Movie #268 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 *2011*

If you remember my blog about the past Harry Potter movie you will know that I was not impressed.  I thought that the movie was trying to appeal to the Twilight crowd too much and they lost the story of Potter in the process.  Therefore I was not totally sold on going to go see the final installment in the Potter franchise.  I was expecting more of the same.  Man was I wrong again. 

The final book in the Potter series was split into two movies.  When I first heard that I remember thinking that it was a total cash grab by WB to milk the fans of the books out of another $10 each.  Then people I know who said that the final book contained so much that it warranted a second movie may have swayed my opinion a little.  The Part 1 came out and I then, and still now, believe that I was right.  I think people (even kids) would sit though 1 4 hour movie if it took all of Part 2 and the best scenes from Part 1.  But I digress.

Part 2 starts off gunning from the first frame.  Where the last movie felt like the Zelda video game to me, as Harry had to collect gems in order to open a door then swing a wand to make something happen and so on, this film is a story in to its self.  It has a full arc for the characters. I would say that you could go to this film with no knowledge of any prior material, books or movies, and keep up with the what is going on for the most part.  If nothing else I will guarantee that you will be entertained.

In a way this movie is frustrating in that it is so good and so complete.  It makes me think that this type of movie exists in the books and I am disappointed that only a few times in the series do I feel like that was presented on screen.

I won't even bother to go into a plot synopsis.  Harry has to fight Voldemort.  That is all you really need to know.  This truly is epic.  It is easily the most epic of anything I have seen in theaters for the past few years.  The stakes couldn't be any higher and that is expressed through action and not through dialogue.  There is a real sense of impending doom.

Then there are all the side characters.  Many of whom have brought the momentum down in the past movies.  Weather by script or performance.  All of them shine here.  They all have small roles and short screen times, but they all serve a purpose and they all drive the story forward.  I like Luna quite a bit.  I LOVE Serious Black and I hated to see him go, but it is a nice cameo from beyond the grave in this movie.  Nevel is given a much meatier role and he makes the most of it.  Ron was still a bit of a wet blanket for me, but Hermoine was wonderful.  Their romance seemed a little wedged in, but not out of place when you consider it is a teenage love affair.  I really can't say enough about the cast of this film.

If I can't say enough about the cast then I really won't be able to say enough about the screenplay.  Of course I have never read the books, but I will take the words of those close to me and believe that the writers had great source material to work with.  There is barely a wasted word in this movie.  Every single exchange comments on the last, makes a declaration and introduces the next.  Again, I only wish the other films would have taken this approach instead of sort of waiting around for something interesting to happen.

The visual in this film are great as well.  The only thing that fell with a thud for me was the schools stone protectors.  I think they lacked detail and it made them look like overstuffed gingerbread men.  Out side of that it is easily the best overall Potter film as far as CGI goes and 2nd only Askaban for overall cinematography. 

As I left the theater (with 4 tween girls in toe) I felt like this could be the best Harry Potter movie yet.  Now I want to watch them all again just to be sure.  Anyway I give Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ★★★★.