A mature Harry Potter for a mature audience.

Rating: 8/10 (18 November 2010)

I saw this at the Sydney premiere and was highly impressed, Yates has done a terrific job here after the let downs of the last two films.
Now I've just read some reviews and there are many complaints about it being too long, action-less and boring. I must protest. One of the brilliant things about splitting the story into two films is to give each the time to fill out more than just non-stop action.
The acting here is much better than previously, with much of the story conveyed without the cramped, emotionless, talk-too-fast dialog of the other films. the characters are given the time to be still, to fill the emotional space around them and create a strong sense of the lost and crumbling world they are feeling their lonely way through. The three mains especially give fulfilling and nuanced performances, backed up by a strong show elsewhere.
Whilst everyone has their own tastes in films, I think some people need to let the films grow out of action-film-for-young-teen land and turn into the young adult drama the books ended up becoming.
This is a highly entertaining watch, but - somewhat redundant of this post - everyone who's seen the other films will watch this one even if it was horrible, and I can't see many people starting with this one even if it's brilliant. Harry Potter is coming to a fitting and spectacular close - but only for those that have been with him along.