Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Greg Says: A confusing ending to an epic tale.
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Date: 16 July 2011
Recommendation: See it in the Theater
Helpful: 2 out of 3 found this helpful.
SPOILERS WITHIN
In this final chapter to the Harry Potter series, Harry (Daniel Radcliff), Harmione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) must find the three Horcrux’s and destroy them to prevent Voldermort (Ralph Fiennes) from becoming immortal.
The biggest problem with this film is that you must have read the book in order to understand what is going on. I haven’t. I’ve seen all the films up to this point and I had a hard time knowing what was happening.
The story starts out with Harry, Harmione, and Ron burying Dobby, the elf. They then interview a goblin who sort of fills us in on all the events leading up to this point. Then they interview a wand maker to tells us who is good and bad in this film. And we’re off. Except we aren’t. The trio then travel around the Potter Universe to try and find three Horcrux’s (a term never explained but are magical items that link to Voldermort’s immortality). As they find each one they destroy it.
I am trying to write a review without exposing any of the plot points. But it’s hard. Because to explain to you just what is wrong with this film I’d have to give away key elements.
I believe that any film must stand on its own. You shouldn’t have to have seen the previous film to understand it and you shouldn’t have to have read the book. “Deathly Hallows Part 2” fails in both cases. The film meanders around the Potter Universe finding objects and destroying them. The biggest confusion on my part is why must they destroy all three of these “Horcrux’s”? If Voldermort needs all of them to “regenerate” then why not just destroy one? If he doesn’t need all of them then why doesn’t he regenerate with the one he already has?
The ending is equally confusing and you’ll see why when you see the film. But basically I don’t understand what it is to die in the Potter Universe. Apparently it is optional.
We are never let in on the details of what is necessary to kill Voldermort. And the wand he stole from Dumbeldor’s grave has some very fluid rules as to who owns it at any particular time.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” is everything I hate about fantasy fiction. There are no rules. The writer makes them up as they go along to serve whatever is necessary to extricate the hero from whatever corner the writer has painted him into. I have seen fantasy done well (Lord of the Rings, eg) and Harry Potter is not fantasy done well.
Still the visual effects are stunning and you may never get another chance to see the movie on the big screen. That is why I recommend you “See it in the Theater.” Not because it is a great story, but because (despite its many flaws) it is a treat for the eyes.