How do you sum-up a saga that began with a book published back in 1997, and ended with its last adaptation this year? The truth is, you can do so in many ways. The Harry Potter series has established itself in a special place in the hearts of millions of avid readers and moviegoers, that they all probably have differing opinions on how this unparalleled adventure has resonated with them. Although we completed Harry's journey with him in the literary world four years ago, it was still comforting to think that there were still the last few films to look forward to. Now, author J.K. Rowling's famous wizard has ended his run on the big screen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the grand finale to the epic of The Boy Who Lived. This is the experience that fans have been waiting for. Despite our reluctance to watch the final installment because of the bittersweetness, we've stuck with Harry through everything, and his last stand against evil does not deserve to be missed.
While still being on the run from Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) army, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their search for the rest of the dark lord's Horcruxes, which are pieces of his soul embedded in objects of significance to him. If they can destroy them all, then they will be able to defeat him. Their seach will eventually bring them back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Harry must help in the effort to fend off Voldemort and his followers, and finally come face to face with the wizard who has wanted him dead from the very beginning.
It's a cinematic marvel of how we've watched these once-child actors grow up throughout eight films. They've gone through the awkward stages of being teenagers and into the beginnings of accepting huge responsibilities as young adults, something that all viewers can relate to in some way. Harry, who we first witnessed as a young boy who was forced to sleep in a cupboard by his wicked aunt and uncle, has fully grown into a person who is ready to thrust himself into battle in order to save the people he loves. Radcliffe has fully matured along with his character into a confident individual. Whatever roles he pursues after this, I have complete faith in him. The same can be said wholeheartedly for Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
Even amidst the battle scenes, there is some astonishing character development. Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) has his secrets and true motives revealed in a flashback sequence that's as gripping as it is heartrending. Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) has transformed from a timid young student into a sword-wielding warrior. Teachers and pupils who were first in classrooms filled with whimsical magic are now involved in combat on the castle grounds. In the end, there are sacrifices made by many.
As appropriate for the final film, it has the most visual extravagance of any of the other Harry Potter's. Harry and his friends' break-in at Gringotts bank in the first half hour was a clear indication that this final installment would begin and end with a bang. Watching Harry, Ron and Hermione escape the bank on a majestic fire-breathing dragon brought me back to the first entries of the saga where I first gazed upon giant monsters such as Fluffy the three-headed dog and the Basilisk. The battle of Hogwarts displays how far computer-generated effects have come since the beginning when the film version of The Sorcerer's Stone was released in 2001. The final clash of good and evil is as climactic and hold-your-breath exciting as anyone could have asked for.
Director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves provided a respectable treatment to the source material, and made Part 2 as true to the book as Part 1. By splitting the last book into two movies, the filmmakers took into consideration the love and devotion of the fans for the series, as well as the need to tell the conclusion in its entirety and tie up all the loose ends. It's rare that a film series has successfully kept and grew its audience throughout the time that it took to be completed, which was ten years in this case. With The Deathly Hallows - Part 2 finished, Harry Potter is definitely as much a motion picture achievement as it is a literary one. It is an enthralling and timeless story worthy of decades of new fans. It's hard to believe that this all started with a book, but it happened. Thank you, Harry, for sharing the quest.
Final grade: A
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