Grange Helms Deep – Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2
And now, the end is here. The decade-spanning cinematic Harry Potter franchise reaches its climax, eight films on from its first outing. David Yates returns to the director chair for a fourth time, turning out an assured film that is no doubt a sufficient finale for what might be the most critic-proof film of the last 12 months (yes, even more so than Transformers: Dark Of The Moon). That isn’t to say that Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a film that needs to rely on critical ignorance, it’s actually quite the opposite, but one ought to recognise the fact that fans of this particular franchise will be seeing this film regardless of what myself, or anyone else for that matter, thinks.
So yes, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 picks up where Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1 left off; Dobby is dead, the rebellion Order Of The Phoenix is at an all-time low, and general turmoil surrounds our heroes.
Naturally, the increasingly dark tone of the series comes to fruition here in the final film. People die, in harsh ways. One particularly eerie moment involving a pair of young girls screaming, as the big bad intercepts their thoughts, and a sequence involving Voldemort and Harry gliding through the air has a genuine feel of the surreal about it, with the two quite literally becoming one at times, hinting at the thematic heart of the picture. Scale, something the series has lacked in the past, picks up a notch, with The Battle Of Hogwarts truly wonderful in scope. Hundreds of wizards, trolls and creatures fight to the death, as the walls of the school collapse under the pressure. As an as an action scene it works terrifically well, but, and perhaps even more importantly, as a symbolic act it works terrifically well. The whole saga comes full circle, which, for a series spanning such a long amount of time (production wise) is little short of awe-inspiring. Even as someone who isn’t a fan of the series (and hasn’t even seen all of the films) the achievement here is applaudable, especially as it was done so with pretty much the same cast throughout.
Speaking of which, and befitting the tone of the film, it’s the caliginous members of the cast that impress the most. Jason Isaacs and Tom Felton as Malfoy 1 and 2 have developed most dramatically through the series, their tragic final standpoint far more interesting than the slightly dull path that Harry & co. takes. Deathly Hallows Part 2 is as much Ralph Fiennes’ Lord Voldemort’s film as it is the eponymous hero’s, and special note also needs to be made of Alan Rickman’s Severus Snape. Home to the most poignant revelation of the whole Harry Potter series, Severous Snape’s “journey” for want of a better term, is a joy, and genuinely moving.
There are a couple of problems with the film; Allusions to both the Star Wars saga and the Lord Of The Rings can’t help but be made, alas thats merely a hazard of the job, so to speak, of being a cinematic fantasy franchise. The 3D is truly terrible, coming across like something akin to a lenticular poster, and is ultimately hugely distracting. The biggest problem with the film is the awful epilogue tacked on to the end of the film. Its executed so poorly that any sense of sincerity is removed from the final moments of the film. To make matters worse, the “real” ending, before the whole “19 years later” tangent is hugely moving, and perfectly befitting of the tone of the film. Alas, none of these things are likely to bother the average cinemagoer, but as something of a Potter novice I couldn’t help but pick up on them.
One can’t help but believe that Warner Bros. made a creative faux-pas by splitting The Deathly Hallows in to two parts. The first 45 minutes of Part 1 combined with the fairly brisk 130 minute running time of Part 2 would have made a far more enjoyable experience than the hugely overlong ordeal that is the complete Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows. From a financial standpoint its clear why this decision was made, but its a shame, and one that slightly damages an otherwise wonderful closing chapter to a series of films that has defined the admittedly niche market of the British Blockbuster in the 21st Century.
Why couldn’t Warners leave the movie alone with it’s 3D retro-fitting nonsense?
God knows, got to have been the almighty dollar. It was a terrible decision to release it like this.
nice review-
i also agree that there is something wrong with part 1-
I could easily handle there being a part 1 but it needed a rewrite before it hit the cameras-
Great write up which leaves me really looking forward to this now. I loved part 1, which I was surprised about as I found the films going down hill after 4. As for the dimensions, I shall be going to see the 2D version. Luckily my local always have that option.
Thanks Jim, really appreciate the kind words.
Yes, I can not stress just how much 2D is needed here. Wish we’d had the option!
Cheers for the review. I love reading your thoughts on films, and despite you being a Potter-ignorant-fool, enjoyed this a lot. I think most people thought the tacky epilogue ending of the book was a disaster, but it’s understandable why Rowling did it – she didn’t want to have the temptation of returning to Harry.
Anyway, am glad you saw it and enjoyed it (?). Watch the others – do it. The first 2 are crap, but they get quite good from then on. Well, at least the 3rd one is excellent. And dark. I liked it.
Well, the fourth is pretty woeful too. As Oscar Wilde said of Wagner, it has some wonderful moments, but some terrible half-hours.
There’s good and bad in the series, and I’ve enjoyed most of the films. Their legacy, unfortunately, may be the idea that films must be unflinchlingly faithful to source material for better or worse, but nonetheless I think it’s been a decent series of blockbusters.
The final book was too lengthy to be condensed into one movie and do the story/characters justice. Of course this had to be made into two movies. Part one tells the story of chapters 1-24 with part 2 telling chapters 25 – epilogue. The “19 years later” is also at the end of the book and gives the reader insight to the 3 main characters and reveals Draco Malfoy is still around. I would have been hugely disappointed if the final book was made into just one movie as the story couldn’g be justly told in 2 1/2 or 3 hours. I LOVE the fact that JK Rowling gave us closure on all the characters – even minor characters such as Oliver Wood and the centaurs fight in the Hogwarts battle at the end and they hadn’t been mentioned since earlier books. Fantastic story telling!
I can appreciate your stance on the story, being a fan of the books and whatnot, but I disagree about the story not being able to have been told in less time. The first part of The Deathly Hallows is just far too long for such little plot. Nothing of note (to the cinematic series) happens in the final hour of that particular film, and it could have easily have been cut down in to one 3 hour film.
I understand perfectly why the epilogue is there, but put simply, it just doesn’t work. It removes any kind of dramatic closure from the events of the main timeline, and is far too saccharine for its own good. The make up is truly awful too; it looks like a bunch of kids playing dress up. Its ultimate crime is that it removes the emphasis from the three core characters of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and closes with the focus on a new generation of wizard. It just doesn’t work.
“Nothing of note (to the cinematic series) happens in the final hour of that particular film, and it could have easily have been cut down in to one 3 hour film.”
Did you watch The first Deathly Hallows film or did you sleep through the last hour of it?
Everything that sets up the second part happens in the last hour of the first part.
1) Harry, Ron, and Hermione encounter the snatchers and get dragged to Malfoy Manor.
2) Hermione is tortured and Griphook, Ollivander, and Luna escape to shell cottage.
3) Harry defeats Malfoy and takes his wand.
4) Bellatrix freaks out about the sword and assumes her vault has been broken into.
5) Wormtail and Dobby die.
Numbers 3 and 4 are absolutely crucial to the plot of part two and could not have been skimmed over or left out. If Harry did not defeat Malfoy and take his wand then the Elder wand would not rightfully owe it’s allegiance to him, ending the battle of Hogwarts with Voldemort as the victor and the Master of the Elder wand, regardless of his destroyed horcruxes. And if Bellatrix had not freaked out and falsely assumed her vault in Gringotts had not been broken into, Harry, Ron, and Hermione never would have looked there and found Hufflepuff’s cup.
I understand that if you have not seen the entire series, and certainly have not read the books, the plot may seem spongy and it may SEEM like there are unimportant or less-than-crucial parts in the first film. But if you really follow the plot, it unravels like any good mystery, and even though the first part may not have been as good as the second part, that was something those of us who read the book EXPECTED as it was not the full story arch as Rowling wrote it.
Now as for number 5, the death of Wormtail and Dobby, the movies totally and royally fucked up those plot points. Wormtail, in the book, dies because he, for a moment, considers that Harry saved his life in the shrieking shack when Sirius and Lupin were planning to kill him. He considers this and then considers mercy for just an iota of an instant, and the hand that Voldemort gave him, the silver one, strangles him. I understand that parents might have taken issue to a suicide in a kids movie, but that was a chilling part of the book and I hated not seeing it.
Dobby was simply left out of the movies thus far so his death was not as poignant to a movie fan as it was to the fans of the books. I know this because my nephew, who refuses to read them, looks at me and his brother like we are nuts when we lament Dobby’s passing. For the movie fan, think back to pretty much all the cool stuff Neville did (procuring the Gillyweed for the second task, finding the Room of Requirement) and those are things harry had to thank Dobby for, not Neville.
As far as the epilogue goes, it was entirely unavoidable. While saccharine and possibly cliche, the future Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione and their kids absolutely had to be there. No getting around it. I can’t wait to see if they included “Teddy” Lupin and all the kids’ dialogue. I have a feeling it will be shorter from the way you describe it, though.
Aside from that, your review was fair, considering you are obviously not a fan of the books or a Harry Potter fan at all really. The success of Harry Potter is in the details, not the big shining action movie moments. If you are not into the details, you will still enjoy the ride, but you will never really “get it” entirely.
I agree with you! There is no way the epilogue could have been left out – neither in the film nor the books.
I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the cuteness overload in the ending of the book, and maybe it was a bit too Disney, but honestly – how would you rather it had ended? Of course any true Potter-fan would have wanted to know what happened to everyone. At least I got a satisfaction from the ending, and I really liked that it ended happily. The ending really shows what’s important and Harry, who’s life had been pretty miserable before the end of Voldemort, deserved to have what he never had before – a happy life with a family and friends.
And the part of everyone marrying and having children – if you fight together, nearly die and overcome evil you get a pretty strong bond that can hardly be found with someone else. Ofcourse it was “meant to be” Harry and Ginny/Ron and Hermione.
Well, people can think what they want about the ending, but I’m glad to say I liked it. And I’m really looking forward to the movie and hope the actors don’t look too ridiculous in their old-people-make-up…
I pretty much agree with all you said, but being a potterhead I have to pick up on one point you made; Wormtail doesn’t die in the films. Which given, is a huge disappointment as his character was set up to die just as he does in the book.
God people make me so angry, I have grown up with the books and the films, and have enjoyed them both immensely but as two different things not combined them as one. Books as successful as The Harry Potter series can never be compared to the films, one because the idea of the books is to exercise our imagination (just like any book) and secondly to perfect any authors book into 3 hours is just wrong. Any author not just J. K. Rowling would be utterly disappointed if months, maybe even years of their life spent writing was not justified when watching it back on the big screen… Its not about whether the films lived up to the books or whether J. K. Rowling ended it the way you liked, its about what us as fans, crictics or just general viewers get out of it and its a great story. Its something that has brought millions of people together. Stop trying to change something truly special when no doubt you’ll still get your children to watch the films and to read the books. Many would disagree, but J. K. Rowling has had, as much effect as Shakespeare and her books will stand the test of time just like The Lord of the Rings triology and many other classics of our time. Oh and when you can write like J. K. Rowling or produce films like David Yates then its acceptable to moan… Rant over
No disrespect was intended. Joyce, 16.
Hi Joyce, and thanks for commenting! I admire your passion for the Harry Potter series, and hope you’re looking forward to seeing the final film!
I’m sorry that you don’t agree with some of my points, but please try and understand that its simply my job to approach any film from an objective point of view, and that no offence was intended with anything I’ve said.
I completely agree with you on Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes’s acting, it saved the movie from being absolutely horrible. If it weren’t for them this movie should have been burnt on the cutting room floor. Comparisons to Star Wars (the originals) and the Lord of the Rings will always be made because they were done so well and drew you into the story rather this travesty that is taking my childhood and attacking it with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson’s expressionless faces. Also looking at it as a standalone movie I’m surprised anyone could follow what was happening. I have read the book and had difficulty following what was going on in front of me.
Yesterday, a test screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was held in downtown Chicago. I was lucky enough for this to be my second test screening of a Potter film. Last August, I attended the test screening of Deathly Hallows Part 1. Being a big Harry Potter fan myself, I was overjoyed to see it. The best word to describe the second part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is epic. But even that is an understatement. I was blown away by the movie, and it was only the test screening! The final Potter film is a tour de force, with enough momentum that I think it will ride in victoriously during awards season. (Finally!)
I’m taking a moment now to form some more coherent thoughts on the film… Overall, the film is great. I felt the beginning was a bit rushed and choppy. But I think the choppiness was mostly due to it being a test screening. And there is so much work that needs to be done. When I saw the test screening for Part 1, it was way more polished than the one yesterday. Part 2 has 2-to-3 times more special effects than Part 1 had. As for it being rushed, it seemed like they wanted to get the trio to Hogwarts as soon as they can. Meaning that they had to change or leave out some plot details from the book. Normally, I’m okay with whatever changes they make, but one change sort of bothered me. Yet, it’s not significant enough to make me not like the movie.
Yet, without a doubt, Alan Rickman’s Snape is the performance of the movie. The Prince’s Tale (aka Snape’s memories) is the most powerful part of the story. And they completely nailed it in the movie. I was so impressed. It’s the heart of the movie. It’s at that point when it hits you about how magical this story is. My eyes still burn with tears thinking about it.
It doesn’t help that the scene following it is just as emotional. My second favorite scene of the movie is when he turns to the Resurrection Stone and is reunited with his dead love ones. It’s another powerful scene that will take your breath away and sting your eyes. Again, this is the true magic of the movie.
The deaths hit you just as hard as they did when you read them in the book. If there are still any questions about it, the movie is many ways is faithful to the book, using some of our favorite lines. The movie ends at the right place. It really does come full circle. It’s bittersweet and short. Still, I was satisfied with how it ended.
I can’t wait to see the final product! As far as seeing it 3D, it seems like it wouldn’t be necessary. (I bet Warner Bros. is really hating me now for saying that. lol) If you aren’t a fan of 3D movies or post-3D-conversion, it seems like you won’t be missing much if you see it in 2D. Speaking of it being 3D, I can’t help but be concerned on whether or not it will happen. The movie is supposed to come out in a little over 3 months, right? They have A LOT of work to do with the effects. As I mentioned earlier, Part 1’s test screened 3 months early too and was way more polished, and they chose not to do 3D because of time constraints. So, that’s just something to consider.
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Great review! I am really glad i read this, as i was considering the 3D version, but will take the better option. I too agree that Part 1 was a little tedious, 3 go camping… However it had a couple of redeeming moments..I am really looking forward to this final chapter to bring things full circle.
Thanks Ross, really appreciate the kind words! And yes, avoid the third dimension like the plague!
Great review! I am really glad i read this, as i was considering the 3D version, but will take the better option. I too agree that Part 1 was a little tedious, 3 go camping… However it had a couple of redeeming moments..I am really looking forward to this final chapter to bring things full circle. Oh and i would like to add i think this will be the biggest selling movie since Titanic.