Member review

The long awaited big-screen adaptation of the final book in J K Rowling’s epic fantasy series – “Harry Potter” – arrived in 2010; or at least the first part of it. The split was understandable, as the hardcover book boasted a 759 page count, but it still annoyed fans: waiting almost a year between films wasn’t the most appealing thought. Personally, I had never bothered to watch the final film, as I was never the biggest fan of the series. Saying that, let’s get into the review.

Sitting at the back of a room stuffed full of people, trying to crane my neck to see a whiteboard and listening to other people munch on chocolate biscuits, I realised that my viewing of the film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was not going to be the most enjoyable moment of my life. Also providing the fact that I hadn’t seen any of the films in over five years, the future seemed full of confused glances towards my friend – the human version of IMBD. So – as the famed soundtrack started up – I found myself gazing at the screen in giddy excitement. This was puzzling – to say the least – and, while my eyes were glued to the gritty British landscapes, I found my fingers coiled around the edge of my chair. After years of distaste towards the famed series, I was finally feeling the enthusiasm.

The story kicks in with a few sprinkled reminders of the previous film, and then we’re thrust into the action and adventure that the bespectacled hero is known for. We follow the trio of childhood friends on their mission to destroy the enchanted objects that give He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named (*cough* Voldemort *cough*) his immorality. Soon enough we find ourselves back at the esteemed Hogwarts – now under the control of ‘Severus Snape’ – as the heroes hide with a congregation of old friends. After shooing Snape from the school and locking the members of the Slytherin house in the dungeons, things seemed to be looking up. Keyword; “seemed”. The students of Hogwarts found themselves desperately fending off the attacks of Lord Voldemort himself. You could say it was a pretty dire situation; no one would judge you.

Overall, the film left me satisfied; even though I wished there was a bit more ‘jaw-dropping action’. My opinion of the series had changed, and I found myself yearning to watch the first seven films. As for the acting, I found myself feeling every emotion the characters felt. The effects were alright, although I felt that other films from the same time period had better. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was a great film, but I could allocate it 4 stars.