It All Ends

The final film in the 7 book 8 film decade long saga that is Harry Potter was released in the summer of 2011. Part two of the two part finale to the Harry Potter series picks up exactly where the first part ended, just after the death of Dobby, and features the Battle for Hogwarts, the search for Horcruxes and the escape from Gringott's Bank. The film features virtually all of the same cast as the other films in the series, and was directed back-to-back with part 1, by David Yates.

The vast majority of the film features, The Battle for Hogwarts, the epic conclusion to the war of the wizarding world, with the epilogue showing life after the war. The first part of the film shows Harry, Ron and Hermione planning a break in at Gringotts, to steal a horcrux from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault, and enlisting the help of Griphook, a former Gringott's goblin. Upon breaking in to the vaulting and finding the horcrux, the trio escape on a dragon, who allows them to leave london safely. They then make plans to go to hogwarts, to destroy the horcrux and find the next one, which harry believes to be the diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. The remainder of the film then follows the battle for Hogwarts, and the final duel between Tom Riddle and Harry Potter. The film follows the plot of the book fairly closely, and many standout moments from the book are replicated in this film, such as the duel between Molly Weasley and Bellatrix Lestrange.

The film really is action packed given that over two thirds of it are dedicated to the battle, what is also fantastic about this film, is that we get to see characters duel who previously had their magical skills relegated to cooking and turning hedgehogs into pincushions, the duel between Mcgonagall and Snape is a particular highlight, and Maggie Smith truly is badass, as is the duel between Lestrange and Molly Weasley, which was a personal favorite of mine from the books. The actual battle is fantastically staged, despite it being staged at night, and both of the sides wearing black, the death eaters wearing black robes and the students wearing their Hogwarts robes. The director manages to focus on the main characters throughout the battle, and the characters who are really pivotal to the plot such as Neville, Ginny, Draco and Luna, in addition to the main protagonists and antagonists.

The use of music in the film is fantastic, the first half of the film contains an almost continuous musical score, which is used to add mystery, suspense and tension, the Harry Potter theme is used as a victory theme, to signify when the protagonists finally achieve a small victory. During most of the second half of th film there is virtually no music, and the only background is the sound of spells being cast, and screams of pain. This in a sense symbolizes the desolation felt by the protagonists, and the sheer loneliness of their situation. The end of the film features more melodic music, symbolizing that peace has returned to the wizarding world.

This is by far the most 'full' of all the films, despite it being one of the shortest films it really is jammed with story, there is barely a moment to pause before we are whisked off on another adventure, the film really could be longer, there could be a little more space and it is one of the rare moments in which a film is a little too short. There are various parts of the film which could do to be explored. The film does use the ingenious point of using the pensive to explain Severus' story, and his history with Lily, rather than having Dumbledore laboriously explain it.

This really is a fantastic film, and is by far the best of the series, it is an action packed, fun filled exciting adventure, and features one of the greatest on screen battles since The Lord of the Rings. The film cleverly utilizes its talented cast, and Alan Rickman stands out as Severus Snape. This adventure is a fitting conclusion to a fantastic series, and will make even the most hard hearted shed a few. Rating: A

The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.