The End

It’s here: the end of a decadelong cinematic adventure...of a journey...of the Harry Potter franchise (uhh...series, as the filmmakers would rather we think of it, thankyouverymuch).

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 opens in theaters in just a few hours (in regular- and didn’t-bother-me-at-all-3-D, too!), picking up exactly where Part 1 left off, once again under the direction of David Yates, with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson reprising their star-making roles as the Chosen One, Ron, and Hermione.

It is the perfect farewell to the magical world that J.K. Rowling created many, many Quidditch matches ago, and that we first visited almost 10 years ago. (Worry not, Muggles, for the Potterverse will live on online in the form of the recently announced Pottermore.)

There’s action and drama and love (non-Spoiler Alert! Ron and Hermione finally kiss!) in Part 2, as well as battle and loss.

Yates and longtime series screenwriter Steven Kloves have paced the movie in a way that is deeply satisfying to the casual Potterhead (i.e., non-readers like yours truly) and exciting to loyal fans, even when they’ve taken liberties (I understand there are a few key scenes that play differently on screen than they do in Rowling’s final book – moves that aren’t exclusive to this final entry in the saga and that were approved by the protective author throughout the series).

Unlike Part 1, though, which afforded us all (both the powers and that be and the audience) a little time to take stock, there’s not a moment to contemplate, y’ know.

He Who Must Not Be Named (Ralph Fiennes) – or Voldemort, as Maggie Smith’s Professor McGonagall encourages another character to call him, dispensing with fearful formality – is coming, waging war upon Hogwarts.

It is up to Harry & Co., of course, to stop him and save the day so magic, good magic, can live on.

Part 2 finds them still on their quest to find the rest of the Horcruxes containing bits of their enemy’s soul, a mission that takes to the bowels of Gringotts Bank, from which they escape on the back of a dragon. Yay – action!

The drama comes from every direction.

Take for instance the rewarding revelation of Professor Snape’s (Alan Rickman, more invaluable than ever) true intentions and motivations. It’s a total heartrending moment.

And the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldemort is every bit the culmination we have been anticipating for seven satisfying movies, full of twists. It is a showcase not only for the two, ever linked characters but for fan faves like McGonagall and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis).

Ultimately, as it would, the last stand takes a toll. Beloved folks are lost, but what makes it all...tolerable is the knowledge that good triumphs over evil, and that Harry, Ron, and Hermione not only fought admirably but drew us into a world of pure imagination I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting.

I shall miss everyone involved, and be thankful for Rowling and her mind, and relish it all forever.

My Rating ****

Photo: Warner Bros.