Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2-Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

Directed by: David Yates | 130 minutes | adventure, drama, fantasy | Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Nighy, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Jamie Campbell Bower, Maggie Smith, Jason Isaacs, John Hurt, Miranda Richardson, Evanna Lynch, Rhys Ifans, David Thewlis, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, Timothy Spall, Clémence Poésy, Warwick Davis, Helen McCrory, Julie Walters, Toby Regbo, Imelda Staunton, Dave Legeno, David O’Hara, Rade Serbedzija, Stanislav Ianevski, Natalia Tena, James Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Domhnall Gleeson, Oliver Phelps, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Michelle Fairley, Nick Moran, Harry Melling, Sophie Thompson, Mark Williams, Chris Rankin, David Bradley, Jon Campling, Andy Linden, Paul Khanna, Carolyn Pickles, Matyelok Gibbs

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint. Without the hugely popular film series based around the sorcerer’s apprentice Harry Potter, created by JK Rowling, we might never have known who they were. In 2000, the trio were chosen from thousands of other hopeful children to star in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film. They were still very young, they still had to get the first pimples. In the decade that followed, millions of movie buffs around the world watched the three grow up, from teenagers to young adults. An entire generation grew up with them. Because even though Harry, Hermione and Ron live in a completely different, magical world, they are just young people with their own insecurities and problems. Ten years and eight films later, it’s time to say goodbye to the illustrious trio. ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ (2011) is unfortunately the final installment in the most lucrative film series ever (its seven predecessors grossed more than six billion dollars), a film that many have been anxiously waiting for. As expected, this thunderous final chord culminates in an ultimate showdown between Harry and his nemesis, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).

“Part 2” picks up where “Part 1” left off. Literal. Because just as its predecessor actually had no real ending, this last Potter film actually has no beginning. The action unfolds right from the start. We get another glimpse of what happened at the end of ‘Part 1’, but then hook up right away. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen that movie, you might run into some startup problems. Certainly because the speed is right away, it can take a while before you are completely ‘up to date’ again. Even before the film has even started, we see Voldemort waving ominously with the Elder Wand, the precious jewel he acquired at the end of the previous part. It’s up to Harry to get it back, as the Elder Wand only amplifies the Dark Lord’s power. But first, along with Ron and Hermione, he must track down the remaining horcruxes (magical objects containing a portion of Voldemort’s soul). The trail leads to Gringott’s Bank, where the kobolt Griphook (Warwick Davis) reluctantly leads them. After a crazy ride, they end up in the safe of Bellatrix LeStrange (Helena Bonham-Carter), where a horcrux is said to be hidden. Already in these first scenes it is noticeable that action predominates in this eighth Potter film, in contrast to the somewhat static seventh part.

The trio return to Hogwarts – the wizarding school we sadly missed in the previous installment – ​​where Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) is now headmaster. He has turned the school guarded by Deatheaters into a grim penal camp. The school is cold, gray and more menacing than ever. As Harry and his friends search for the last horcruxes, Voldemort and his dark army approach the school. Harry discovers more and more about his past, that of his parents and others close to him, and his mind becomes more and more entwined with Voldemort’s. The ultimate battle between good and evil is approaching its denouement. Fortunately, Harry’s old classmates and friends are on hand to assist him. Shining roles include Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and Ron’s mother Molly Weasley (Julie Walters), who can show herself from a completely different side. As mentioned, this latest Potter film is darker than ever – there are even deaths. It hurts to see Hogwarts, where we all wish we were in school, crumbling, collapsing and being (partially) destroyed. Virtually all the actors who have appeared in previous films show up to save their beloved Hogwarts from destruction and to help Harry overcome evil.

‘The Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ is the best Potter film directed by David Yates. The Brit, responsible for the last four films, finally seems to have found enough confidence to make his own film. He is supported by the great cameraman Eduardo Serra, who especially knows how to beautifully portray the demise of Hogwarts. Composer Alexandre Desplat is also in top form. The great man behind the Potter series, however, remains screenwriter Steve Kloves, who wrote seven of the eight scripts (he left only ‘Order of the Phoenix’ (2007) to someone else) and almost always did so with verve. Of course, there was some criticism when it was decided to split ‘The Deathly Hallows’ into two parts – and both films could well have been merged into one three-hour finale – but the skilful way he works towards the end is very clever.

For the loyal viewer it is nice that the story is also ‘circulated’ – things from the very first film, such as the Sorting Hat, reappear here. Characters from the very beginning also make an appearance – great for fans of the crème de la crème of British film. In addition to a good dose of action and spectacle, this latest Potter film also brings a lot of emotions to the loyal viewer. Anyone who has read the books knows of course what is going on. One character turns out to be involved in a very different way than we always thought. When Harry finds out about this, and when he learns about his own fate, we are heartbroken. And even though Daniel Radcliffe is not the best actor, he still knows how to display these emotions very well. Opinions were very divided about the very last scene in the book. The film has the same epilogue. Unnecessary? Perhaps, although the scene is important for the completion of the whole. But Kloves and Yates do remain faithful to the book and that has not always been so obvious in the past ten years.

The ‘Harry Potter’ series closes in style, with a film that hits like a bomb. The 130 minutes (this is one of the shortest episodes in the Potter saga) fly by. ‘The Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ is the only Potter film shot in 3D, but that third dimension – apart from the necessary depth – hardly adds anything. This part may not be the best film in the series (that honor is still reserved for the Alfonso Cuáron-directed third part, ‘The Prisoner of Azkaban’ from 2004), but it is certainly a close second. It is clear to see that everyone involved in this project went the extra mile to make this final piece an unforgettable spectacle and they certainly succeeded. ‘The Deathly Hallows – Part 2’ is exciting, compelling and moving. A more than worthy end to a memorable film series!