Harry Potter, goodbye?

Out of the eight films, this one is BY FAR the darkest and most brutal; it stirs our minds and overwhelms us with a mixture of grief and satisfaction.

Before we do anything, you must know that I LOVE the Harry Potter novels. This is probably why it's especially difficult to 'critique' this film, because I can't judge the film ON ITS own; its loyalty to the novel is EVERYTHING to me. That being said, I am quite 'pleased' with this final instalment.

Warning: this review will be quite long (not tedious)... so IMPERIO! [I'm FORCING you to read the whole review, just so you know]

Alan RICKMAN's portrayal of the morally ambiguous Severus SNAPE has always been excellent, and his final scenes are simply perfect; his eyes and voice are indescribably emotive. His screen time is limited, but time isn't that great a factor when you're the great Alan Rickman; a simple "always" conveys emotions as great as ... I don't want to spoil anything for those who don't read the novels. My point is, Alan Rickman is the perfect Severus Snape; I'll be thrilled if this fascinating character grants Rickman his FIRST Oscar nomination! Yes, he'll definitely be the NEXT to join my HOW AM I OSCAR-LESS? list.

Back on track with... Maggie Smith! Do I need to elaborate? The camera somehow finds its way back to her... her grim expressions... her childish laughter... her undeniable authority. McGonagall, in some ways, has been Harry's 'safety net' [especially in the novels] and she's here till the end; in the same way that Harry turns to McGonagall [for help], the audience turns to her for her emotive response. We love Maggie Smith because she EMBODIES McGonagall, and because... well you know (and this film will truly remind you)!

Helena Bonham Carter is obviously perfect as the perfectly bizarre Bellatrix (yes that creep that kills everyone). OH MY GOD, I know why she has so little screen time-they cut a huge part out! Moving on, Carter playing Hermione pretending to be Bellatrix is WOW-absolutely SPOT ON [in character] and WILDLY entertaining. PERHAPS, if she has MORE screen time... I digress. HOWEVER, the BELLATRIX VS. MOLLY scenes(s) are WAY TOO SHORT... seriously, the Voldemort vs. Harry showdown isn't the only one people want to see!!!

Now... time to discuss the scenes! The 'King's Cross station' scene is quite superb, even though they forget to highlight THAT Pettigrew used Harry's blood to resurrect Voldemort (even so, he's missing huge chunks of his nose hehe). Michael Gambon is actually IN the reserved and cheerful character of Dumbledore in this scene, HALLELUJAH! This film truly brings out the best in the actors, especially Daniel Radcliffe (who is especially great in the 'King's Cross' scene and the few scenes prior to that). Oh, Emma Watson...yes, let's say she stimulates my tear ducts . Actually, A LOT of scenes stand out... so I will stop naming examples.

HOWEVER, I have to mention the Narcissa-Harry scene, for some strange reason the 'maternal instinct' that Narcissa displays really affects me. Strange.

Similar to the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, this film is SUPER theatrical (which maximises the suspense). Though, I must say, dramatisation of certain scenes is 'a little too much'. I think this is my problem with the film, it's so EPIC that sometimes it forgets the 'small and intimate' scenes. HOWEVER, those 'small and intimate' scenes still play a major role in this film, which is why I'm 'pleased'. Do I have to mention the special effects? There's really no point mentioning an element that's been perfected, which is why there is no need to mention the music and cinematography.

Like I said, the film is EPIC and the pace is VERY FAST, which makes us appreciate the power of those 'quiet' scenes. The film is quite overwhelming, but it shows us the war that this is. It is a war, people (in this case, wizards and witches) die and there is nothing triumphant about that. The film's solemn tone is relieved by the perfect 'implementation' of humour, but it never lets the audience forget that this is a war, and when the war ends... we are simply satisfied, not overwhelmed with joy.  

ONE FINAL THING is the final showdown between Voldemort and Harry, these scenes are dramatised to THE MAX (so to say). THAT being said, the 'final' wand duel is quite intimate and is marvelously powerful. I would like to mention that it is VERY VERY VERY VERY DISAPPOINTING that they omit the scene where harry repairs 'pheonix feather' wand, I AM DISGUSTED! That scene would take... 30 seconds... UGH!

Yes, they do omit scenes and some scenes are TOO dramatised and theatrical, BUT the great lines [from the novel] are not omitted (they may have omitted a few, I'm not sure). Also, this 'blood bath' is not glorified... some of those characters that we hold in our hearts die; this end is not in anyway WONDERFUL, it is simply APPROPRIATE. Harry Potter doesn't go out with a BANG, it ends with the RIGHT bangs.

This isn't goodbye, not really. I'll grow old, but I'll never grow up and Harry Potter will never die. NO MATTER how many no-nose Voldermorts 'growing old' will bring.

J.K. Rowling, thank you for painting our hearts with this world and these characters.

P.S. Even with the film being extremely 'BUSY', some scenes still manage to draw drops of tears from my eyes, and that deserves a round of applause.