in the Battle of Hogwarts, most of which were not actually seen. However, the finished cut after the alterations still delivered, and this is without a doubt the most operatic Potter yet. I am currently planning on seeing it again tonight (Having saw it also at midnight) and probably a few more times in it’s theatrical run. I recommend this film to anyone – even to those who have not even read/seen the others – because it was truly a quality, good film.

“All was well.”

I give it five out of five brass bikinis.

Reviewed By: Zinnos