I was 7 years old when the first Harry Potter film hits theaters back in 2001, but the images still hang clearly within my brain. Although it was a kids film, directed by Chris Columbus, the same director that brought us family films like Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, it was a pretty big movie release and still to this day remains one of the highest grossing motion pictures of the decade.As a matter of fact, all the Harry Potter films lie on the list of highest grossing movies, the first film gaining an estimated $974,733,550 worldwide, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 coming in at a close one with $954,501,070 worldwide. Gee, imagine all the things I could do with that money, I could surely get through college with that kind of moolah! But the magical, captivating Harry Potter film series that has touched the lives of millions, billions, has come to it's closure, and to be quite honest with you, I'm a tad bit down in the dumps. I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, I never really was, I was much more intrigued by the universe of Lord of the Rings and of course Star Wars, but I hold a very special place for the lightning bolt headed wizard and the world he has put before us, the films and even the books having some of the most complex, yet brilliant stories ever told. The concept of the Deathly Hallows and the Elder Wand are my personal favorites because they remind me so much of the things I saw in Star Wars and Lord of the Rings and even mirrors some of the material covered in Greek, Roman and Norse mythology. And like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, they have somewhat created a mythology all of there own, with creatures beyond your wildest dreams and characters we can grow to love, for they have many interesting abilities and characteristics and have some very risky, yet resourceful ways of taking out an enemy or getting out of a fight.
I always liked to compare Harry Potter to Frodo or Luke Skywalker, and am I the only one that looks at Dobby and sees the Gollem and Yoda? He may not be green or chant "My precious" over and over again, but he surely is wise and believes in himself, particularly in Deathly Hallows Part 1 when he rescues Harry and the others from the Malfoy household, unfortunately loosing his life in the process. But the two characters I like to compare the most are Lord Voldemort and Emperor Palpatine. They are two heartless, merciless souls out for domination, stopping at nothing to make sure they get what the want and that their enemies, the good guys are dealt with, thrown out of the picture, so they can continue with their evil tyranny and make the world, the galaxy a miserable place. The tale of Harry Potter, like many tales before it, is an unforgettable story of good vs. evil, the main character growing stronger and stronger throughout their journey and eventually gaining enough ability to overpower their enemy and restore order to his or her surroundings. Like Luke Skywalker and Frodo, Harry Potter is able to overcome evil, do the ultimate task that no one has ever done beforehand and make the ultimate sacrifices, loosing loved ones, friends, a beloved pet along the path. It's heartbreaking and epic and it's far beyond any opera I have ever seen before, the characters, the settings, THE MAGIC, all feeling symbolic, having a meaning and a purpose for being there. The main theme of the series, in JK Rowling's eyes is death, Harry learning to cope with the matter and move on with his adventurous life, for he has experienced so much bloodshed, murder, and deception in his youth, and that can have a critical effect on a character's growth and development.
I always liked to compare Harry Potter to Frodo or Luke Skywalker, and am I the only one that looks at Dobby and sees the Gollem and Yoda? He may not be green or chant "My precious" over and over again, but he surely is wise and believes in himself, particularly in Deathly Hallows Part 1 when he rescues Harry and the others from the Malfoy household, unfortunately loosing his life in the process. But the two characters I like to compare the most are Lord Voldemort and Emperor Palpatine. They are two heartless, merciless souls out for domination, stopping at nothing to make sure they get what the want and that their enemies, the good guys are dealt with, thrown out of the picture, so they can continue with their evil tyranny and make the world, the galaxy a miserable place. The tale of Harry Potter, like many tales before it, is an unforgettable story of good vs. evil, the main character growing stronger and stronger throughout their journey and eventually gaining enough ability to overpower their enemy and restore order to his or her surroundings. Like Luke Skywalker and Frodo, Harry Potter is able to overcome evil, do the ultimate task that no one has ever done beforehand and make the ultimate sacrifices, loosing loved ones, friends, a beloved pet along the path. It's heartbreaking and epic and it's far beyond any opera I have ever seen before, the characters, the settings, THE MAGIC, all feeling symbolic, having a meaning and a purpose for being there. The main theme of the series, in JK Rowling's eyes is death, Harry learning to cope with the matter and move on with his adventurous life, for he has experienced so much bloodshed, murder, and deception in his youth, and that can have a critical effect on a character's growth and development.
So yeh, as you would have noticed, Harry Potter has left somewhat of an impact on me, for it was very different, very unique, very, shall we say OUT OF THIS WORLD and displayed a common story thread within a different shell. With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the Harry Potter cinematic story comes full circle, all the loose ends are finally tied up, and the power of good and hardship is able to spark once more. This is the best of the series, and for so many reasons. I feel like I can't establish all the good things about this film in one sitting, but like many things I do, I will surely put my best foot forward and do my best to keep this all in one piece. Deathly Hallows Part 2 is like the feature presentation of the Harry Potter saga, the previous films like the previews shown before a film in the theater. Like Return of the King, it is the moment we all have been waiting for, the final battle, the big kahuna, the epic, epic showdown between all that is good and all that is not so good. For the last film of the series, they don't fool around, they throw as much out there as possible. There's gore, blood, violent death scenes, betrayal, silvery flashbacks that make you choke up, light humor, CGI flight sequences, giant trolls with bats, knights in shining armor, ghosts that scream which I found kinda freaky, smooching, Helena Bonham Carter exploding, and Ralph Fiennes screaming nonstop. Why? Because he's the bad guy and bad guys love their screaming. Deathly Hallows Part 2 might very well be the greatest conclusion to any film series I have ever seen, even greater than Return of the Jedi, although Return of the Jedi was a pretty jarring conclusion to the Star Wars saga in it's own right. Ewoks anybody?
Like all the other Potter flicks, the acting of this film is pretty top notch, although I found the screaming ghost I mentioned earlier to be a bit disturbing. The three main actors of the film, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have done a fantastic job embodying the characters of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger not only in this film, but the entire Harry Potter film series as a whole. 100 years from now, they will still be know for the characters they have played in the film series, Radcliffe especially, for I couldn't picture anybody else portraying the Boy Who Lived as well as he did. He surely has the personality, the posture and the overall zest of Harry Potter, Radcliffe representing what Harry Potter would be like if he actually existed in our world. Grint and Watson are awesome as well, and I think it was quite interesting seeing their chemistry throughout all eight films leading up to their big wet one, and I MEAN wet one within the Chamber of Secrets in this film. All three of these fine actors have grown up to become bright, intelligent, intellectuals, ready to explore the world and move on to other things beside Potter, and seeing them in the very first Potter flick, you can really see how far they have come throughout the decade, going from cute little kiddies with wondering eyes to brave, gallant, prominent young adults that are ready to take on things bigger than themselves. They really are the dynamic trio of the series and further go on to symbolize friendship and working together, even when one gets jealous of another. But the actor that steals the show, well at least in my opinion, is, ready for this, Warwick Davis. Yeh, I thought this was one of Davis' best roles, up there with his portrayal of Willow Ufgood, Professor Flitwick, even Wicket the Ewok. But if there is one character of Davis' that I like to compare Griphook the Goblin to, it's Leprechaun from the cheesy, critically panned Leprechaun movies. Griphook has the Leprechaun's mannerisms, his voice, he even has those sharp teeth the Leprechaun is infamously known for, and the fact that Griphook is cunning and ruthless makes him parallel the Leprechaun in many ways. He was willing to do anything to get to the sword, the sword that Harry and the others were using to eliminate the Horcruxes, the keys to Voldemort's immortality, and didn't care if Harry and the others died in the process, leaving them in a bank vault overcrowding with multiplying silver and gold. And Davis portrays Griphook's villainy quite chillingly, quite menacingly, even giving off an evil smile once in a while and making Griphook seem in many ways, psychotic. What would have made it better is if Davis said "I WANT ME SWORD!" in a similar way the Leprechaun says "I WANT ME GOLD!". That certainly would have been my pot of gold! Warwick is one of my all time favorites, and seeing him in these Harry Potter films as humorous yet compelling characters really makes me jump with glee.
Another actor that gives it all his best is Allen Rickman. Those who have not read the Potter books might be a bit stunned to learn some shocking things about Severus Snape in this film, some shockingly GOOD things if you know what I mean. Rickman, who is already a fine devoted actor, starring as Hans Gruber in Die Hard and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, really makes the character of Snape a sympathetic character, a character the audience can feel sorry for. We can really feel his struggle in the flashback scenes, seeing his rough childhood and love for Harry's mother, Lily Potter, and we see that Snape really did care for Harry, even though he was a callous, bitter potions professor to Harry and many other students. He, along with Dumbledore, did everything in there power to make sure Harry was safe and secure and shielded from the Dark Lord's tyranny, and Snape did this because he loved Harry's mother, and was trying to honor her memory. Rickman hits the nail on the head, really conquering the role of Severus Snape, making him a tragic figure, a person who was constantly made to look like a villain, but he was really a good guy trying to overcome evil just like Harry was. Rickman makes the character of Snape an individual of several emotions, not just bitterness and hate for the world, but sadness, worry, and grief, regretting several things he has done in his life and doing everything in his power to make up for them. We can now be attached to Snape and his struggle, for it is so real, so very saddening, so very tearful, however it's good to know that the character didn't ultimately die in vain, he died for something instead of nothing at all.
If I had to some up this movie in one word, it would be epic. From beginning to end, this movie screams epicness not only to me, but everybody else who has grown attached to this series throughout the years. Like Return of the King's climax, this film has an epic showdown between good wizards and bad wizards on the very grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the place we have seen Harry grow up at and learn his magic from throughout the previous films. And don't think this is just some cheesy sci-fi battle with people just dropping dead for no apparent reason at all, no this is an extremely violent, life-threatening fight with fire, debris and rubble flying all over the place, harming and even killing some of our favorite characters in the most gruesome, bloody ways. I was deeply saddened to see one of the Weasley twins kick the bucket, although I am aware that occurs in the book, and the characters of Lupin and Tonks also perish in the battle, the two giving birth to a child shortly before their death and making Harry the Godfather. Even Neville Longbottom is grievously injured in the battle, however, he gets several triumphant moments in the film, actually standing up against Lord Voldemort and killing his pet snake Nagini, with the Sword of Gryffindor, the sword only appearing to a true Gryffindor, which Neville has surely become over the course of the films. He went from a timid, cowardly child to a gallant fighter and brave man, proving to Voldemort that anyone can take him out, even someone that's not as powerful as he is, because they have heart, they can form bonds with one another, something Voldemort could never do nor care about because he was too wrapped up in his own obsessions and delusions. He ultimately gets it at the end in a quite satisfying final duel between Harry and himself. After Voldemort attempts to kill Harry, Harry is taken to the bridge between life and death where he meets the spirit of his mentor, Albus Dumbledore, as well as the form Voldemort will take after his death. Talking with his headmaster for a while, Harry is able to come back to life and Voldemort actually chases him through the broken castle, the two duking it out at the top of a bell tower as Voldemort actually starts beating up Harry and strangling him with his robe. Than Harry says enough's enough and actually takes Voldemort by the neck, hurling him off the side of the tower as Harry and Voldemort go soaring across the shattered Hogwarts palace, Harry actually slashing Voldemort across the face as the two come tumbling to the surface of the Hogwarts courtyard.
Than comes the moment I'm sure all you Potter fans have been waiting for. Harry and Voldemort grabs their respective wands. Voldemort casts Avada Kadavra, Harry Expelliarmus. In a clash of red and green light, the spells cause serious damage to the surrounding area, as Neville finishes the last horcrux, the snake Nagini. Voldemort, realizing what has happened, stops and loathes, just before unleashing yet another blast of Death Spell at Harry, Harry casting his trademark spell to protect himself. But because Harry is the master of Voldemort's wand, the Elder Wand, the wand refuses to kill him, sending the Death Spell right back at Voldemort, the Dark Lord stuck with pain and inner torture just before fading away into a cloud of dust in the skies above. The ending of the film is bittersweet as many people have put it, emotional to many Potter purists but still very satisfying to a common movie goer like myself, who has seen the first film when it first came out back in 2001, ten years ago. Hearing John Williams' fantastic score once more really sent a flutter to my heart, as we see Harry, Ron and Hermione send their children off to Hogwarts for the first time. Harry's son, Albus Severus is afraid he will get sorting into Slytherin, just as Harry was when he arrived at Hogwarts in the first film. Harry tells his son that he was named for two headmasters of Hogwarts, one of them was a Slytherin and he was the bravest man I ever knew. Of course we all know who Harry is talking about, and we can go to our graves knowing that both the movie and the book ended on such a triumphant note, Harry realizing that his years at Hogwarts wouldn't have been any different if he was sorted into Slytherin, and that his son would make a fine Slytherin if he was sorted into that house. However, as a homage to the first film, Harry tells his son that if it means that much to him, he can always tell the Sorting Hat what house he wants to be sorted into, for the hat takes his choice into account. So his children get onto the Hogwarts Express, and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny look on as the train rolls by, their children waving to them just as Harry waved to Hagrid in the first film, as Harry knows that everything will be just fine, everything has been restored to it's original mode, everything is at peace. And he never ever, ever, ever has to worry about Voldemort for the rest of his days, for the power of love and friendship blows Voldemort out of the water any day.
What a treat this movie was. Like I said, it was probably the best "wrap up" to any movie series I have ever seen, and closed out the motion picture series that has captivated a generation. Goodbye childhood a lot of people are saying, people who have grown attached to these films throughout the years, people who have seen these movies the whole way through, growing attached to the characters and the Wizarding World in general. There is no question in my mind that these films will still be beloved by our children and our children's children for many years to come, and that the films will capture their minds just as they did ours, taking us to a far away land where just about anything is possible. There are three headed dogs, giant snakes, giant spiders, killer trees, every flavored jellybeans and a boy wizard with a lighting bolt on his head that is looking forward to an adventure beyond his wildest dreams. The entire Harry Potter film series is full of adventure, enthusiasm, comedy, and excitement to last 10,000 years....or more. It surely is the next Star Wars, a series with a complex mythology and a passionate look at character development, but the Harry Potter series is a series we can remember as the big thing of our time. When we are old, old, old crones in wheelchairs 150 years from now, we can think back at Harry Potter and remember how phenomenal it was, how big the premieres for each film were, and how crazy people were to get themselves some Potter, because Potter is awesome. I'm not the biggest fan, I'm not even at the level of a big fan, but I still appreciate these films, I still enjoy watching them, and every time I watch them, I see things I didn't see the first time, things that make we say to myself "HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT!" Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is surely the Potter film I will watch more than the others, because it's just that darn good, and probably the best film of the entire summer. X-Men: First Class, eat your heart out, because this my friends is where it is at.This is what true blockbuster films are made of. Pure, hardcore action, excitement and wonder all rolled into one finished cookie.
Thank you Harry, for an unforgettable ride of enchantment and exhilaration. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD! I will never forget it, not even when another blockbuster series comes along to take the spotlight! Thank you Harry, thank all of you who worked on this powerful film series for taking me, taking a lot of us to the Wizarding World and the castle of Hogwarts, places like no other! Not even Castle Grayskull can keep up with the mystical wonders and enchanted occurances of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
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