Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

****
Dir. David Yates

This franchise, like many others, has had its ups and downs. Goblet of Fire was unwatchable, and 5 and 6 were filled with disappointments as well. However, I'm glad that the series came to an admirable conclusion and was fitting for fans of the books and movies alike.

Picking up right where Part 1 left off, this film chronicles the final battle between Harry and Voldemort for the Wizard World. Seeking to locate the last of the Horcruxes, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) must return to Hogwarts which is now under the control of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). As he embarks upon this quest, the origins of the young sorcerer are fully revealed; and fate will come to determine the boy's destiny. With stirring visual effects and a good amount of emotional depth, this is hands down the best of the epic saga.

Yates is a superb visual storyteller, and his direction provides the basis for the gritty feel of this film. Drawing on elements of classic horror, he immerses audiences in the shadowy atmosphere of this universe. By juxtaposing images from previous films with that of the bleak reign of the Dark Lord, significant contradictions are made so as to emphasize the now distorted reality.

The script is for the most part a strict adaptation of the second half of the novel. While it contains some corny dialogue here and there (not as bad as previous installments), it captures the vision of J.K. Rowling in an effective manner. Snape's death scene was for me the most compelling, as it gave Alan Rickman the opportunity to give a really emotionally gripping performance.

Looking at the battle scenes, Yates did an effective job of making it graphic enough but not overly so. There are bloody images to enhance the eery tone of the story, much different from how the series began. Voldemort was done justice here, as Fiennes' acting complimented the vision of Yates so as to present the character as the manifestation of terror.

As far as the rest of the cast, they came together to really demonstrate solid ensemble work. Radcliffe was never great, but decent enough to where he could express the internal conflicts of the character. The best acting was of course done by the other British actors in their supporting roles. As mentioned above, Rickman embodied Snape's tormented spirit even more powerfully than in the past. Then there's Dumbledore, Lupin, and a host of others who are brought to life beautifully.

Harry Potter swept across the globe from its beginning as a literary phenomenon, and will continue to have a long lasting impact no doubt. While the film adaptations have been mixed with successes and failures, the series went out with an artistic film that will penetrate the hearts of fans everywhere. Good work Yates.