Best of the series

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2011)

This film was by far the best of a sometimes patchy series. There has been quite a bit of adaptation compared with the book, but it is on the whole an excellent adaptation which is true to the story, well paced, and grips the viewer.
My complaint comes in and around the Battle of Hogwarts where I regret the horror of it all has been toned down, presumably in search of a child friendly certificate. Gone was the reconciliation of Percy with his family which provided such a contrast with the death of Fred - though there was the briefest of allusions to it in one scene.
Gone was the book's emotion as the dead and dying were brought in from the grounds during the hour's cease fire. What we saw was much sanitised.
There were no tears from Hargrid as he carried back Harry's body.
I was disappointed that Grawp, the house elves, and Buckbeak played no part in the battle. I suppose that was inevitable, but surely the presence of these foreshadows greater friendship between the races if JKR ever writes book 8
My last regret is that the final dual between Harry & Voldemort was portrayed as a running battle in which Harry actively kills his opponent. In the book Voldemort effectively murders himself with a rebounding curse after declining an offer to repent. I understand why the film was done this way, but suggest it belies the true nature of Harry.
Against this, given how much it had to be compressed the explanation of Snape's true role was excellently handled, & the raid on Gringots as good as I hoped.
This is a film I shall enjoy watching many more times when it is released on DVD/Blueray.