Passable conclusion to a largely disappointing series

Rating: 5/10 (6 January 2012)

Well, it's better than the four films that preceded it and also an improvement on J. K. Rowling's novel, so this final instalment in the HARRY POTTER series is doing something right. After an awfully po-faced and mock-serious opening, this film soon settles down by concentrating on sheer spectacle – and when it comes to on-screen magical mayhem and destruction, even director David Yates can't mess it up.
The film is split into two halves, the first focusing on the set-up to the final battle between the forces of good and evil. This section slightly improves on what's come before, although there's still an unwelcome reliance on needless flashbacks and over-complicated scripting. Radcliffe isn't bad, but both Grint and Watson are on autopilot and their supposed chemistry is non-existent, making any romance scenes a real laugh. The good news is that Alan Rickman gets (slightly) more screen time than before, although there's so much happening that nobody else does.
The second half is all about the special effects, and splendid they are too. The story isn't so great, but I can ignore that for the sheer energy that's gone into bringing the climax to life – an energy notably missing from most of the series. There are still glaring flaws – like the cheat ending, which doesn't follow through with necessary consequences and instead follows Rowling's embarrassing insistence in protecting her little darlings. Just this once, I wish they'd changed it from the book.