A Classic

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2011)

I have enjoyed all of the films but this is the first time since Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone that I have been genuinely moved by one of them.
This is more than just the next or last Harry Potter film, this is head and shoulders above the quality of the rest.
Character development is at its best with McGonagall showing more emotion than ever, Voldemort at his most vulnerable and most arrogant, Neville turning into Rambo, and Molly Weasley also in full action mode.
But of course and predictably its Snape's death scene and memories which provide the most emotional and satisfying material of the films to date.
Alan Rickman's performance is perfect and although he has always been a great Snape, it really shows why an actor of such talent was needed for the role and he does not disappoint.
The changes from the book and omission of in my opinion some of the best material such as Dumbledores back-story, and the history of where the Horcruxes came from, don't matter so much this time as the tone, momentum and emotional gravitas of the film are so strong that you don't miss them.
Any complaints I have would be that Fred's death could have had a little more screen time and been more emotional as could Lupin and Tonks.
Also the scenes after Voldemorte is defeated seem to fall a little flat. I really think they should have added in the scene in the headmasters office with the portraits applauding and perhaps to have seen Snapes portrait there too.
However the epilogue was done very well and provided the closure we all needed for this incredible 10 years of storytelling especially by using the same music that ended the first film.
I should also add that a big part of the success of this movie is that the soundtrack is breathtaking. I heard the soundtrack before seeing the movie and could already tell that it was going to be powerful. Using the theme that they did for the opening credits set the mood amazingly.
I'm not surprised the films have never won any Oscars so far but I would be surprised if this didn't.
I feel the same way after seeing this movie as I did with the Dark Knight, Braveheart, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Shawshank, The Godfather, and the first Harry Potter. Affected by the movie still in the days afterwards. So by my own standards this is a classic movie.