The end is finally upon us. It's been ten years since the beginning and now the final instalment is upon us. People queued and camped for days on end for the world premiere in London, every third advert on television brings us fresh reminders. Most people know what to expect but that doesn't make the wait any less intense and the fans any less eager. We've watched the three heroes grow from the fresh faced child actors; making their debuts on the big screen, to the young adults who have grown so happily familiar to us all and have really brought justice to the franchise. When the series started we were shown a family friendly, happy and magical world which brought wonder and whimsy, but of course as the series progressed, the actors and their characters grew up, the directors changed bringing their own unique touches to the franchise, the dangers grew, the story became more complex, and the word 'darker' became ever more present which each new film. Bringing us to the finale.
The film starts off with a dark setting; Hogwarts is shown as the polar opposite of everything we have grown to love it for. It looms large and foreboding, devoid of colour and character and filled with an ever watchful dark presence. From here the tone of the film is nicely set, bringing a nice contrast to the feeling we as an audience received upon first seeing the school of magic. What follows the opening of the film is the action which the first part of the Deathly Hallows nicely set up. Yes this film is where events really start to unfold, scares and dangers emerge from around every corner, and emotions are heightened to the extreme. This film is determined to go out with a bang, and that is exactly what it does. The first half was a brilliant coming of age road movie, plenty of drama between the main characters and heaps of tension thrown into the mix, as if something could go tremendously wrong at any moment…and that’s where that film ended. Part two has less of the journey and instead goes more for full-on action. We see Harry, Ron and Hermione thrown head first into near impossible escapes, battle scenes and running for their lives as their world literally crumbles around them, and it’s all very exciting!
Dan, Rupert and Emma truly are stars now. Their performances in this last instalment are without doubt the best they could have given. Dan brings the heart as Harry, Rupert the soul as Ron and Emma the brains as Hermione. All three have really blossomed and grown magnificently into their parts, we laugh with them, we cry with them and we shout “at last!” when two of them finally succumb to their emotional feelings for each other, in other words Ron and Hermione finally kiss! and they play it out brilliantly. Many other characters from the past films return, though most literally just make a couple of lineless appearances here and there; Percy Weasley for example only seems to be in one scene for about five seconds then disappears, but it is nice to see that the filmmakers are at least including these characters in some way, and for fans it is like having a who’s who brush up on past Potter characters.
Three other characters really stood out, and they were Neville, Voldemort and Snape. It is pleasing to see that Neville, as well as playing his usual comic relief role, also gets his moment to shine and finally makes a stand. Voldemort shows his vulnerable side, as he realises what our heroes are up to we see him panicked and scared, as well as dealing out brutish violence himself. However the main stand out, who probably should have had a little more screen time, was Professor Snape. It was a relief to see that Snape’s back story was included in the film and it was executed beautifully, a well shot, lump-in-the-throat story, which really makes you gasp and reach for those tissues. Probably the best scene in the film, it really packs emotional punch as well as acting as a slap-in-the-face catalyst for the main story.
As for the negatives there are only a few minor points in which to bring up. For one I thought there could have been more emotion brought to Harry and Ginny’s relationship. Harry had disappeared for several danger filled months, Ginny was locked away in a school filled with Deatheaters, yet when they finally see each other again…they stand at opposite ends of the room and look at each other…? It would have been nice to have seen the same passion that was brilliantly shown between Ron and Hermione, rather than the polite and conserved approach that they seemed to give each other. Also the whole of Dumbledore’s mysterious past was almost lost, it was built up in the beginning of the first part, when Harry is made to question how well he knew the Professor and we suddenly learnt that Dumbledore’s father killed three muggles. Then in the second part when we meet a long lost member of Dumbledore’s family, a different back story is quickly dished out with little or no mention of the father, and not a lot of explanation at all as to the subject they are talking about, Dumbledore’s sister. These points may only matter so much as I have read the books but it is hard to be objective when being a fan of the books. The final scene of the film may be seen as a bit disappointing, it is Dan, Rupert and Emma made up to be older than they are, about mid to late thirties, and some look better than others (Ginny looks the same but wearing a “mumsy” outfit with a bad wig). It would have been nice to have had the final shot of the film to be the characters as we know them but at least, compared to the books, after the battle of Hogwarts, there is an immediate aftermath which shows us the what happened next? that many fans were left wanting from the books.
David Yates is a genius. It is easy to see why he has stayed on as director since the fifth film, he brings the perfect tone to each film, the perfect level of comedy and tragedy and the films are shot beautifully. The battle of Hogwarts was always going to be a huge challenge, but thanks to the visionary in the director’s chair those scenes were brought to the screen with a blow which will shock and enthrall fans. Seeing the massive force-field surrounding the school set ablaze, stone statues, suits of armour, teachers and characters we all know fighting to defend the school as giants, massive spiders and Deatheaters storm towards the grounds, it truly is a spectacle to behold, brilliantly executed. They say to save the best for last and in the case of the Potter film franchise that has definitely been the case. Since seeing the film I have witnessed many people leaving screens crying clutching tissues, smiling and with an excited buzz and even witnessed a full screen of people clapping as the credits rolled. Deathly Hallows Part 2 truly is the finale all fans have been waiting for. It really shows that everyone involved, cast and crew, have put their all into this last instalment, only a few minor flaws are contained within this masterpiece. From start to finish the action and drama is non-stop, there are plenty of scenes to get the heart racing as well as the middle section of the film which will bring tears to many eyes.
The final and best film is something that must be witnessed on the big screen to get the most impact. Even non-Potter fans could enjoy this one. It pushes the boundaries of violence and gore just enough but it’s still suitable for family viewing. So everyone grab your wands and cloaks and let’s enjoy the magic one last time.
