Die–hard Potter fans, grab your wizard hats and broom- sticks for the last time — the epic part two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has arrived. While the summer flick might not be legendary in its own right, even casual moviegoers must admit that it packs a solid punch as the finale to a hugely popular series.
The film opens on the quiet beach where Part 1 left off. In the wake of Dobby’s death, Harry (Radcliffe), Ron (Grint), and Hermione (Watson) set out to find Lord Voldemort’s remaining horcruxes, knowing that "You–Know–Who" has taken the Elder wand from Dumbledore’s tomb. The old gang of heroes encounters a mix of dragons, love, loss, and — of course — sorcery up to the final stand–off when Harry must “meet his fate,” as Voldemort says.
Unlike its one–part predecessors, the last Potter film doesn’t have to move too quickly or jerk from event to event. With a steady, thrilling pace, The Deathly Hallows furthermore showcases the newfound maturity of its young actors. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson give their characters’ last performances the full- ness they deserve, while supporting cast members deliver with all the richness of their expertise. The series’ veteran players are in top form, with Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Maggie Smith (McGonagall) and Alan Rickman (Snape) once again are at the top of their game. The actors’ balance of humor and drama keep the movie from descending into darkness.
The special effects serve the film well without overpowering its pathos. In just the right moderation, the spell, creature, and battle visuals are tastefully employed while still retaining their wow factor in 3–D. The camera-work furthermore benefits from the more subtle effect of the trendy medium.
With seven books and seven other movies, the film largely carries the excitement of the moment. Thus, good as it is for an adaptation, the film may not have lasting power on its own merit. The second part of The Deathly Hallows spends most of its time build- ing up to the final battle, concentrating mostly on getting to the end rather than further character development. Even with great performances, the reliance on the previous films makes this last one almost inseparable from Part 1 and the rest of the series.
Despite this drawback, the movie is largely satisfying — an accomplishment for part two of a seventh installment in a series. As someone who grew up with Harry Potter, and who secretly wanted a Hogwarts letter on her 11th birthday, hearing the thematic notes for the last time in front of the big screen was — I really can’t help myself here — a little magical, though bittersweet.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 Directed by: David Yates Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson Rated PG–13, 130 min.
