Harry Potter - Carl Jones reviews the final chapter

So this is it. The film the fans were desperate to see, yet never really wanted, writes Carl Jones. For this is the end of an era; the final big-screen appearance for Harry Potter and his wizarding pals, who have cast their spells on the world to create the most successful franchise in film history.

The millions who nervously turned the pages of JK Rowling's final book in summer 2007 already know the fate which awaits Harry (Radcliffe), Ron (Grint) and Hermione (Watson).

But the film doesn't need an element of surprise, or too much dramatic tension, when it has such an overdose of wall-to-wall action and spectacular adventure.

At the end of the last chapter, we left Harry and his cohorts plotting to capture the powerful Horcruxes, where Lord Voldemort has hidden his soul.

This one opens with Voldemort (Fiennes) stealing the powerful Elder Wand from Dumbledore's grave, which he intends to use to kill Harry.

The dark lord's dastardly accomplices Bellatrix Lestrange (Bonham Carter) and Lucius Malfoy (Isaacs) press on with their diabolical plans, while Severus Snape (Rickman) fills the vacant post of headmaster at Hogwarts.

Harry's mission eventually leads him back to the troubled school where fellow students Neville Longbottom (Lewis), Luna Lovegood (Lynch) and Ginny Weasley (Wright) are ready to lay down their lives to protect Harry from Death Eaters including Draco Malfoy (Felton) and his Slytherin sidekicks.

As the series has progressed, the films have become darker and darker, longer and longer.

This one, at a relatively sprightly two hours 10 minutes, never outstays its welcome.

If the first chapter of Deathly Hallows was something of a low-key road trip, focusing on the complex emotions and relationships of Harry and his best friends, this is an all-out onslaught of action and adventure in the best blockbuster tradition.

An attempted break-in at Gringotts bank in the opening minutes is breathtaking, setting the pace for what's to come, and the climactic battle of Hogwarts is served up with some truly spectacular digital effects.

In fact, Deathly Hallows Part Two probably has more action than the previous seven Potter movies put together.

Radcliffe has definitely grown into the part, and although the film's scale overshadows his wide-eyed, two-dimensional performance, his sombre reunion with long-lost friends in The Forbidden Forest is one of the most touching moments.

Watson and Grint shine in the slightly surprisingly few scenes they share, and the moment everyone's been talking about – the kiss – certainly delivers.

Elsewhere, Rickman's prickly Snape, and Lewis as Neville Longbottom in his finest hour, are the pick of the supporting cast.

The film isn't without a few niggles, though.

In the race towards this life-or-death conclusion, some of the other supporting turns we've grown attached to, like Julie Walters' loveable Mrs Weasley, get rather swept up and forgotten.

And the introduction of 3D is seemingly driven more by box office greed than creative necessity. The view from behind the specs is perfectly fine, but is a non-essential luxury.

None of the Harry Potter films so far has taken more than a billion dollars at the box office. The ticket levy for 3D coupled with our nostalgia will ensure that Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 becomes the most successful film of the long-running saga.

And many a Potter fan will already be gearing up for tears before the end credits roll.

It's a bit late to be converted to the world of Harry Potter; after seven previous films in 10 years, you'll know by now whether this sort of thing is up your Diagon Alley or not.

But movies as hyped as this often struggle to live up to expectations, even for the die-hard fans. So it's to director David Yates' credit that he's treated them to a hugely entertaining rollercoaster which is just about the best of the lot (or, at the very least, tied for first place with Alfonso Cuaron's stint in the director's chair for Prisoner of Azkaban)

And so it's over to you, JK Rowling. As the millions pour in through the box office, how long can you resist the temptation to pen another one?

*****

Alternative Reviews

When first told I was going along to a media preview of the long awaited final Harry Potter film, I did what every not-really-a-Harry-Potter-fan would do: I quickly Googled the plot to part 1 and hoped for the best.

It turned out that wasn't much use anyway as I had no idea who the different characters were. So, armed with my very basic knowledge that it was about a wizard called Harry, I saw the new film... and was pleasantly surprised.

Being the last film in the series, and by far the most hyped, the expectations were high. After all, unless you have been living under a rock for the last 14 years, you will be aware of the huge success and fan base the Harry Potter books and films have gained. Knowing this, and that there must be something about the wizard and his friends for it to be such a hit, I had high hopes for the film, especially in 3D.

I wasn't let down.

The film starts as part one ended: Harry is on his quest to find the Deathly Hallows and to destroy the last of Voldemort's Horcruxes. The tone is quite sad, as Harry, Hermione and Ron mourn the loss of Dobby, the 'free' elf. After an eventful trip to Gringott's Bank, a run in with Dumbledore's brother and the return to Hogwarts, Voldemort is once again after Harry.

There were times in the film which nearly drew me to tears, especially the deaths of many of Harry's friends, but also the signature jokes and funny moments that had us all laughing out loud. The film also has its fair share of action and battle scenes, as the film concludes with the final battle between Harry and Voldemort.

Harry Potter fans will already know how the story ends, and the film ties up all the loose ends that a series like this obviously creates. With a perfect balance of laughter, tears, action and seriousness, the film keeps you gripped the whole way through and is by far the best one (and the only one), I have seen.

But knowing nothing about the plot or storyline of any of the other films didn't seem to matter in the least, as I could follow along perfectly the whole film. In fact, seeing this film has made me want to read and watch the other films!

So, I'm certain that all the devoted Harry Potter fans will love the finale, as it is quite a send off for the series. And, even if you have no interest in the story, or have never really tried it, I highly recommend going to see it, as it is absolutely brilliant, with great acting, special effects and story line the whole way through.

Overall, I give it an amazing 9 out of 10.

By Isobel Goodman, 15, from Baschurch

****

"The boy who lived" is, unsurprisingly, still alive - but for everybody around the globe the end of the Harry Potter saga signals the end of an era.

Children have journeyed through a world of magic and mystery whilst parents have appreciated long stints of peace and quiet.

For over a decade Harry Potter has been part of our lives, but now it's the time to wave goodbye and make sure Harry goes off with a bang.

The finale "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -part 2" is undoubtedly one of the better films of the movie saga, along with the "Prisoner of Azkaban".

The heroes, having lead us through the tediously boring first chapter of the Deathly Hallows like some standard gap-year students trying to find themselves in a campsite, eventually start to pick up the pace.

Straight from the start Harry, Ron and Hermione are thrown deep into the deepest and darkest caverns of Gringotts in the quest for another Horcrux, only to be stabbed in the back by a greedy goblin.

From there things only get better as we are taken back to the once familiar Hogwarts to witness a horde of death eaters and magical creatures fall upon it in a fight for dominance over the wizarding world.

Director David Yates, on top of an array of action-packed special effects, has given this movie a real gothic edge which really brings to life the evil aura around Voldemort and the threat he imposes.

Obviously the film is 12A and therefore can't be too graphic but it makes one think what would Harry Potter be like as an 18.

The digital effects are first class, but the 3D makes little difference and is probably there just as a money spinner.

The characters are what make the film and the list of famous and extremely talented actors and actresses that have appeared in the Harry Potter movies are undoubtedly anyone's ultimate dream team.

Ralph Fiennes plays the heartless, frightening and somewhat lonely Voldemort to such a high standard.

Alan Rickman's Snape however steals the show by playing the unsung hero and showing us the true power of love so often mentioned as the most powerful weapon in the book.

The trouble with such brilliant actors is that the younger cast are completely outshone.

Radcliffe (Harry Potter) has come a long way since his first screen appearance back in 2001 but he still has that awkwardness and forced frown upon his face.

Some of the scenes are extremely moving in the film, such as the death of Fred Weasley, and they leave an empty pit in your stomach.

The final film brings everything together so well and the short flashbacks into the past untangle the twists and turns helping us to finally understand the plot.

The movie certainly does keep to the book but at the end you somehow wish it hadn't; the ending is immensely cringe worthy and a terrible way to end such brilliant film. Giving someone a side parting does not make them look 19 years older.

The hype up towards this film was huge and it certainly delivered.

The question is what happens now it's all over? The unemployment levels in the acting world are certainly set to spiral - or perhaps not; there are rumours that JK Rowling might have one more book up her sleeve.

We'll just have to wait and see...

By David Jenkins, of Shrewsbury