A mind-blowing and emotional finale!

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2011)

Seven films have led up to this eighth film, and every film has teased what the Battle of Hogwarts now presents to us, an all-out war between Hogwarts' students and teachers, and Voldermort and his trusty death eaters.
The film begins with a break-in into the wizarding bank Gringotts, and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix) imitates Hermione (Emma Watson) perfectly. The 3D works brilliantly as we sail thousands of feet under ground to the depths of the bank where the Lestrange vault is hidden. This is by far one of the superior action pieces of the film, including the dragon flight which shows how well 3D can work, although others, it cannot.
The Battle of Hogwarts was also superb. Everyone reunited and no one is holding back, and neither does it feel like David Yates was either, it doesn't seem like they were trying to make the battle too 'kiddy', because it really does show the blood and sweat that leak out of these characters.
For me, Maggie Smith really stood out for me, and her attack against Severus Snape was perfect, the effects were stunning.
The epilogue too was very touching, it had emotion, class and humour and stemmed far away from being too cheesy (which the book slightly was).
Overall, a brilliant finale, I shall treasure this film for a very, very long time.