film review: harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part II, the concluding chapter in the ever-so popular franchise, is already set to break some records – it will be released on 748 screens this week – the largest amount in Australia’s cinematic history.
The film begins where the previous installment finished with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) obtaining the most powerful wand in the world from Dumbeldore’s grave. Meanwhile, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their mission to destroy the remaining Horcruxes, which in effect, will kill Voldemort once and for all. But with the ‘elder wand’ clasped in his hand, Voldemort sets out to attack Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as part of his plan to overtake the Wizard and Muggle worlds.
While the film starts off slowly, it picks up quite quickly, as the various sub-plots and characters add a level of complexity to the story. Viewers share some innocent kisses between Ginny and Harry, and Ron and Hermione, and there’s even a blossoming romance between the geek turned-hero Neville and the bizarre Luna. But it’s always clear that the backbone of the story lies in Harry’s heroic quest against evil – with a universal (and slightly clichéd) message at the film’s core – while there may be darkness that lurks within us all, we have the power to overcome it.
Even though many plot devices from the previous films are swept over in a condensed flashback sequence, and while Harry’s sacrificial ‘destiny’ is short-lived, the film is visually stunning, and it manages to end on a high note. As most readers are aware, it’s set 20 years later where an ironically young looking Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione farewell their own children on Platform 9 ¾ as they begin their own journey. This suggests the possibility of a whole new franchise – a conclusion that will most likely please those die-hard fans.
It seems that no other film in Australia is willing to open against this title, as it’s the only new film to be released in cinemas this week. I haven’t kept up with all of the films in the series, nor have I read all of the novels, but I was pleasantly surprised by this entertaining final installment.
