Throwback Thursday Review: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2'

Well after four months I've reached the end of my Harry Potter reviews with my thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to tie in with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which I watched last evening so expect a full review within a day or two. I changed my mind on what my Throwback Thursday Review will be as I decided to review Lilo & Stitch instead of Frozen to coincide with Moana, since it centers on Polynesian culture and also to save my review of Frozen for the inevitable sequel that's in active development. In the meantime other reviews you can expect from me in the next week or two include Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, The Edge of Seventeen, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Moana, and Allied. If you missed any of my previous Harry Potter reviews you can find them at the subsequent hyperlinks Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' Review

Nominated For: Best Makeup, Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the eighth film in the Harry Potter series adapting the second half of the final novel following up on Harry, Ron, and Hermoine's quest to destroy Voldemort's remaining horcruxes leading to the inevitable final confrontation with Voldemort himself.  

As I've said before, I'm not the biggest fan of film adaptations that split the book into two parts since it leaves both feeling slightly incomplete, a buildup with no real climax and a climax with minimal buildup. However, I think Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 suffers significantly less than Part 1 because it's the payoff the entire series has built towards and there's much more action to peak the viewer's interest.

David Yates returns to finish out the series and puts forth a strong conclusion to the franchise, at least till this weekend's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that looks to expand the Wizarding World both linearly and geographically by exploring America's Wizarding community of New York in 1926. Yates and his crew once again bring the various intricacies of the Wizarding World to life in a manner that continues to leave the viewer spellbound. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra frames the bleak scenery expertly while the visual effects and production design teams create convincing captivating creatures, enchanting environments, and incredible incantations.

Steve Kloves' screenplay is an adequate translation of Rowling's novel but one issue I have is that a few significant moments from the novel are shortchanged in favor of a slimmer running time and there are some alterations that I feel aren't as impactful as the original source material. I'm typically not sensitive about how faithful an adaptation of a book is but in this case I felt a couple changes detracted from the overall narrative strength of the story being told. Alexandre Desplat's compositions, appropriately melancholy and uplifting when necessary, make an excellent accompaniment to the pivotal moments both heartbreaking and riveting.

The enormous cast reunites practically every surviving character remaining in the Wizarding World for the final showdown. Daniel Radcliffe embraces the heroism that surrounds Harry Potter embodying bravery, selflessness, wit, and humility as he has previously but with a more mature demeanor evidenced in his performance this time around. Radcliffe showcases nuance and subtly that make watching his portrayal all the more rewarding. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint make the perfect supporting heroes, offering intellect and courage galore as Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. 

Ralph Fiennes continues to play Voldemort as a reserved insightful menace and it comes to fruition with the final chapter. 

Alan Rickman offers complexity and emotional depth in his final turn as Severus Snape that's simply incredible and will likely leave fans in tears considering Rickman's recent passing earlier this year. 

Returning significant cast members include Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, George Harris, David Thewlis, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Domhnall Gleeson, Clémence Poésy, Bonnie Wright, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Devon Murray, Jessie Cave, Katie Leung, John Hurt, Simon McBurney, Warwick Davis, Helena Bonham Carter, Dave Legeno, Helen McCrory, Jason Isaac, and Tom Felton who all do well in the time allotted (I won't bother listing out the character names since the cast is so immense). Ciarán Hinds is introduced as Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus' brother, and does a great job with the screen-time dedicated to his character. 

In summary, David Yates in collaboration with his wonderful cast and crew offer up one of the best films in the franchise that's simultaneously technically proficient, well-acted, and an effective translation of the source material. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the ultimate conclusion for the franchise that provides enough heart-wrenching moments, engaging action and superstitious spectacle to please even casual viewers of the franchise.

Film Assessment: A+

Throwback Thursday Review: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1'

I apologize for the late review but I had a busy week and only just now managed to find rime to sit down and watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Next week I will conclude my Harry Potter reviews with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to tie in with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In the meantime other reviews you can expect from me soon include Arrival, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1' Review

Nominated For: Best Visual Effects and Best Art Direction.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the seventh film in the Harry Potter series adapting the first half of the final novel. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they undergo the mission left to them by Dumbledore to locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, pieces of Voldemort's soul hidden in various objects, in hopes of ultimately defeating Voldemort himself only to learn of the three most powerful object in magical history, the Deathly Hallows.

As you may know if you've read my reviews of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1 & Part 2 I'm not a fan of when a studio decides to split a book into two films upon adapting it for the big screen, seeing as both halves feel incomplete. That's once again the case with this film seeing as it's mostly build-up that doesn't pay off till the next half. 

David Yates returns to direct the final installments and thoroughly examines the politics of the Wizarding World amidst the chaos that has befallen it in addition to telling the crucial tale at hand. Yates once again brings the Wizarding World to life thanks to the phenomenal work from the cinematographer Eduardo Serra, costuming department, production design team, and visual effects artists. The enchanting world we've come to know feels plunged into darkness as a nice representation and symbolic showing of how Voldemort's rise to power would affect the Wizarding World. 

The screenplay penned by Steve Kloves does an excellent job translating J.K. Rowling's novel to the big screen, making miniscule alterations to either enhance the narrative or trim down the running time and fit everything necessary. 

One issue is that by the very nature of the story, the film is primarily the Hogwarts trio running around, hiding, and searching for Horcruxes and so naturally there's some teen angst and melodramatics among the group in the second act that isn't all that interesting to watch. It's not the fault of Kloves but only part of the source material being adapted that's being stretched slightly to extend over the course of four to five hours in two films, a factor that I believe makes a case for a Harry Potter Netflix series that could be quite successful as they can take as much or as little time necessary to tell the entire story of one year over the course of episodes in one season as opposed to one film and likely make for an entirely faithful adaptation of the source material. Alexandre Desplat takes up the mantle of composer and crafts a gorgeous score that is filled with both hope and despair and the perfect parallel to the events on screen. 

The cast includes returning members from the previous six films as well as some new additions that all prove up to the task. Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter continues to mature as he steps further into the role of the Chosen One and hero of the Wizarding World, Emma Watson remains the ever consoling and insightful shoulder to lean on as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint brings charm and courage to Ron Weasley. 

Ralph Fiennes makes a grand overcoming and enigmatic threat of Voldemort, making the inevitable confrontation between himself and Potter all the more exciting for the concluding chapter. 

Returning significant cast members include Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, David Thewlis, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Harry Melling, John Hurt, Simon McBurney, Toby Jones,Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Dave Legeno, Helen McCrory, Jason Isaac, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall, and Imelda Staunton who all do well in the time allotted but are cast into a more secondary supporting role as the film focuses on the trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermione (the cast is so immense now that I won't bother listing out the character names for those who don't have a major role to play). Additions to the growing cast include Bill Nighy's Minister Rufus Scrimgeour and Rhys Ifans' Xenophphilius Lovegood who each have their own vital role to play in the overarching story.

In conclusion, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is another technically proficient chapter in the Harry Potter franchise with a grand visuals, an enchanting score from Alexandre Desplat, and tremendous performances from a gifted ensemble cast. It's problems lie in the feeling of incompleteness and some of the less interesting storytelling to be found in the second act. When paired with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 it makes an excellent companion piece but when separated it doesn't manage to stand confidently on its own.

Film Assessment: B-