Here, we see Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) setting out to destroy the remaining Horcruxes and foiling Voldemort`s (played by Ralph Fiennes, all seething and sinister) goals of magical world domination. These are the three characters we have grown up with and grown to love over the span of a decade.
The characters have definitely aged. Director David Yates emphasises traits of physical maturity in this movie: we see Harry sporting body hair, and we see a hint of Hermione`s cleavage (yay for Emma Watson fans). But what is truly remarkable is, despite the coming-of-age of the three characters, there still remains a very beautiful innocence to their friendship. Their love for and loyalty to one another have seen them weathering many storms together, and even in these dark times for Hogwarts, Harry still takes a quiet comfort in the company and support of his friends.
Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves knew it was not possible to squeeze every single detail of the novel into this two-hour movie, but they sure did manage to capture a lot of the novel`s heart: Harry and his two friends continue to be the big focus of the movie, though in this final instalment, the Harry Potter-Severus Snape relationship becomes a lot more important. And as much as we think the main characters are well cast, it is the supporting actors, in particular Alan Rickman, who steals the show. Rickman only has a few scenes in this film (and many people already know what happens to Snape`s character), but his presence in those mere minutes are a delight to watch. Rickman continues to deliver Snape`s glacial expressions with much panache, and his lines are, as usual, laced with ambiguity. He plays not just with his words, but with the pauses between each word as well. Rickman`s Severus Snape, as the anti-hero of the Harry Potter series, is at once sinister, sympathetic and fascinating.
We suspect purists of the books will be a little disappointed with the lack of duelling scenes (a few key fight sequences are omitted), as well as the paltry screen time of a few fan-favourites like Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith). But there really is not that much to think about minor characters because in this film, the action becomes the imperative. Yates directs the wand-flinging action with much gusto and imagination. The dazzling visual pyrotechnics kept us enthralled, and a few nail-bitingly suspenseful sequences kept us at the edge of our seats.
If anything, we thought it all ended too quickly, and at the end, it was not Voldemort, but us, who was going, “NOOOOOOOOOOOO! There is something strangely bittersweet about seeing something you have grown up with finally come to a close, but Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was a loving and fitting finale to the wonderful series, bringing us back to all the magic and wonder that first greeted us when we were introduced to the Rowling-verse. Now it is time to dig out our books and other DVDs again.
Extras: Maximum Movie Mode hosted by Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and other cast members (80 mins); A Conversation with JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe; The Goblins of Gringott`s; The Women of Harry Potter; Warner Bros. Studio Tour (London) – The Making of Harry Potter; Deleted Scenes
Film: 4 stars Extras: 4 stars Raymond Tan