Unless you’ve been living under a rock the world over knows all about Harry Potter. After a spate of best-selling books by author J.K. Rowling and seven critically acclaimed films (and one short) the series comes to an appropriate end with the second part of The Deathly Hallows. Or does it? This 130 minute movie is so cleverly presented dare I say that the brain trusts at Warner Brothers may well be able to continue this franchise, albeit in a slightly different form. Director David Yates (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) is blessed, yes blessed, with a brilliant script written by Steve Kloves based on the novel by Ms. Rowling.
Everything comes to a rousing finale in this movie. Fans of the series, who know it better than me, will be in seventh heaven as Harry and co. battle all sorts of evil magic in this fantasy that’s driven by sheer creativity and phenomenal imagination. During this outing Harry Potter and his sidekicks Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley again face untold evil. Once more Daniel Radcliffe (The Tailor of Panama), Emma Watson (Nanny McPhee) and Rupert Grint give it their all to rule the day. As can be expected, Watson and Grint have not too much to do in this outing as Harry Potter is centre stage, and rightly so.
Final Showdown Between Harry and Lord Valdermort a Screen Classic
Now it’s do or die time for Harry as an evil force is out to get him. Main villain Lord Valdermort really has it in for Harry and his grotesque, ghost-like face proves downright scary. Top thespian Ralph Fiennes (Schindler’s List) who’s currently filming the next James Bond movie, is at his villainess best as the never say die evil wizard who’s black magic abilities are second to none. Aided and abetted by an army of tens of thousands it looks like Harry and his supporters have finally met their match.
Rousing battles, ingenious magical moments and a story that truly comes full circle makes this new Harry Potter movie one of the best, if not the best, of the entire series. Superior special effects simply astound audiences as the action here never lets up. Yes, the pacing is relentless with nary a slow moment. Instead the smart script takes us deep inside the roots of poor Harry’s dilemma and convincingly shows us how he must use sound reasoning and a little luck to get out of countless jams.
Good For Nothing Alan Rickman at his Delicious Best as Conniving Hogwarts Professor
Dangerous monsters, close calls and unbelievable traps make this movie one continuous joy ride. Quips from Harry are hilarious and he has the audience with him all the way. Big name stars from previous films also get in on the fun and merry hijinks including Alan Rickman (Die Hard) who’s as good as gold as Severus Snape.
A sense of real danger permeates this movie and some of the action scenes are a touch violent so parents should warn the little ones. Teens and older children will have no trouble whatsoever with this PG-13 rated movie and they will simply adore this movie which is also available in 3-D. Unlike some other 3-D movies the three dimensional effects here aren’t that pronounced and don’t really justify the hype surrounding this cinematic process. You don’t need to see this film in 3-D to enjoy the special effects which are simply mesmerizing.
Expect huge line-ups for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, a beautifully shot exciting movie that fans of the series will hold dear to their hearts. Farewell, old friend – but I have a funny suspicions the Hogwarts franchise will return in some new form with new adventures and maybe even some new characters. To be continued.
Robert Waldman - Hi. I'm a film critic from Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, considered to be the number one city in the world and third largest film ...
