A great conclusion to an amazing franchise!

Rating: Null/10 (23 July 2011)

When it comes to Harry Potter it's pretty hard to be unbiased at times. This is a series that means a lot to me. I first saw Sorcerer's Stone at age 8 in the cinema, and since then have seen every single HP flick at the cinema. It has been 10 years, and the conclusion of this series couldn't have come at a better time. I just graduated High School and am ready to go to a University in a month, so these characters that I have come to care about saying goodbye is a bidding farewell that resonates with me as well.
First off, this is a great finale. It's the action-packed conclusion that ends with a bang. It's fast-paced and very entertaining. Of course, there are many characters to keep track of, so only those people that have stuck with the series all these years will be able to point them out. I do wish the film had shown more of some characters, and this is where I come away with some problems I had with the film. I feel that a lot of characters come away in the film heavily-edited. As in I feel there was a lot that we weren't able to see. Since this is Part 2, it's definitely different in both tone and pace to Part 1, which was a slower-paced more moody film, where people nervously awaited the end. Here it is, and certainly action-packed, but I cannot help but feel as if it was anti-climactic at moments. This goes back to the problems with the book as well. Also, many unexplained things I felt were not given enough backstory. I feel that it would be certainly hard to follow certain story lines. For example, Draco Malfoy's resolution wasn't really seen. We see him go away with his parents then in the epilogue he is seen smiling. I felt this character in particular could have fared with a better farewell. I feel a little bit like that with a lot of characters, for example McGonogall, The Weasleys, Hagrid etc.
These problems I had I cannot really determine as real flaws. For starters, I feel that a conclusion this big needs to be rewatched to be able to seriously analyze it further. But don't get me wrong. It's Harry Potter, so that in itself makes me love it. Yes, it's sort of biased, but it's the truth. Not to say this wasn't a well-made film, because it was. The cinematography is soaring and lets you dwelve into the various things happening (although nothing will beat the cinematography of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). The music score was well adjusted and edited, although I can't really recall any really special themes. The visual and sound effects definitely masterful, as is the art direction (who this time around should FINALLY win at the Academy Awards!).
People who have been waiting eagerly to see how the reveal with Snape was ('The Prince's Tale') won't be disappointed. Yes, the montage is heavily edited, but really, what other way could audiences finally understand the grasp of Snape's character. This goes back to the performances. Alan Rickman and Ralph Fiennes are the stand-outs here. None have been better (although certainly don't see either getting any type of awards recognition sadly). Daniel radcliffe is decent as always, although to a higher extent this time. I do think that both Grint and especially Watson have turned out better performances in this, and have proved to be the better actors.
Let's talk about the epilogue... hated it in the book. Maybe it was the way J.K. Rowling wrote it, in such a cheesy and overly-sugary tone. Yeah, that complaint has been heard millions of times before, but it's the truth. But, to my surprise, it came alive much better on screen. What I especially loved about it was the way not much words have to be said between the original trio for them to know how much they mean to each other. The final shot of them smiling at their kids attending what might be the biggest part of their lives is a great ending.
Ultimately, yes, I might have had problems with it, but at the same time I cannot feel that there might have not been a better way to end the series. David Yates has proved he was the best Harry Potter director, and the last three films of the series are near-masterpieces. I don't really want to over-analyze this reality that Harry Potter has come to an end, because I HATE getting emotional, but really, we have a classic franchise that will be remembered for decades to come.