A mesmerizing and spell binding conclusion to the greatest phenomenon of this decade.

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2011)

A phenomenon which started 14 years ago ends with the last chapter in the Harry Potter Saga. The movie series, unlike the books, had its share of ups and downs. As a die hard Potterhead, I've always preferred the first two movies which remain the most faithful to the books. I really hated how this series had to face a change of directors in the middle, disrupting a continuous flow from the first two, but even though the third and the fourth ones had their differences from the book, yet they remained entertaining and magical.
It wasn't until David Yates came that in my opinion that the series went downhill. With Yates helming the fifth and the sixth one, the Harry Potter movie saga was at its worst. Not only were those two dull and bland, Yates completely missed the essence of the books which the other directors were able to hold on to.
When I came to know that David Yates was chosen for the finale, my worst fear had come true. I dreaded how Yates was going to butcher the finale of a great series which deserved a perfect send off. With the release of Deathly Hallows - Part 1, I was both concerned and relieved. Part 1 had its share of great moments but just like the previous two installments, something was missing, something magical which the first four in the series had. So from then onwards it was time to await for the finale and wonder if Part 2 would be what us fans expected it to be.
Today, after watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 for the second time I can only say this, Harry Potter fans could not have asked for a better end to the series that has shaped their childhood for more than a decade.
Everything about the movie was perfect. From the acting, which was the greatest amongst all the eight movies, especially from Daniel Radcliffe who had the whole movie on his shoulder to carry on and carries it off, he does brilliantly, from Ralph Fiennes who portrays a great villain with perfect menace and from Alan Rickman as Snape who gives us the highlight sequence of the series with such sincerity and grace that would make even a casual fan feel for him. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson though this time had to be sidelined a bit but still play their part beautifully with Emma showing why she's one of the brilliant actresses out there and Rupert who this time around brings out a more truer Ron than he had in the previous few installments. Not to mention the other actors like Maggie Smith who this time was given a deserving screen time and a role to play, Matthew Lewis who gives a terrific performance as the unsung Hero of Hogwarts and all the rest. If there was one thing Harry Potter got absolutely correct then that was the casting. Kudos to the filmmakers to achieve such a success with this! The direction this time around was outstanding. Always considered David Yates to be the worst thing that happened to Hogwarts but he has proved me wrong with a finale that puts him up there with the elite ones. Even though he butchered two installments but he created an outstanding finale which is his redemption.
The music is one of the reasons why the movie works so well. Alexandre Desplat may have given a better than average music for Part 1 but with Part 2 he shows why he is an Oscar nominated composer. His battle tracks especially the Statues and Courtyard Apocalypse were brilliant and his Lilly and Severus along with the Resurrection Stone track hits all the right notes. Though his biggest contribution is the use of John William's Leaving Hogwarts for the epilogue which is the greatest service he could have given to the fans and works as a powerful tool to bring out a decade long emotion in the end.
The visual effects as usual with the HP series were brilliant. The Battle of Hogwarts was breath taking, with beautiful cinematography. This movie had the right amount of violence and action keeping the battle intriguing and intense.
A mesmerizing and spell binding conclusion to the greatest phenomenon of this decade. David Yates, by crafting a magical finale, you have truly demonstrated why Harry Potter is and will always be.... The Boy Who Lived...!!!