This was a summer to remember in many ways. Hermione Granger married Ron Weasley. Neville Longbottom proved his worth. Draco Malfoy and his family walked away from evil. And Harry Potter finally defeated Lord Voldemort.
One of the most important events for Potterheads everywhere was the premiere of the eighth and final Harry Potter film. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 brought an end to an era, and it did so with a bang.
On July 15, lines formed outside theatres everywhere, costumes were brought out of closets, and ticket arrangements were frantically double checked. Potter fans prepared for the highly publicized premiere with as high expectations as ever, and perhaps more being that this was to be the end of a phenomenon. Nearly thirteen years of Pottermania hype had built up to this moment. And it certainly did not disappoint.
The Deathly Hallows, Part 2 is filled with action, from the trio’s flight on the back of a stolen dragon at the beginning to the final Battle of Hogwarts. Even the die hard fans with the most critical outlook on the movies knew deep down that they were excited to see the amazing magic of their imaginations come to life on the big screen, complete with amazingly seamless special effects like the bewitched army of statues and giants fighting against huge spiders. It’s worth noting that Part 2 provides a much needed energy boost from the more poignant, scene-setting Part 1.
Director David Yates, who has been a part of the Harry Potter series since its fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, really takes Hogwarts to a new level with this last film, redesigning the grounds of the beloved castle in an even more awe-inspiring way than they had looked in the past. In fact, the special effects in the grand finale are some of the best of the entire series, as a great majority of the film was shot on green screen.
But Yates does more than just make a pretty movie here; he also draws brilliant performances from not just his leading actors, but also from some of the supporting actors we’ve grown to love along the way. But as for Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint (who play Harry, Hermione, and Ron, respectively) they have shown perhaps the most growth of any child actors in the history of film over the course of the past decade. From the first film, where Radcliffe claims, “I think there is this perception that we got the parts because we looked right… Acting is something that I don’t necessarily think comes naturally to me,” to this one, where the three main actors provide some of the most emotional performances of the year, it’s safe to say that the group has learned a thing or two over their time at Hogwarts.
One of the things Steve Kloves, the scriptwriter, really did well with this film, more so than with any other, was to write really meaningful send offs for some of our other beloved characters, among them Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom (played by Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis). However, at the same time, it must be acknowledged that the movie does fall short of expectations in its portrayal of two majorly anticipated scenes: the deaths of both Fred Weasley and Bellatrix Lestrange.
One thing that must be done, in any review of this film, however, is to compliment the acting of veteran British actors Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman (Minerva McGonagall, Lestrange, and Severus Snape), who shine more than ever in this film, and whose abilities should seriously be considered for Oscars come next February. Smith gave perhaps our favorite performance in the film, portraying a more raw McGonagall than in the previous films. At the same time, Bonham Carter was spot on in her now famous “playing Hermione playing herself” scene, as well as towards the film’s climax. But perhaps most acclaimed is Rickman, for his interpretation of the finally emotionally vulnerable Snape, who the audience really gets to know in this movie.
After all is said and done, this final film of the saga is bittersweet to say the least. Of course there is excitement, because this story is the one where everything comes together. However, on the other hand, there are seven books, eight movies and one ending. The close of the film brings a deep sense of finality. Even though viewers are blown away by such a spectacular movie, they can’t help but remember that this is it.
Or is it? J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved series and inventor of this magical world, has more up her sleeve. She is as devoted to the world of Harry Potter as her fans, if not much, much more, and she wants to keep the magic alive. One example of this is Pottermore, an interactive website where fans can read new story lines and become part of the wizarding world. She has already opened it up to one million Beta testers, and Pottermore will open to the public in October. There is also the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a park in Universal Studios Orlando, where people can see the books truly brought to life.
Harry Potter has touched the lives of an unfathomable amount of people, so don’t worry about Harry and his friends at Hogwarts going anywhere. Perhaps Emma Watson said it best: “I feel like when this is over, our friendship will have a new importance for the three of us because I think that when it’s over, we’ll need each other more than we do even now.” Harry Potter fans must now come together, like Harry, Ron and Hermione, and be patient until J.K. Rowling lets us into her head next.
“Mischief Managed!”
