It was the perfect ending to a phenomenal story.

Rating: Null/10 (16 July 2011)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 marks the end of the reign of Lord Voldemort, and the end of the most successful movie franchise ever. I have to say that it was a fitting end to what has been an extremely exciting 10-year-long adventure. Although this was inevitable, and the ending was fairly predictable, even for those who had not read the book, this film was absolutely gripping, powerful and suspenseful, and characteristic of a classic "cloak-and-dagger" tale.
You want to talk about ending with a bang, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 did that in tremendous form. I have been told that in business you cannot be everything to everyone, and while this holds true in many scenarios, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows refuses to be bound by this rule. This is one of the few films that I have seen where every possible emotion one can experience is provoked at one point or another. Throughout the film, you will be happy, sad, angry, upset, confused, sad again, distraught (I heard the sobs) depressed, perplexed, and then absolutely euphoric. Daniel Radcliffe described this film in an interview as being an "intense emotional drama" and the story to be "quite a roller-coaster ride", and after having seen the film, I can vouch that it truly is one heck of an emotional roller-coaster.
Although this last film continued on with the story from the one before it, it was not absolutely necessary to have seen part 1 to understand part 2. Part 1 was all dialogue in order to set the plot for what was to come, and considering only one Horcrux was found and destroyed over the duration of the entire film, the remaining Horcruxes along with every conclusive detail were left for part 2.
The opening scenes of the final film were strictly dialogue and the story moved very slowly, taking on from the film that preceded it, but once it got back into the thick of things, it suddenly seemed to breeze by. Before long, two Horcruxes were destroyed, Voldemort had become significantly weaker, and an epic battle of good versus evil ensues at Hogwarts School. A familiar place that had at one time been considered a place of refuge, comfort and safety, I thought that it was the perfect setting for one final mystical adventure with Harry, Ron and Hermione. It's where it all began for the boy wizard and his trusted sidekicks, so it seems only fitting to have it all end there as well, and have the story come full circle.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows provided the perfect place for the proper good-bye, and I thought every aspect of this film was very well thought-out. Every scene, every character, and every event that took place had significance to how the whole story played out, so you have to really be paying attention as you watch. Everything was done appropriately and surely to every fan's complete satisfaction. As part 1 dealt mainly with Harry, Ron and Hermione's quest to uncover the story behind the deathly hallows, many of the other characters that had become staples in the franchise had been left out. But from the opening scenes of part 2 onwards, we are rightfully reacquainted with all the bright, familiar faces that we have come to love and cherish, including Ollivander.
All the characters were utilized, some more than others, and some with even bigger parts with more screen-time than they had in the past 7 films put together. Those select few characters I have alluded to become the unlikely heroes of the movie.
Just like the Sword of Gryffindor presents itself to the witch or wizard most deserving of it, the sword, along with the role of hero, went to a character very deserving of it.
This film drew applause from the audience even before the story picked up. There are many occasions when you'll be compelled to clap, not just at the end; and that's the kind of reception this film has gained. It was the perfect ending to a phenomenal story.