Harry's Last Hurrah
As I write this review it is a week or two after the announcement came that there would be a spin-off movie called "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" so just as I think I have finished with J.K. Rowling's world of wizardry I know that one day I will watch and review another movie. That isn't a complaint as having finally watched "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" I have to say it is one of the most consistently good series of movies I have ever watched and the reason for that is not only because of the high standard of production of each episode but Rowling's story which took the audience on a journey which grew with them. It makes me smile to think back over a decade when I watched the cutely magical "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" that it would end up in such a grown up manner full of action, drama, suspense and bringing everything together to complete the story in the most satisfactory of manner.
So as to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" well it carries on where "Part 1" left off with Harry, Hermione and Ron continuing the search for the various Horcruxes in order to weaken Voldemort. And their journey takes us over some familiar ground from a trip into Gringotts Wizarding Bank back up to Hogwarts where darkness over shadows the mighty castle as Voldemort and his legion descend. But more importantly for Harry he learns the truth and what that means for him whilst Hermione and Ron finally concede to their feelings for each other.
How do you finish what I am sure is the most popular series of movies in the history of cinema, well with no expense spared. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is 130 minutes of action, adventure, excitement and drama which surpasses everything which we had watched over the years. The special effects are tighter, the atmosphere is electrifying and the acting well it is as consistently high as it was a decade earlier with the young child stars having blossomed into confident actors and I don't just mean the trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as the likes of Matthew Lewis and Devon Murray have also grown into entertaining actors.
But the most important thing is that whilst "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" delivers the expected battle between Harry and Voldemort it more importantly ties everything together. Things which we learned a decade earlier in the first movie are tied up so that by the time the movie comes to an end it has become clear what is what, who is who and why so and so did that. And yes I am skirting around the details because if like me you haven't read the Harry Potter books it is nice to discover the detail for yourself. It is also nice that these final two movies have basically given us a tour of the various places we have come to know over the years from the Dursley's home to Gringotts and of course the matrix of corridors and tunnels at Hogwarts. I honestly didn't expect to be moved as much as I was by these movies and in many ways watching "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is tinged with sadness as this has been a unique and special experience.
But I will be honest the strength of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" as well as all the preceding movies come down to one person and that is J.K. Rowling. From her imagination which gave us Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross to the wonderful names of characters she has created this wonderful world with wonderful characters. But what she also has done is grown the story so we go from a child friendly first story which is magical and quite sweet to this dark, dramatic adventure which appeals to those who have grown up with Harry, Ron and Hermione over the years. On that note I will say this to any parent who has a young child who wants to watch these movies, give them the experience we had, one a year and allow them to grow watching the movies in tune with the characters, it makes it much more magical and appropriate especially as the latter movies are more dramatic and not as suitable for young children as the first couple were.
What this all boils down to is that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" is a fitting final instalment of what has been a terrific series of movies. Some might yearn for more and to be honest I am a little sad that the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron are over but it has ended on a perfect high.
