DVD Reviews

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

• Rating:
• Director: David Yates
• Starring: Alan Rickman
• Details: UK/USA/130mins 12A

Stuffed with countless peripheral characters and the type of dense plotting that would put any other fantasy franchise to shame, anyone who hasn't read the phenomenally successful books these films are based on probably gave up a long time ago. That said, those fans who have followed this series with incredible loyalty - after a couple of inane opening efforts - will have their patience rewarded with this final film's emotional punch. Still far from a great, or even a good film, it offers the type of satisfactory closure to a series not seen since Lord of the Rings.
We first meet Harry, Harmonie and Ron as they bury Dobby after the heartwrenching conclusion to the first part of the final Potter chapter. But Dobby won't be the last familiar character to die, as an epic battle between the nice sorts on Team Harry and the horrible swines on Team Voldemort is about to kick off. It's revelations galore as the final film answers long gestating questions, while setting up a violent stand-off between Harry and his no-nosed foe, Lord Voldemort. Bring your tissues.
Director Yates has been on board now for four instalments and is a dab hand weaving his way around this intricate universe. The core actors have grown up on these films, and all of them give their best performances to date as fully fledged adults, but it's still difficult to pick any future stars from the group - Watson has the best bash at movie stardom. As a film it's undoubtedly loyal to its source, but would've surely worked better with the shaving of some characters, which may have streamlined the plot a bit more. That may be why even the smallest roles are played by recognisable British mushes.
Such is the success of this franchise, the filmmakers have never even really attempted a recap on the previous film, or offered any regurgitated character info for newbies. These are films for fans of the books, and it's assumed that anyone fully on board has their own private diploma from Hogwarts - those fans are vast enough for it not to matter. Those that fall into the cinema mildly familiar with the characters should enjoy some tense moments and grandiose staging, but ultimately find themselves lost with the barrage of characters and subplots all injected to come together neatly at the lavishly staged conclusion.
A fitting end to the series, fans will adore it, while those who haven't read the books will be as lost as ever.

Review by Mike Sheridan