[rating:4.5]
What can I say . One of the best of the series, spectacular, one of the best conclusion to a series that I have ever saw, heart pumping. All those phrases and more would apply to this film. Seeing it in 3D probably made it for me at least, a perfect visual and entertaining experience. I would rank this one up with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Which in my opinion until this one was the best of the series. Again this is an opinion and opinions tend to be of a personal choice . But looking at polls across the web I think I was not alone on this assessment. Most polls rate Deathly Hallows – Part 2 as the second best film. That would be a tough one if you asked me. Deathly Hallows – Part 2 had all those elements I enjoyed from the best scenes of all the other Harry Potte movies . It was deeper in plot isn some ways then the others and tied all the loose ends as in the book series had done.
Usually I pick some highlights to share of the film that either made the film or broke it. In this case there were so many highlights it was hard to keep track of them all. Unlike Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 which was a snoozer ( I know I will hear it from the faithful on saying that ) and had many low lights such as the pace of the film. And yes I do understand that Part 1 was a set up film. Being an avid Babylon 5 fan I can appreciate the set up film . However truth be told they are not the greatest ones to experience. But they are the ones that need to be seen to understand the whole franchise especially the endings. That said Part 2 did not disappoint one bit. I was expecting a pay off and sure enough I got it.
One little parental warning. I noticed many parents taking little kids to the theater and the kids being frightened to the point of tears in some cases. This was a dark film and not really for the kids. Unlike the 1st of the series that was set up as a quasi kid movie . This film was aimed for an older audience. Not saying a kids may not enjoy it. But I do suggest that you go see the movie first before taking your kids. You know them better and could gage what is good for them or not. Me I would not take my youngest but I would take my 12 year old.
Plot from Wikipedia . Caution there are spoilers as usual.
As Lord Voldemort retrieves the Elder Wand from Albus Dumbledore’s grave, Severus Snape has become Hogwarts’ headmaster. Meanwhile, after burying Dobby, Harry Potter speaks with the goblin Griphook about breaking into Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault at Gringotts bank, suspecting that a Horcrux may be hidden there. Griphook agrees to take Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the vault in exchange for the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry asks Ollivander, a wandmaker, to identify two wands they took from Malfoy Manor. Ollivander says they belonged to Bellatrix and Draco Malfoy, but Malfoy’s wand has changed its allegiance to Harry.
At Bellatrix’s vault, Harry discovers that the Horcrux is Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup. He obtains the cup but Griphook takes the sword and abandons the trio, leaving them cornered by the alerted security. However, the three release the dragon guardian and flee. Harry has a vision of Voldemort killing goblins, including Griphook, and learns that the Dark Lord has discovered the theft. Harry also learns there is a Horcrux at Hogwarts, that is in some way related to Rowena Ravenclaw. The trio apparate into Hogsmeade, which sets off an alarm. They are rescued by Aberforth Dumbledore, who instructs a portrait of his younger sister, Ariana, to fetch Neville Longbottom who leads the trio through a secret passageway into Hogwarts.
Snape hears of Harry’s return and informs staff and students of the severe punishment for aiding Harry. Harry confronts Snape, who flees after Minerva McGonagall challenges him to a duel. McGonagall gathers the community of Hogwarts to prepare for battle. At Luna Lovegood’s insistence, Harry speaks to Helena Ravenclaw’s ghost. She reveals that Voldemort performed “dark magic” on her mother’s diadem, which is in the Room of Requirement. Ron and Hermione go to the Chamber of Secrets, where Hermione destroys the Horcrux cup with a Basilisk fang. In the Room of Requirement, Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle and Blaise Zabini attack Harry, but Ron and Hermione intervene. Goyle casts a Fiendfyre curse and is burned to death, but Malfoy and Zabini are saved by the trio before destroying the Ravenclaw diadem. As the school is attacked by Voldemort’s forces, Harry, during a trip into Voldemort’s mind, realizes that his snake, Nagini, is the final Horcrux. After entering the boathouse, the trio witness Voldemort telling Snape that the Elder Wand cannot serve him until Snape dies, and has Nagini kill Snape. Before dying, Snape tells Harry to take his memories to the Pensieve. Meanwhile, in the chaos, Fred, Remus, and Tonks are killed.
Harry learns from Snape’s memories that Snape loved Harry’s mother Lily, but despised his father James. Following her death, Snape agreed with Dumbledore to protect Harry from Voldemort out of his love for Lily. He also learns that Dumbledore’s death at Snape’s hands was planned between them. Harry learns that he became a Horcrux when Voldemort originally failed to kill him and that he must die in order to destroy the piece of soul within him. Harry goes to die at the hands of Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. Voldemort casts the Killing Curse upon Harry, who finds himself in a strange limbo where Dumbledore’s spirit meets him and explains that the part of Voldemort within Harry was killed by Voldemort’s own curse. Harry decides to return to his body to face Voldermort for the final time.
Voldemort announces Harry’s death to everyone at Hogwarts, and that anyone who defies him will be killed. As Neville gives a speech, Harry reveals that he is alive. Neville draws forth the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, and as Harry begins his duel with Voldemort across the school, Neville decapitates Nagini, leaving Voldemort mortal. During this time, Molly disarms and kills Bellatrix. Voldemort is killed as the Elder Wand returns to Harry. After the battle, Harry explains that the Elder Wand had recognised him as its master because he had disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor, who in turn had disarmed its previous owner, Dumbledore. Harry snaps the Elder Wand, rejecting its power.
Nineteen years later, Harry and Ginny Potter, along with Ron and Hermione Weasley, watch proudly as their children leave for Hogwarts from King’s Cross station.
Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Official Web Site
Harry Potter Film series in order
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)