Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2

Contains spoilers!

After eight films and ten years Harry Potter has graduated from Hogwarts. And with his graduation we’re finally able to look back on his time and see how the films work in a wider context. However, this is a review only for Deathly Hallows part 2, but as the finale it’s hard not to allude to what has come before.

What has become abundantly clear in this final part is that there are two different sets of viewers for Deathly Hallows part 2, the book readers and the non-book readers. And fortunately/unfortunately I think the events are more aimed at the book readers. For me, as a non-book reader, the film didn't quite hit the emotional highs to round out the whole series. For example, Ron and Hermione are completely sidelined, pushed aside by Harry and his final showdown with Voldemort. And while this may be the case in the books, the ark of the whole saga (in the films) has been that Harry needs his friends. Yes he must rise up, fight Voldemort on his own and fulfill his destiny, but his closest friends should still support him and play a big part in aiding their friend. Or at the very least, play a more integral part in the grander battle. The film also skirts over the important character deaths. Obviously in war there is less time to dwell on death but by showing us none of the deaths as they happen we are refused the opportunity to believe what is at stake, they are just bodies on the ground that seem to be forgotten by the end credits.

All of these shortcomings are a real shame because the film is still very good. Action packed and unrelenting in its depiction of the dark world the series has descended into. Director David Yates proves why he was chosen and has been allowed to direct half of the series, and the continuity and tonal consistency kept in his films has elevated the franchise well above its kid friendly origins. Although, by needing to tick more boxes and cover more ground, the film leaves less room to breath. Half-Blood Prince remains the best film in the series in my opinion, finding a balance perfectly between plot and character development

I want to stress again that this is a good film and with the continuing disappointment of the majority of blockbusters these days it should be commended. But the film does fall short of being great. A feat that it really had the chance of being.