Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Review

As in all things there is a beginning and an end. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as directed by David Yates bring to the screen that final instalment we have waited nearly ten years for. Over those ten years we have been introduced to a rich tapestry of characters and over the course of the series watched them grow and shine.

   This film is the third act to part 1, the payoff for its predecessors set up . A third act of dramatic reveals, secrets exposed and the final battle of Hogwarts and the unleashing of Voldermorts forces against our heroes. 

  This is a fitting conclusion but to me not wholly satisfying for once this is a Potter film that left me wanting more. I was approaching the tale as someone who hasn’t read the last three books. I know in any adaption sacrifices have to be made, but in this final film characters we have grown to know and love and who die do not get the dramatic send-off they so richly deserve.  

   The special effects are again breathtaking, the vision at work here is to be applauded but the final battle seemed a little flat to this viewer, due to the emotional gaps , characters flitting in an out as nods to films gone by, but treated little more than as set dressing.

  But a plaudit to Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom who in this film gets his chance to shine; also to Yates  expert well crafted and delivered conclusion to Severus Snapes tale, hankies will be required and well earned Alan Rickman nails this one down, with subtlety and grace.

 This is the conclusion this series deserves, it’s not perfect but I feel  this is down to time constraints but I came away feeling  a mixture of happiness and sadness. Unless J K Rowlings has a change of heart there will be no more Potters .

 I saw the 3D version, there are some great stand out moments but hampered by the fact that much of the film takes place at night, so with the added effects of the 3D glasses this dims the film further making for a less than satisfying visual experience. All is not lost but I feel the 2D version would be preferable due to the image being brighter.