Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review: An Epic Finale

The end is finally here. It’s an epic event for fans who have followed the Harry Potter series for the last decade. Many fans feel as if they’ve grown up with the series, I know I sure do. So seeing an early screening of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was a bittersweet moment for me and everyone else surrounding me. Fans cheered as the film unfolded bringing visualizations to the end of one of the most successful book series of all time. I couldn’t help but compare the experience to seeing Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King at the midnight showing years ago.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 picks up right where Part 1 left off, and we begin the build up to the final face-off between Harry Potter and Voldemort. For those that haven’t read the books, there are more than a few surprises coming your way. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are still searching for the last of the seven Horcruxes which store part of Voldemort’s soul, and in the meantime, Voldemort is planning the final showdown between him and Harry. He is dead-set on destroying everything Harry cares about if it means drawing him out to fight. Hogwarts has always Harry’s back though, and they’re not going down without a monumental fight.

If you’ve read the book, you know how the series ends – and if you haven’t, then I won’t spoil you here. But seriously, why haven’t you read the books?! Those that are familiar with the ending though, won’t even be able to imagine how beautifully the final hour plays out on screen. The ending is perfect and defines the series as something that is truly iconic and unique.

I think the decision to split the final book into two films was a brilliant one. I shudder to think what all might have been left out if they had tried to combine the two. Separating it like this helps to give the attention to details and to the characters that the story deserves.

The screening I saw was in 3D, and while I’m generally not a fan of 3D movies, I actually enjoyed this format for Harry Potter. The in-your-face-moments aren’t overwhelming, and the overall visuals are actually enhanced by the 3D technology in multiple scenes. There’s one other really cool thing about it… The glasses. I was greeted with special Potter style glasses upon my arrival. I doubt many fans will be recycling these – I know I sure didn’t! Those are going in my fangirl box!

Back to the visuals though, the visual effects were astonishing – just as you would expect. I’d be shocked if they don’t end up taking the Oscar home for effects and sound. I’m marking this as an early Oscar prediction. The acting was also the best in the series, probably because our favorite trio has really grown up in these roles. We’re really lucky that the same actors have stuck with this project over the years. This not only allowed for visual consistency – but it allowed for these actors to truly inhabit these roles and make them shine in a way no one else could even hold a candle to.

I stayed to watch all the credits, not only to honor the series, but also in hopes that there would be a little something extra for us at the very end. There’s no extra special scene – though I do feel the very last scene would have been a perfect fit for the end of the credits. I’d be interested to know the fans thoughts on this after they see it as well.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 truly is the grandest of finales. And while the film doesn’t always stick perfectly to the book – it works. I’d be interested to hear the thoughts of any fan who disagrees.

On the surface, Harry Potter was a story of magic, but deeper down it covered so much more – love, friendship, family, loss, excitement, death, and hope. It’s a beautiful and bittersweet conclusion to one of the most epic movie series of my life and, if you’re reading this, surely yours too.

Be sure to check out our Harry Potter Contest to pick up lots of awesome swag from the film!

Grade: A+
Official Site: Harry Potter Official Site
Review By: Emma Loggins

Responses

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  1. Great review, you described it really well! For the most part i loved every minute of it, but when it came to the final scenes (SPOILER ALERT) i was slightly disappointed that harry’s and voldemorts confrontation did’nt take place in the great hall surrounded by everyone, i felt this would have created much more suspense and would have made a more exciting end, also i feel the very last scene could have been done a lot better and felt a small bit let down by it. Overall though definetly my favourite Potter movie 9.5/10 most definetely!

  2. It was amazing! Everything you wrote captured how I felt about the movie and series as a whole. I was teary-eyed by the end because it was such a great way to end it. Everyone did a great job – directors, actors, everyone in production – so I am eternally grateful.

  3. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!I was completley baffled by it i had no clue something could be that moving…its the only movie ive ever cried in!

  4. I sat in the theater during the credits too! But I think it was because I was too overwhelmed that now, it’s really the END.

  5. I still haven’t got the chance to watch it yet.Tuesday I was supposed to see it with my sister but her wallet came up missing and the funny thing is my sister friend found it yesterday.lol