I know some think the '19 years later' scene is hokey, but for me it's the perfect culmination of everything that the series has brought thus far. Even if you know when certain things are going to happen, they are written and presented in a way that's undeniably satisfying. Especially when watching them all back to back.Įverything about this film is epic in scale and emotion. Of course, I'm a bigger fan of Richard Harris' work as the great wizard, but Gambon's spin on the character definitely grew on me. This also gave us one final scene with Michael Gambon as Dumbledore's spirit, so to speak. Even though we ultimately knew he was going to have that showdown with Voldemort at Hogwarts, but his goodbyes to Ron and Hermione, and ultimately his discussion with The Order in the Forest, were some of the most touching scenes the franchise has given us. Harry himself goes through perhaps his biggest character arc since the middle of the franchise as he's forced to come to grips with the fact that he is the 7th horcrux after all. To watch a guy so hopelessly in love with someone he can never have, and then look after her son even though he despises the very presence of him, is so beautiful and tragic at the same time. The first time I watched this entire sequence, it absolutely broke me. This is also the film in which all was revealed about Snape and his allegiance to Harry after all. Seriously, I never would have thought Neville would be the one to kill Voldemort's snake, Nagini, but that's why it was so brilliant. Rowling has a knack for giving everyone a chance to shine, and there's no difference in Part 2.

Ciaran Hinds' Abeforth Dumbledore for one, Helena Ravenclaw, a nearly-blind Dragon from Gringott's, and oh yeah those kids at the end.

Sure, you can't really have the full experience without at least watching Part 1, but there's no part of me that thinks this story could have been pulled off in one film.Įven with all of the cameos and reappearances of beloved characters, there's plenty of new ones as well. Both, The Hunger Games and Hobbit series' have had a rough time closing out their series' with a film that feels whole in itself. I think what's most impressive about this particular installment is that it manages to pull off the 'all pay-off' type of story that most part 2's have struggled with. We begin part 2 still in search of the Horcruxes as well as finding Voldemort's army at its strongest. The Deathly Hallows Part 2 checked off just about everything I could have asked for. To me, the perfect conclusion to a franchise ties up everything that was promised while leaving the audience with an emotionally satisfying ending that leaves the door open for something later.

Harry potter and deathly hallows movie