Thus, I highly enjoyed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. I've saved this quick review until I'd seen the film twice, and now that I have, I maintain a few things that I loved about Part I and II, and enjoy about the films in general.
In case it needs to be said, spoilers to follow, so don't read if you don't want to know.
To begin, I think we can all agree that it got a tad bit...trying to read on and on about months of camping. When I envisioned the film, I was worried that they would prolong these months. Luckily, the film(s) do a great job of making the story line a bit more exciting and fast paced.
I also highly enjoy how well the movies develop the visible relationship between Harry, Hermione and Ron. While I truly feel and respect their friendship in the books, the filmmakers have taken the time to add in extra scenes that illustrate that which you only gain from reading the books in their entirety: the all encompassing love that the three share. With little scenes throughout the films like the three laughing around the Gryffindor fire, teasing each other about writing during the summer, ad-libbing small comments here and there ("that was exciting!" "who are you and what have you done with Hermione?"), you can visualize them becoming like a family over those years at Hogwarts.
And I'll just say it: I'm a big fan of the Harry/Hermione dancing in the tent scene. I thought it was adorable, reinforced their strong, but platonic, connection, and was incredibly heart felt.
While I don't like all of the changes they made to the film adaptation of book seven, in general, the choices felt sound. They extended scenes I wish had been longer in the book- like the fight between Harry and Voldemort or Hermione and Ron venturing into the Chamber to gather basilisk fangs- and, in general, explained much of the premise: that love is what matters, and we should not fear death, as life without love is far worse. Many of the scenes- though they lacked critical book components- were exactly as I imagined, such as Harry's moment of "death" where he ventures to "King's Cross", speaks with Dumbledore and sees what Voldemort is to become, and the battlefield of Hogwarts (so many spells, and giants and acromantulas galore! Perfect!)
And yet.
I do so wish that we could have flushed out all of the horcruxes in the sixth film so that the film audience knew that we were seeking a golden cup, that we could have heard the story of Dumbledore and Grindelwald so that we could have seen Dumbledore apologize to Harry in "King's Cross" and this all could have felt a bit more "whole circle." The films don't even dive into the mistrust and anger Harry felt toward Dumbledore during the entire book- and it's so crucial to the student- Harry- coming into his own.
More importantly, I so wish Dudley, Pettigrew, Percy and Kreacher could have had their moments and scenes of redemption. Kreacher becomes a favorite in the middle of the Deathly Hallows, with the true understanding we gain of his disposition, and Pettigrew loosening his grip and then losing his own life because of remorse is SO KEY! And it wouldn't have taken much to show it all!
In part II, the return to the headmaster's office, with a wrap up with Dumbledore was sorely missed. That moment of catharsis, of Harry greeting Dumbledore and sharing their common success is so- sorely missed. Why, in heaven's name, couldn't Harry have mended his wand with the Elder Wand as we know he does?
Finally, I have to note that Alan Rickman (Snape) ended up carrying this film franchise in so many ways. He executed Snape's character, cold demeanor, unending love for Lily, and general persona SO WELL. It was his scenes in the final film that had me most connected emotionally.
All that being said, I cried throughout about half of the film, so they must have conveyed the sentiments and feelings of the books well. I can hardly believe that we HP fans don't have anything to set our sights on to look forward to, beyond Pottermore.
And lastly, the fourth movie is by far my least favorite. If you watch the film, you'd think the only thing that happened that year was the Triwizard Tournament. Granted it was important, but shiz happened between the second and third task, y'all!
I'll leave it there. Your thoughts or comments on the eighth film, or any of them, really?
