A Final Bow: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two

July 15th marked a day that would live in infamy. Children and adults came together dressed as wizards, witches, and elves to commemorate a special moment in film history. It had nothing to do with remembering Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man. Fans came together for the last installment to the Harry Potter franchise. After seven novels and eight films, Potter Heads were forced to say goodbye to the boy wizard permanently. Did the franchise end on a good note?

What's the story?

The film picks up immediately where part one left off. After narrowly escaping capture at Malfoy Manor, our heroes find security in the home of Bill and Fleur Weasley. Three horcruxes have been destroyed, yet Harry believes another is hidden in the wizarding bank Gringotts. Griphook, a former Gringotts employee, agrees to help sneak them in for ownership of a significant item. Eventually, their hunt brings them back into the familiar halls of Hogwarts. Voldermort, aware of Harry's current intentions, summons every Death Eater to initiate an attack on the castle. As the forces of darkness advance, Harry and his allies come together to make one final stand against the Dark Lord.

The Result?

As a follower of the novels and films, it was an enjoyable experience. Those with no background in Potter mythology, would find it extremely difficult to follow the plot. However, David Yates brought a giant sense of nostalgia and closure to the final installment. A characteristic that no Potter Head should take for granted. The film didn't capture the same experience as the novel, yet the overarching themes were well translated.

The strongest of the performances came from Alan Rickman. Until the final chapter, never have we understood Severus Snape's hatred for the young protagonist. Once the credits roll, revelations will have audiences pity and respect him.

Tyler's Verdict: 3 1/2 Stars. A respectable ending to a respectable franchise.