Topic: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

[Dragonfire]

I went to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 this morning.  I was briefly tempted by the midnight showings, but I decided that would be too crazy.  After seeing people lined up 6 hours ahead of time Thursday evening and finding out that some of them had been there all day, I'm glad I didn't go then.  That would have been just a bit too crazy even for me.  It was bad enough today.  The theater was pretty full, though not completely sold out.  There were a lot of kids in the theater, but they were well behaved who actually sat and watched the movie without running up and down the aisles or playing with cell phones.  People weren't talking either.  Seeing this one and the last Potter movie has been a bit of a different experience from seeing other recent movies with large crowds. 

There are a few small things - changes or omissions - that I'm not happy about, but overall, I loved the movie.  It is one of the best of the series and one of the best of the year.  It is a great ending to a great series - though I still have issues with certain things in the previous movies.  While I will still have the books and movies to read and watch again as often as I want, it is still a little depressing that there aren't any more Potter movies to look forward to.  Even when I've been worried something wouldn't be done right, I still looked forward to the movies.

This movie picks up right where the last one ended.  It, along with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 are based on the final book in the Harry Potter series.  These two movies are a bit more connected than some of the previous ones have been.  This is not the movie to jump into the Potter world with.  Start at the beginning.  The plot is entertaining and things are resolved by the end, though a few things get worked out slightly differently because of changes that have been made somewhere along the way.  I like that the movie uses the epilogue from the book, though I've already seen some people complaining about that.  I liked that ending to the book and I liked it here.  Honestly, I would have liked even more details in that part.

Things are changed here and there throughout the movie, which I expected before seeing the movie.  The changes really didn't bother me too much this time.  They weren't as extreme as some of the ones done in previous movies, though once again, some of the explanations suffer.  The movie, like the last one, is depending on the audience having read the books and being able to fill in the missing pieces.  Certain things were left out of earlier movies and pop up with no introduction in this one, which could cause a little confusion for some viewers.  The special effects were done well and things look good overall.  There is more action in this one, though it is broken up by a few things, much like it was in the book.  There is violence, though not too extreme.  I still don't like the snake and it still freaks me out a bit.  Unfortunately for me, the snake is in more scenes in this movie.  I knew that was going to happen, but I still didn't like it.

Since the horcruxes were not properly set up in the sixth movies - that was one of the things that really bugged me about that movie - Harry lacked some important information he needed to try to find them.  I did wonder how Harry would manage without that knowledge.  This movie comes up with an explanation that works, though I don't really like it.  It is sort of a copout to cover up the crappy set up, but it works.  It would have been much better if the horcrux explanation had done properly to begin with in the sixth movie.

The characters are wonderful.  Some that haven't had much to do in the last few movies get some really nice moments.  McGonagall goes into badass mode, but she still takes the time to be giddy over doing a certain spell.  She is just awesome in this movie.  Neville is pretty badass too and he finally gets to shine.  I was worried he would get messed up.  Some things are a little different, but it is good.  Snape is around a bit more, and Alan Rickman is absolutely wonderful in the part.  Bellatrix is still twisted and crazy.  A lot of characters are only briefly seen unfortunately, but that has been an issue in all the movies since there are just so many characters.  The Weasleys are mostly missing, but Molly does get her moment that got applause in the theater I was in.  Voldemort is still one of the most evil villain characters. 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione get the most to do and they have changed the most over the series.  The actors are great in the parts.

The movie does end the series on a high note.  It is definitely one to see, but see the previous movies first.  And read the books.



I did get a review posted on Epinions.  It is a bit longer, but I didn't include spoilers.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

[Dragonfire]

I have a few more things I want to say about the movie and I decided to save them for another post since the first was getting longer.

I'm using the spoiler tags here for a reason.  Do not click before seeing the movie...I'm serious.

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I can't remember if I mentioned it here before or not, but one of the biggest disappointments for me in all the movies was how Snape's memory was handled in movie version of Order of the Phoenix.  It was so rushed, it was just a mess and it lacked the significance it should have had.  Several of Snape's memories are shared in the 7th book and they are extremely important.  During the sixth book, memories tied to Voldemort are shared.  In the movie, most of them are left out.  I read an interview where Yates declared them unnecessary even though they provide important information - like how Voldemort was already going after magical artifacts not long after he graduated Hogwarts.  Once I found out that David Yates was going to be directing both parts of Deathly Hallows, I was really worried that Snape's memories would be screwed up again.  Thankfully that didn't happen.  The memories are a bit condensed and a few bits are left out altogether - which I think was a mistake - but overall, the memory sequence was done very well.  A few new bits are added that seem out of place at first.  I was wondering why in the world it was showing Lily when she died in Snape's memories at first..then as the sequence continues, we see Snape finding her body.  His reaction is heartbreaking and it makes the memory sequence stronger and more powerful.  He's not the aloof, cold, rather scary and intimidating professor.  His heart is breaking.  Lily and Snape meeting as children is shown, but a lot of those moments are condensed.  It is left out completely how Lily found out that Petunia had wanted to go to Hogwarts, which causes Petunia to turn on Lily and disdain magic.  It wouldn't have taken much to show that, but it would have explained so much about Petunia and her attitude toward Lily and Harry.  Overall, the way the memory sequence is handled makes it one of the most touching moments in the movie and the entire series.   

I started off not like Snape because of how he acted when I read the first books.  As the series continued, he got more complex and my feelings about him started to change.  My initial reaction when I read Half=Blood Prince was to hate him, but I did start wondering not long after.  I did suspect before I read the final book that maybe there had been some sort of plan between Dumbledore and Snape.  He has had a few good moments in some of the books, but in many of the movies, he hasn't gotten as much to do.  He is in more of this movie and Alan Rickman is simply amazing in the part.  At times he doesn't get anything to say, but Rickman conveys so much through his expressions.  Snape ends up with some of the most powerful moments in the movie.  Snape is far from perfect and not exactly a hero.  At times, he is a jerk and petty, still jealous and bitter over things that happened years ago..but, like Harry says in the epilogue, he is brave.  Snape is the bravest character in the series.  I'm relieved that it is shown properly in the movie.

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The other main thing I was worried about before seeing the movie was if Neville was going to get his moment when he pulls the sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat and then kills the snake.  It is changed a bit, but Neville still kills the snake.  A couple of new things are added in with Neville that weren't in the book.  Those things didn't really bother me since they fit with what was going on and they added to Neville's developing into a hero.  Neville is wonderful in the movie and I'm so glad he was handled well.  I was afraid he was going to be regulated to bumbling around in the background again.

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Helena Bonaham-Carter is wonderful when Hermione drinks the polyjuice potion to become Bellatrix.  She acts completely different, which is perfect since it is really Hermione.  The crazed look is gone and Bonham-Carter does Hermione really well, even stumbling while trying to walk in the high heeled boots.

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The book has Ron and Hermione telling Harry that they went to the Chamber of Secrets to get fangs from the basalisk skeleton to destroy the Hufflepuff cup.  In the movie, that is shown.  Adding that sequence in didn't bother mie since it did sort of happen in the book...it just took place off the page so to speak.  Ron and Hermione do have their first kiss, but it happens in the Chamber of Secrets instead of the Room of Requirement with Harry watching.  Shortly after that, Ron does get to yell at someone for trying to hurt his girlfriend.  That was kind of sweet.

Ok..I'm done.  At least for now.  I may think of something else to add later.

[Dragonfire]

I went to see it again Saturday night with a friend.  I still love it.  I did notice a few little things that I hadn't the first time I saw it.  A lot of that was with the music playing in different scenes.  I heard little bits of music from the first few movies woven into the new pieces of music.  The older bits were done softly, so if you don't listen closely, you may not pick up on it.  It is very subtle, but I liked it.  I've always thought of the part I heard as part of the main theme since it was the music that played at the beginning of the first few movies.  It may not officially be the main theme. 

[Rogmeister]

I have only Seen the first 3 movies though I do have all the previous movies, buying them as they came out.  I should probably start over and watch them all and then finally see the last movie.  I don't know how quickly I could get through them since I'm not big into long marathons.  Maybe I could try a movie a day for a week...I imagine the new movie will stick around for awhile.

[Dragonfire]

It would be a really good idea to watch the other movies before seeing the last one.  It should be around for a little while..least I would think so. 
I do think it is one that is good to see on the big screen.

[Achim]

I finally went to see this yesterday. I liked it really very much, felt like a proper film and is a great conclusion of the series. There is still excellent quiet moments just as well as large action set pieces. As Marie said, some explanations fall a little short, which I could fill in easier (having read the books) than my friend I went with. It's been since its release that I read the last book, so I didn't notice the modified stuff as much. On the other hand, I actually understood the explanation about the connection between Harry and Voldemort and all the things Dumbledore (wow, what an elaborate scheme!) had set up much better than after reading the book.

My favorite moment: McGonagall kicking butt

A few other things that I noticed:

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• The Gryffindor sword disappered from Gringotts, but I didn't notice where it reappeared. Was that even explained, or did it really just suddenly pop up in somebody's hand?
• The setup for the resurrection stone was underdeveloped. Not only should it have been mentioned again, but also the way it was used was a bit awkward. ...it is enough that he touches it, so then he can just drop it...?
• Was there seven horcruxes in the movie(s)? Were they all shown/explained to be destroyed?
• A fun scene in the book, the final scene at the train station garnered more laughs than were intended...

Rgarding Marie's spoilered comments:

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I didn't mind the condensed version of the memories. I think they got across Snape's feelings and motivations just fine. More is always better, but the final book is already a 4hours+ movie...and it's not even the thickest book (the thickest one should have been two movies as well).

Somehow I always believed in Snape being a good guy, now matter how much Rowling showed him do appalling things. I always suspected it will be turned around at the last minute.

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Strange, I actually felt like neville's part in the books was bigger and cut down for the movie I really enjoyed him being more important than you'd suspect at first. That is one thing that is very likable about th ewhole series, that Potter isn't a superhero, but he always needs the help from others. In fact, at times he is more like a catalyst or enabler and many of the tasks are completed by the others.

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This have been some of my favorite scenes, when the polyjuice is used. Already in teh previous (or sixth) film they had a scene like that and it was great fun to watch there as well.

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The Chamber of Secrets scene is great. I had forgotten it was not in the book and agree it was a great addition here. That first kiss came very natural this way.

[Dragonfire]

I finally went to see this yesterday. I liked it really very much, felt like a proper film and is a great conclusion of the series. There is still excellent quiet moments just as well as large action set pieces. As Marie said, some explanations fall a little short, which I could fill in easier (having read the books) than my friend I went with. It's been since its release that I read the last book, so I didn't notice the modified stuff as much. On the other hand, I actually understood the explanation about the connection between Harry and Voldemort and all the things Dumbledore (wow, what an elaborate scheme!) had set up much better than after reading the book.

My favorite moment: McGonagall kicking butt

I loved McGonagall in this movie.  She was awesome.  McGonagall in full ass kicking mode is a site to see.

A few other things that I noticed:

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• The Gryffindor sword disappered from Gringotts, but I didn't notice where it reappeared. Was that even explained, or did it really just suddenly pop up in somebody's hand?
• The setup for the resurrection stone was underdeveloped. Not only should it have been mentioned again, but also the way it was used was a bit awkward. ...it is enough that he touches it, so then he can just drop it...?
• Was there seven horcruxes in the movie(s)? Were they all shown/explained to be destroyed?
• A fun scene in the book, the final scene at the train station garnered more laughs than were intended...

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1. Neville pulled the sword of Gryffindor out of the Sorting Hat.  Just before Voldemort and his followers walked into that ...courtyard with Hagrid carrying Harry, Neville was walking around the rubble and found the Sorting Hat.  If you watch closely, as he is brushing dirt off it, there is a bit of a glint seen...making me think that he knew before he confronted Voldemort that the sword was in there.  Neville still uses the sword to kill the snake, but it was changed around a little bit.  In the book, he does it in front of everyone..right about the time that they realize Harry is still alive.  In the movie, Neville pulls the sword out in front of everyone, but he doesn't get the snake at that point.  He charges Voldemort, and then get knocked back into the castle by a spell.  A few minutes later, he wakes up with the sword near him.  Then he manages to turn up just in time when the snake was going after Ron and Hermione and he kills it.

2. The resurrection stone, as well as the other Deathly Hallows weren't dealt with properly.  It doesn't even come out that Harry's invisibility cloak is one of them.  I think the stone was still part of the ring in the book, and Harry had to turn it a certain way to be able to see his parents, Sirius, and Lupin.  Breaking contact with the ring ended it in the book too.  In the movie Harry just touches the stone and it does what it is suppose to..that definitely could have been handled better..though I did like the scene once he could see his parents, Sirius, and Lupin.

3. I think all the horcruxes were shown in the movies..and accounted for.  Though I'm not sure how clear they made some of them.
The first was the diary from the second movie.  The ring that the resurrection stone was part of was the second one destroyed..by Dumbledore before the events of Half-Blood Prince.  But not before the curse started that was slowly killing him.  The locket that they got from Umbridge in Part 1 was one.  That was the only one they found in the Part 1 and they went into Part 2 clueless as to what the others could be because of the set up.  The cup from Bellatrix's vault was one.  The disdem that Harry found in the room of requirement was one.  Nagini was the last one that Voldemort knew about.  Harry ended up being one by accident because of how the killing spell rebounded when Voldemort tried to kill Harry.  Voldemort's soul was actually split in 8 pieces...1 piece for each horcrux, and one bit left in Voldemort himself.  He just intended to have his soul in 7 pieces total..so he had made 6 hrocruxes.

4. I liked the final scene.  I know some didn't.  It just helped....conclude things better overall for me.  Though I would have liked more details there too.  lol

Rgarding Marie's spoilered comments:

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I didn't mind the condensed version of the memories. I think they got across Snape's feelings and motivations just fine. More is always better, but the final book is already a 4hours+ movie...and it's not even the thickest book (the thickest one should have been two movies as well).

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I think the memories are done very well overall.  I just thought they could have shown just a tad more of Lily and Snape together before getting to Hogwarts...and I would have liked it shown more definitely that Petunia had wanted to go to Hogwarts..and that where her behavior came from.  Just another minute or two overall really.
And I agree, Order of the Phoenix ideally should have been 2 movies...at the very least, it should have been longer instead of hacked to pieces.

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Somehow I always believed in Snape being a good guy, now matter how much Rowling showed him do appalling things. I always suspected it will be turned around at the last minute.

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In the first several books especially, I didn't care that much for Snape.  Yes he kept being shown to do good things, but he was also just so...nasty to Harry.  After about book 4 I think it was, I started liking him a bit, even with his nasty moments.  I was ..uncertain about him in much of Half-Blood Prince because of how he was acting..and that unbreakable vow he made with Draco's mother.  It didn't take long after I finished the book that I started doubting what had happened.  By the time the last book came out, I was convinced that Snape and Dumbledore had it planned.  Even though he was a more minor character in several of the books and movies, he is vitally important to the overall story.  I do think he comes across a bit better in the movies than he did in the books..and I like that.  That makes it seem like he did change in the years since Lily's death instead of just acting out of a promise made to Dumbledore for the most part.  

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Strange, I actually felt like neville's part in the books was bigger and cut down for the movie I really enjoyed him being more important than you'd suspect at first. That is one thing that is very likable about th ewhole series, that Potter isn't a superhero, but he always needs the help from others. In fact, at times he is more like a catalyst or enabler and many of the tasks are completed by the others.

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In Half-Blood Prince and even Part 1, Neville was left was very little to do.  It doesn't come out as much in the movie how much ...trouble Neville has been making at Hogwarts, trying to fight the new teachers and all that.  It would have been nice to hear in the movie about his grandmother fighting off Death Eaters and then going into hiding.  Anyway, I love Neville and how much he has been allowed to grow.  Since more of the details about him were left out of the earlier movies - Order of the Phoenix in particular - I was really worried how he would be used in this movie.  I really liked what he got to do.  He did get a few more short scenes.  Like when he blows up that covered bridge.  By the way, did you catch the reference to the fact that Seamus had made something blowup in all the previous movies..usually something going wrong in class.  

I've liked how Harry didn't do it all on his own like some sort of all powerful character too.  It makes it more believable that he would get help from others at times..either in getting information or actually in the fighting.  It is sort of like Harry helps to bring out the best of those around him.  Ron ends up doing some pretty powerful spells as a result of doing things with Harry and helping him.  That is shared more in the books..like in the 4th one when Hermione helps Harry learn all sorts of spells he might need for the tournament - but it still comes out at times in the movie.  And Neville has been motivated by Harry fighting against Voldemort.

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This have been some of my favorite scenes, when the polyjuice is used. Already in teh previous (or sixth) film they had a scene like that and it was great fun to watch there as well.

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I liked the polyjuice scenes in the other movies as well.  Though they didn't really explain in these last few movies that they had to provide the clothes themselves.  In the book it is said that they managed to swipe robes when they were at the Malfoy mansion..which Hermione used when she played Bellatrix.  It is so funny how Hermione struggles to be nasty like Bellatrix and can't walk in the shoes right.

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The Chamber of Secrets scene is great. I had forgotten it was not in the book and agree it was a great addition here. That first kiss came very natural this way.

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Yes that extra scene works very well and didn't irritate me.  It makes sense and at least refers to something mentioned in the book.  Not like that freaking attack on the Burrow that came out of nowhere in HalfBlood Prince.  Even though the kiss was different from how it was in the book, I think in some ways it ends up being sweeter.  Ron and Hermione get to have their moment alone and it feels more intimate and sweet..instead of being interrupted by Harry who is a bit embarrassed to witness it.

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I think I forgot to mention this before.  I noticed another change with the castle...all those wide staircases that seemed to go on for ever.  Those were not show like that before.  Yes there were staircases, but they different, and they moved.  These just stayed put and didn't seem to go anywhere in particular.  They seemed a little out of place to me.  But that didn't bother me too much.

[Achim]

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2. The resurrection stone, as well as the other Deathly Hallows weren't dealt with properly.  It doesn't even come out that Harry's invisibility cloak is one of them.  I think the stone was still part of the ring in the book

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I think the cloak was briefly mentioned during a conversation, where they were recounting the horcruxes with with someone.

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By the way, did you catch the reference to the fact that Seamus had made something blowup in all the previous movies..usually something going wrong in class.

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No... but now I will pay more attention when I rewatch them next yea on Blu-ray. That is a cute little payoff

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It is so funny how Hermione struggles to be nasty like Bellatrix and can't walk in the shoes right.

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Bonham Carter's finest moments in the films...

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I think I forgot to mention this before.  I noticed another change with the castle...all those wide staircases that seemed to go on for ever.  Those were not show like that before.  Yes there were staircases, but they different, and they moved.  These just stayed put and didn't seem to go anywhere in particular.  They seemed a little out of place to me.  But that didn't bother me too much.

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Haha, yes! There was one scene where I elected them to move and was slightly disappointed when they didn't

[MEJHarrison]

I almost went to see this last night.  Even spent the day watching the previous two.  Then our free tickets fell through.  So we're going to try again next week.

[Dragonfire]

I hope you get to see it soon..and like it when you see it.

[Dragonfire]

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I think the cloak was briefly mentioned during a conversation, where they were recounting the horcruxes with with someone.

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I can't remember for sure how much was said about the cloak in Part 1.  I think just that an invisibility cloak was one of the Deathly Hallows.  At the beginning of this one, Harry talks to Mr. Ollivander and he talks some about the Deathly Hallows..again an invisibility cloak is mentioned.  It just is never said that Harry's cloak is the one that is a Deathly Hallow instead of being just a ...well..normal invisibility cloak.  I don't remember it coming out that Harry is a descendant of one of the brothers from the story about the Hallows either.

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No... but now I will pay more attention when I rewatch them next yea on Blu-ray. That is a cute little payoff

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That happens when McGonagall tells Neville to blow up that bridge. When Neville asks how to do it, she tells him to ask Mr. Finnigan because he had a previous proclivity for pyrotechnics.  So it is sort of another cool McGonagall moment.

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Bonham Carter's finest moments in the films...

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Definitely.  It really seemed like it was a completely different person.  The crazed look is gone from her eyes.  She looks like someone who isn't confident with what they are doing and worried about being caught.  It was wonderful

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Haha, yes! There was one scene where I elected them to move and was slightly disappointed when they didn't

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Me too.  lol  It is a minor thing really, but the more I think about it, the more I want to know where those wide staircases that just keep going came from.  And why didn't they move?? lol 

[Achim]

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I can't remember for sure how much was said about the cloak in Part 1.  I think just that an invisibility cloak was one of the Deathly Hallows.  At the beginning of this one, Harry talks to Mr. Ollivander and he talks some about the Deathly Hallows..again an invisibility cloak is mentioned.  It just is never said that Harry's cloak is the one that is a Deathly Hallow instead of being just a ...well..normal invisibility cloak.  I don't remember it coming out that Harry is a descendant of one of the brothers from the story about the Hallows either.

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I always thought that cloaks were rather rare and based on that made the immediate conenction that the horcrux must be Harry's...

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That happens when McGonagall tells Neville to blow up that bridge. When Neville asks how to do it, she tells him to ask Mr. Finnigan because he had a previous proclivity for pyrotechnics.  So it is sort of another cool McGonagall moment.

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I meant, I know when it was referenced in this film, I just didn't get the reference. Meaning, I didn't really know that he blew stuff up in all other 6 or 7 films...

[Dragonfire]

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I always thought that cloaks were rather rare and based on that made the immediate conenction that the horcrux must be Harry's...

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I can't remember if it is said in the movies that the cloaks are rare.  I'm not sure if other cloaks are mentioned in earlier movies either..Hmm...  I do remember in a few of the books, other cloaks being mentioned.  It may have been in Order of the Phoenix, that Mad-Eye had a cloak and someone was using it with their work for the Order.  It isn't made out in the books that everyone has one, but there are others out there.  From the books, I remember someone talking about having to mend an invisibility cloak...Harry's never needs mending.  I think most of the references to other cloaks were made in the books.

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I meant, I know when it was referenced in this film, I just didn't get the reference. Meaning, I didn't really know that he blew stuff up in all other 6 or 7 films...

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Ah. Ok.  Sorry.  I misunderstood you.  I remember in earlier movies Seamus making things blow up by accident, usually when he's trying to do a spell.  In the first movie, when they are trying to learn to make the feather levitate, he basically blows it up, leaving his face covered in black..and his hair was sort of standing up.  In another movie - maybe the second one, I can't remember for sure now - he was trying to turn something into wine at the table in the Great Hall.  Whatever was in his cup sort of blew up in his face, leaving black all over it again.  I think he was shown having things blow up in potions class a few times.  I remember one for sure.  He was looking into his cauldron while stirring it and it blew up in his face.   I think there were a few others shown too, I just can't remember for sure at the moment.  They weren't huge explosions, but he did have things blow up.  Even though I read the books again recently, I can't remember how much of that was in them...I know it was mentioned different times students having trouble in potions...melting cauldrons and stuff like that.  I think a few minor explosions were mentioned in the books.  He really wasn't shown in Part 1 I don't think..maybe in that short scene on the train on the way to school when Neville stands up and says Harry isn't there...But I'm thinking Seamus may have had something blow up in each of the other movies.  I'd say 3 or 4 of them at least.  I know I'll be watching closer for more of his little accidents when I watch the movies again.

[Dragonfire]

I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 again...this makes 4 times.  I did see it in 3D this time.

[Achim]

I did see it in 3D this time.

How do you like the 3D? AFAIK it was retrofitted...