Just how do you review the final film in an eight-part series that has enthralled movie-goers for a decade? Seven best-selling books, eight films.
But not just any best-selling books – with fans queuing all night to get hold of a copy of the latest edition and adventure of the bespectacled schoolboy and his school friends, Harry Potter is a publishing phenomenon.
And whilst there has been inevitable criticism levelled at the film adaptations (page to screen rarely pleases diehard fans), audiences have flocked to see Harry, Hermione and Ron outmanoeuvre evil in the form of the powerful wizard, Voldemort, and his loyal followers.
So what of the final film in the franchise?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
The decision to split the seventh and final book into two parts was controversial, but at more than 600 pages a single screen adaptation would have been little more than cursory. As a result Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II is little more than the final battle and the destruction of Hogwarts school.
True, the final Horcruxes must be found and destroyed to weaken Voldemort, continuing the quest of the first part of the book. But, by dividing the story into two parts, the psychological impact of the Horcruxes on the three friends, dramatically so well explored in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I, is lost.
Instead, the narrative is driven towards its inevitable conclusion, with Hermione, Ron and many beloved characters somewhat sidelined in the final scenes. The showdown is ultimately between Harry and Voldemort and, whilst the battles in and around Hogwarts are impressive and at times exciting, it ultimately fails to deliver the anticipated crescendo.
But in real terms, it’s a minor caveat. The reality is that the final scenes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II should be seen as the end of the seven preceding films as well as the 2 hours since the opening credits.
Snape is finally vindicated and the trust Dumbledore placed in him fully revealed to us and, more importantly, Harry. Neville Longbottom, so long the butt of pranks but a loyal friend to Harry, finally excels in the killing of Nagini and, a personal favourite, Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) shows her true colours publicly.
Potter himself comes back from the dead, dispensing the elder wand to the winds and even the beloved Dumbledore makes a brief return.
In adapting the books for the screen, many events and characters were jettisoned in favour of moving the plot forward. Personally, I would have been happy to have that be true of the very final ’19 years later’ scene.
Admittedly, the series needed to tie all loose ends. But the cameras pulling slowly away from the Gryffindor trio with the ruins of Hogwarts as a backdrop was the perfect conclusion. The friends as adults were not wholly convincing. And, indescribably and unforgivably, in the very final shot, Ron was out of focus.
Farewell Harry Potter
After 10 years of film and 14 years of books, a Muggle-world now beckons for all: cast, crew and audience. It’s been an incredibly journey for all, and whilst the films generally failed to capture the magic of the novels, they nevertheless rightfully retained loyalty. If nothing else, the Harry Potter franchise highlighted the value and importance of good storytelling.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
- Directed by David Yates (Harry Potter films: Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows I & II)
- Written by Steve Kloves (all Harry Potter films except Order of the Phoenix, The Fabulous Baker Boys)
- Produced by David Barron (Harry Potter films: Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows I & II), David Heyman (all 8 Harry Potter films, Yes Man), J.K.Rowling (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I & II)
- Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint (all 8 Harry Potter films)
Keith Lawrence - Published writer of articles in magazines, newspapers and websites, predominantly on culture, alongside ghostwriter/editor/copywriter.
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