Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Director: David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon and Ralph Fiennes
DVD release: 16 November 2011
Rated: M

The Potter Circus has rolled into town for the big finale of the series, one of the most successful ever to hit the cinema; no longer with the uneasy feeling the franchise would continue until Harry was wheeled into a wizard’s retirement village. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 opened across 748 screens in Australia, earning over $7 million that day and so creating a record. There’s been so much hype about the picture, you’re almost frightened to see it in case of disappointment.

Part two doesn’t get off to a flying start. It begins with a couple of conversations before the action starts, but then seldom stops for breath. However there’s no recap from part one, already quite a few months behind us. Those not familiar with the book may flounder for a while trying to remember what happened in the previous episode and pick up the threads of the plot. In fact, knowledge of the books would certainly clarify those more obscure aspects of the continuing story. I imagine most of the potential audience would have read it anyway.

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) continue with their attempt to destroy the remaining three magical Horcruxes containing pieces of the soul belonging to diabolically evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). The destruction of these Horcruxes would end his immortality.

Learning of their quest, Voldemort puts Hogwarts under a horrific siege, so things are looking pretty poorly for our heroes. Time is of the essence. Harry, seeing his colleagues sacrificing themselves for him in the devastating loss of life from Voldemort’s incessant attack, has to consider making his own ultimate sacrifice for the defeat of the evil one. After a decade in the cinema, the final duel between good and evil is at hand.

Director of the last four Harry Potter movies, David Yates takes a rather dark view of proceedings and gets out the Gothic brush. This he does well - there are admirable set pieces in the new adventure. It’s hard to conceive of anything more devastating than the bombardment of Hogwarts using sophisticated special effects to pound the beautiful Gothic building to pieces. Cinematography and production design are of a high order, with clever use of perspective and depth perception. Especially effective is the trio’s visit to the Gringott’s Bank with its marvellous Dickensian quality (with Hermoine masquerading as Bellatrix Lastrange (Helena Bonham Carter) complete with the flyaway hairdo). It’s a delightful send-up, followed by a wild stomach-churning roller coaster ride to the vault.

Daniel Radcliffe seems a little subdued this time, older and wiser now. He brings a touch of reflective melancholy to the role, feeling perhaps daunted and inadequate against the awesome power of Voldemort. The character Radcliffe has created is memorable. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson offer strong support as usual, along with other faces which have become synonymous with the story. Ralph Fiennes (The Reader) repeats his enthusiastic portrayal of the wicked Lord Voldemort, with digitally amputated nose and a rather large pet snake. Fiennes almost hisses with venom for Harry, like the villain from a Victorian melodrama.

Dear old Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey) has never looked more alive than as Professor McGonagall, savouring the pleasure of fighting back with alacrity, using her wand to blast spectacular flames about the set. There are surprising revelations about Severus Snape, played with sinister relish by Alan Rickman, making such long pauses in his portentous delivery you wonder if he’s having a seniors’ moment. He takes his cue from John Hurt (Melancholia) earlier in the film, munching his lines with Shakespearean intensity. Importantly we learn a truth about the mysterious and menacing Snape, which leads to one of the most moving scenes in the series.

The Harry Potter franchise has provided long term work for the supporting cast, mostly British character thespians Michael Gambon, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Cultrane, Miriam Margolyes, David Bradley and friends. The quality of these actors contribute to its success, many looking the ten years older when you see clips from the first film. The three heroes who started out children now clearly young adults, Rupert and Emma even sharing a moderately passionate kiss.

J. K. Rowling draws heavily on fairytales and ancient legends for her dragons, goblins, magic swords, even tears in a bottle, happily mixed with wizardry and a coming-of-age story. It’s been a formula for making millions.

The coda at the end of the film takes us right back to the beginning of the Potter saga, a fitting way to leave Harry, one of the most endearing and enduring screen heroes. Some younger audience members may have a respectful tear in their eyes. The final Potter film remains the best of all, enchanted entertainment spectacularly brought to the screen.

John Bale