A test review I wrote whilst on work experience at Empire...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2


Plot: The finale of the saga sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emily Watson) heading back to Hogwarts after being on the run in order to destroy the remainiong Horcrux’s and face Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) evil forces in the last epic battle of good versus evil.

Review: After splitting the final book in two and not quite managing to release the films every year, it feels like Harry Potter has been with us for an eternity. For many the books, as with the films, are a major part of their development and they have found connections with the characters. The average 10 to 17-year-olds do not have to fight evil, go on magical quests or fly through the air, but they do go through love, loss, success, tragedy and the frustration of school and growing up. The end of the films for many is the end of an era.

This inevitably gave the film a tremendous amount of excitement in the build up. The spectacular special effects and ambitious shots meet up to this excitement. Every spell, dragon and troll looks fantastic; demonstrating how far the special effects have grown from the first film. But the direction makes sure this is more than just visual wonder, as it is professionally executed. It is also a relief that the younger actors finally got to grips with their jobs. Radcliffe in particular comes off as genuine, believable and far from laughable as he once was. Though it is once again the established actors who steal the show with Snape’s final scenes being particularly memorable and moving.

The story line however does not match up to the excitement. Those who have not read it will be alienated, as they will not fully understand the details that the film assumes everyone should know. It is inevitable that the plot would have to be compromised and this has an effect on the emotional impact. Deaths are too quick, big character moments, in particular Julie Walters "Aliens" moment, are rushed and, despite the plot not being predictable, when there are surprises they are not satisfyingly explained.

Other fantasies, and it is all too easy to compare this to Lord of the Rings, have worked as stand alone films, this one does not. Whether it was necessary to split the book due to the sheer volume or for profit is unclear but the gap slightly disjoints the narrative. 

Another part of the film which is problematic, and this may seem strange given the genre, is how often magic is used without explanation to move the story along. Problems are to easily fixed with magic, especially in finding ways back into Hogwarts.

The spectacle of it is enough to keep the audience entertained, though since the third and forth installments the franchise has never fully managed to be as moving, relevant or important enough to be among the greatest fantasies in cinema. Popularity of the books, however, will be the film's major success.

Verdict: Harry Potter has come an awful long way in 10 years and there is more than enough to keep audiences entertained. Fans will be distraught but it is only a matter of time before the gap it leaves in the fantasy calendar is filled by something bigger and better. 

3/5

Jim Watkins