The question: Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II a conclusion worthy of the most successful film franchise in movie history? The answer: Hell yeah, it is!
SPOILER ALERT!
Part II picks up right where Part I leaves off -- Harry, Ron and Hermione, having been rescued from Malfoy Manor by Dobby, continue their quest to discover and destroy all of Voldemort's horcruxes. The search takes the trio to Gringott's Bank -- to Bellatrix Lestrange's vault -- and, eventually, to Hogwarts. This is where the action really picks up.
Shortly after Harry's return to Hogwarts, Voldemort and all of his forces arrive and vow to lay seige to the castle unless Harry is turned over to him. Rather than surrender, the professors and students -- under the leadership of Professor McGonagall -- take up the defense of Hogwarts while Harry searches the castle for the remaining horcruxes.
What happens next is one of the most epic battles in movie history. Thousands of Death Eaters, trolls and werewolves laying seige to Hogwarts is one of the coolest things I've ever seen, but the filmmakers have to be commended for focusing on Harry's quest to stop Voldemort instead of the battle. As much fun as the special-effects orgy was, it was better to maintain the heart of the story.
The whole series boils down to a final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort where *gasp* Harry defeats him once and for all. Big surprise there. But we don't watch Harry Potter to be surprised -- we've always known Harry was going to win. We watch the movies because it's about how he wins. It's always been about the journey, and let's be honest, it's been one helluva ride.
Deathly Hallows: Parts II hits a lot of great highs. Forget about Voldemort dying, Ron and Hermione finally kiss! Not only that, Neville Longbottom finally shows himself as a complete bad-ass; he's been leading the resistance inside Hogwarts since Harry's been away, and he kills Nagini! Plus, few moments were as satisfying as seeing Molly Weasley waste Bellatrix Lestrange.
The movie also provides plenty of emotion, particularly the reveal of Remus, Tonks and Fred's deaths -- though I think they could've spent a little more time with those moments.
The actors -- especially Radcliffe, Watson and Grint -- continue to demonstrate a maturity of talent beyond their years. I've no doubt we'll see bright post-Potter careers for all of them.
My only real question is: Will Part I and Part II work together as a single movie? Considering they took one story and turned it into two movies, it'll be interesting to see if the two movies will flow together as one story.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II is a fitting conclusion to the decade-long film franchise that has enchanted audiences around the world and changed movie history forever. Well done, Harry Potter. Well done.
9 of 10
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