Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II

The much awaited end of the Harry Potter movies is finally here. Been an avid fan since the very beginning of the series of novel, this final installation brought a bitter sweet feeling. Although this is it; where Harry defeats Voldermort; where good finally triumphs over evil; where Snape’s true loyalty is revealed BUT this is the movie that ends it all.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

*WARNING: The remaining part of this post may contains spoilers*

I’ve read the HP novels time and again. Whenever Warner Brothers released a HP movie, I would take out that collection of novels and start reading them all over; sort of an obsession. So, to ensure I get to watch the final movie once it is released, I bought tickets online for the earliest screening available near me; grab some good seats and waited to be transported into a magical world. What did I look forward to the most? The death of Snape and his past memories.

Finally, the review:

HP7 Part 2 (Normal Screen/2D):

Tickets to HP7 Part 2 on 13th July (9.l5 pm show)

This was the first time watching the movie. The plot was well developed and the movie continued from Part 1 rather well (though those who did not watch or had watched but forgotten the story would not have a clue of what is happening). There isn’t a link of what had previously happened in Part 1. Personally, I would think that some snippets of the core events in HP7 Part 1 be brought into the beginning of the movie. Nevertheless, the story developed well from Voldermort stealing the wand from Dumbledore’s grave and Harry with Ron and Hermione trying to break into Gringotts to retrieve something they believed to be a hocrux in Bellatrix’s vault.

It was quite interesting to watch how Hermione turned into Bellatrix and tried to get pass the goblins in Gringotts with the help of Griphook. The entire scene inside Gringotts from the roller coaster ride to the vault and their escape after being caught for attempting to steal was entertaining. The computer graphics was a job well done!

As compared to previous movies, HP7 Part 2 brings more light hearted scenes despite the dark times the characters are facing. Professor McGonagall pulled of her part really well and brought laughter into the air in such a tense situation.

Among all the characters, one that is definitely worth to mention was Professor Severus Snape. His mysterious acts since the Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone; confusing readers/viewers of where is real loyalty lies finally resolves. It was an epic ending for Snape with his past finally revealed (one of the parts that brought me to tears while reading the novel). Alan Rickman did an excellent job portraying Snape. He literally stole every minute of his screen time.

My favourite character throughout the entire HP series: Professor Severus Snape

Being the finale, the show was brilliantly done with the plot following closely that of the HP book. For the first time, the 7th installation (HP7 Part 1 and Part 2) was filmed without rushing through the storyline missing out all the important details. A movie definitely worth watching!

HP7 Part 2 (3D)

Four days later, I watched again with my cousin; this time in 3D. So here’s a little review about the 3D effects. Having read online that 200 scenes were filmed in 3D, I had a rather high expectation. Although not up to what I expected, the 3D effects were still quite brilliant. Quite worth the additional surcharge for 3D. 5 minutes into the movie, the 3D effects were quite impressive with the dementors surrounding Hogwarts made to feel as though they are flying beside your seats.

The 3D effects were very much on and off from time to time. Some of the entertaining 3D scenes are Harry, Hermione and Ron flying on the dragon to escape from Gringotts, when spells are cast to protect Hogwarts and when Voldermort shattered into pieces after his final duel with Harry when all the Hocruxes were destroyed.

Overall rating: 9/10

The show lacks of bits and pieces that holds the key to connecting the storyline and help those who do not read the book to grasp the story better.

3D Rating: 7/10

Approximately one-third of the show time had no 3D effects but it is still worth watching.