thedriveintheatre

This spells war!

So this is it, folks. This is the end of the end, the final conclusion to the epic saga that lasted a decade. As of writing, the Potter series has beaten Bond and Star Wars to becoming the highest-grossing franchise of all-time. The Potter-maniacs have turned out in droves to send Harry and friends off on his swan song, and oh, what a magnificent farewell it is. David Yates has pulled out all the stops to send off the last movie with a bang, but will it cast its spell over the fans for one last time?

Well, it certainly did for me. While the first part of Deathly Hallows was leisurely and meandering, this one charges ahead relentlessly. Yet it manages to cover all the bases and tie up loose ends by curtain call. All of Harry’s allies return, some in spectral form, as well as some of his old enemies. When we left him last year, his arch nemesis Voldemort has just uncovered one of the Deathly Hallows, the Elder Wand from Dumbledore’s tomb. Meanwhile, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermoine are hunting down the last of Voldemort’s horcruxes in the hope of defeating his immortality. There’s a thrilling heist in Gringott’s Bank for one of these horcruxes, before the last two-thirds are devoted to the Battle of Hogwarts.

The visual effects are top-notch; one of the most indelible images is of the trio escaping on the back of a large white dragon, among many others. This is one movie which definitely deserves to be seen on the big-screen, and I was fortunate enough to see it on a large-format theatre at my local cinema chain. The camera swoops through some breathtaking aerial shots of our beloved Hogwarts as it is reduced to ashes and burning ember, while lingering on the faces of the characters as they confront their destinies. Alexandre DeSplat’s music also deserves commendation for bringing the sombre and dark tone of the scenes to life.

No one is spared - long-time characters drop like pixies; at times I wished they would’ve given some of the deaths the weight they deserve, but that would weigh down this already morose movie. The supporting cast also get their chance to shine - Luna Lovegood, one of my favourite minor characters, provides Harry a few answers with her quietly perceptive observations, while McGonagall displays an unexpected show of courage. Snape, one of Potter’s enemies throughout the series, is both redeemed and damned in one beautifully-crafted flashback sequence. And Neville Longbottom, the perpetual loser and outcast that Harry befriends, finally gets his moment of glory during the heartpounding finale.

I have only read the book up to the point where Harry finds Godric’s Hollow, so I literally went into this installment blind about the ending. If you’re a newcomer to this series, you shouldn’t really be starting with this movie, as barely any exposition is given this time. It is assumed you are familiar with the characters and the rules that govern Harry’s world. If you are a longtime fan or have read the books, there will be the inevitable ommisions and reductions during the adaptation process. I asked a friend who accompanied me about any differences between the book, and it’s been a long time since he’s read it, but he said for the most part they kept the story intact. He did add the caveat that a lot of the details in the Battle of Hogwarts were left out (like Professor Sprout’s use of her plants to fight, for instance), so that’s something to bear in mind regarding trueness-to-source expectations. I might also add there were some parts I was confused about and that I wished they provided further exposition, such as the gruesome figure beneath the chair on Platform 9 3/4, or how Harry managed the impossible just before the showdown.

I highly recommend this movie, not just on the basis of it being a cultural phenomenon outside of James Cameron blockbusters, but also because it is a cinematic experience to behold. If I have one qualm, it does get too serious and emotionally-draining at times to the point of parody, but for the most part, it achieves the appropriate emotional response from the viewer. Personally, we had a grand time laughing whenever Voldy appeared because we found his noseless face hilarious and we couldn’t stop thinking of his ‘Nyah’ screams from the trailer. But I winced and teared when it came to the untimely demises of the characters, and it was bittersweet to hear a refrain of ‘Leaving Hogwarts’ during the final shot.

The books and movies were a formative part of my childhood - I will never forget the wonderful memories that Rowling and the directors of all eight movies have given me, and I am grateful that this movie brings it all home on such a fitting note.

It’s been a great journey, Harry. Mischief managed.