HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2
The final adventure in the Harry Potter film series follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they prepare for a final battle with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), who is determined to destroy Harry once and for all. In order to defeat the powerful wizard, they must find and destroy Voldemort's last and most elusive Horcrux -- that is, the enchanted piece of soul allowing him to remain immortal -- before his nefarious plans come to fruition. David Yates directs. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi
Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes
Release Date: Jul 15, 2011
Rated: Some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images
Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
Finishing a series a series I originally thought would end up like some kind of cinematic fad is a strange thing. I’m one of those folks that’s never read one chapter of the novels, never been a big fantasy fan in any medium, so I started the cinematic versions as a chore. The first few films I found light and mostly dismissible, I kept with it and slowly but surely the films and character matured. The films became more complete works as a cinematic experience even if some of the jargon still sounds like some alternate version of Star Trek tech speak. In all honesty, I became found of the characters but can’t say I ever adored them. Radcliffe’s Potter has all the calling cards of a typical hero’s journey and coming of age story. This finale completes both sides of these plot threads with wonderful vigor. Radcliffe brings earnestness to the character that just transcends the screen. His ability to ably display quiet strength and growing maturity is an underrated talent. It’s really something incredible to witness, with Radcliffe starting as a green child actor to an impressive performer who can carry the weight of this monolith sized story. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson each show similar growth and are able to reach a similar level of achievement, even if they do kind of fall into the background here more than in Part 1. The film is filled with character moments for series favorites some making sacrifices while other rise to surprising heights. Ralph Fiennes who’s held a restrained check on his character’s evilness is finally allowed to spread his wings and he does so with fantastic results. Director David Yates deserves an untold amount of credit as he’s steered the franchise for the better part of its trek. Here, Yates maintains a strong pace filled with impressively lavish and dour set pieces that impress throughout. He’s fine tuned everything by this point that’s it’s easy to enjoy and easier to overlook how incredibly difficult Yates job was. While I still felt like it might have help to have a scorecard to keep track of some of the secondary and third level characters are, it’s the kind of finale a franchise of this size deserves.
A-
I agree with everything you said.
ReplyDeleteA part of me is sad that the franchise is ended but there is a part of me that feels relieved too.
Daniel Radcliffe has the lead role in The Woman in Black so it will be interesting to see if he can remove himself from Harry Potter successfully (although I wish it wasn't with this film)
I'm kind of glad it's over mainly because I always felt like I was intruding in on everybody elses party. Radcliffe has shown me to be a capable actor, I think he'll be fine in The Woman in Black, the harder question is how hard it'll be to remove Potter from Radcliffe's face...
ReplyDeletelol - he might pull a Clark Kent and transform himself by simply removing his glasses.
ReplyDeleteI've been to see The Woman In Black being performed and loved it so fingers are well and truly crossed for the film
Never know, I'm sure he'll do well, think he's really got the chops.
ReplyDeleteRemoving Potter from Radcliffe's face - well, if his nude scenes in Equus can't wipe the glasses off, then nothing will.
ReplyDeleteBut I’m not worried about the big three from Potter as they are all young and wealthy. They can wait decades before starting a career and still be in their prime.
It won't be easy that for sure and to a certian extent he'll always have to carry it, he'll just need to make smart choices as well.
ReplyDelete