Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows - Part 2

[Matt]

Hey Potter fans,

You may want to head over to ThinkMcFlyThink.com and read a critical retrospective of the franchise by a talented young writer.

http://thinkmcflythink.squarespace....rospective-on-the-harry-potter-franchise.html

They actually have a bunch of Potter articles up right now (including a Movie Moan podcast dedicated to the franchise). Definitely worth checking out! Be sure to comment!

 

[Donut]

I know they were going for the shock factor when Harry woke up in Hagrids arms but I think they could have gotten away with Voldemort & Harry exchanging a few words in front of everybody to help explain to the characters what just happened. Something like

Voldemort - I thought you were dead

Harry - I was but then an old friend helped me come back

Voldemort - & Voldemort would be smart enough to figure out that it was Dumbledore

Then Harry does his attack the snake & running thingy. I think Voldemort would have been shocked enough that they could have got away with a few words like that

 

[chamber-music]

 

[John McGuirk]

It was okay. I don't see how this is the end-all, be-all of movies... haha.

 

[Marvolo]

That makes absolutely no sense. But then again, they are just movies. Their childhood should have ended when the last book came out. I love the movies and all. I've watched them countless times but they certainly don't live up to the books, emotionally.

I've been reading the books since 1998, but the PS movie is what made me a hardcore fan. It blew my mind in a way the books could not. So if not for the movies I would have remained a casual fan. I love books but movies are my passion. This film is a culmination of my childhood.

 

[Drizzle]

Here are my thoughts:

For the past 12 years, Harry Potter has been a huge part of my life. I grew up with him. I was 11 years old when I read the first book and I was 18 when I read the last one. I loved each and every one of them. When the last book came out, it was bittersweet. The series had come to an end, but on the bright side, there were still two movies (technically three) left. And now that dreaded day is here.

Spoiler

I was at the midnight showing in IMAX. The crowd went crazy for the TDKR trailer. Apart from that, they clapped at too many inappropriate scenes. Like when Harry first gets back to Hogwarts through the portrait and all the students clap, I guess my audience decided "Oh, they're clapping. We should clap too." They also clapped when McGonagall said that Seamus had a talent for blowing things up. I cheered at a few scenes myself, though. Specifically, the Ron/Hermione kiss, Molly vs. Bellatrix and Neville killing Nagini (the last one got more of a reaction than Voldemort dying). What was also interesting was that for about a good twenty minutes from the time Snape died to when Voldemort "killed" Harry, all you could hear throughout the theater were people sobbing. I must admit, I did get a bit teary eyed during the Snape scenes and the forest scene. Seeing Lupin and Tonks like that shocked me even though I knew it was coming. They looked like they suffered a lot, especially Lupin. Fred's death didn't effect me as much as I thought it would. They should have actually shown it.

Snape's memory might have been the best scene in the film for me. Really powerful acting from Alan Rickman, who finally unleashed his talent. I've always thought he was a bit subdued in the previous films but he completely owned the movie. I also liked the way they digitally de-aged him, because it looked better than what they did for the epilogue (though I didn't mind that makeup). I also thought that Neville stole a lot of the movie. I loved his speech that he made. And I was so happy when he killed Nagini. For a second, I thought they were going to have Ron and Hermione kill him. Molly vs. Bellatrix was awesome. I liked how Molly defeated her without using Avada Kedavra. So much stuff in the film was so awesome that I could forgive it if it didn't follow the book verbatim. I liked the epilogue. The makeup wasn't that bad, and I loved that Harry speaking to Albus Severus was directly from the book.

I don't have any complaints other than the fact that the battle was glossed over a bit and the ending was a bit too abrupt. I still think people should have witnessed Harry defeating Voldemort. Also, they shouldn't have had the back of Ron's head blocking Hermione so much during the kiss. The 3D in the film was only worth noting during the Gringotts scene and the Room of Requirement scene. So I'll be sticking with 2D from now on, even though Real-D has those 3D Potter glasses.

As a whole, I will not acknowledge this as its own film. For me, DH 1 and 2 are just one huge four hour film. And IMO (and I'm sure others agree), Deathly Hallows is the best Potter film. A fitting end to a captivating film series, and a fitting end to a decade's worth of a magical experience. But it will live on. Thanks to Dan, Rupert, Emma, the whole cast and crew, and especially J.K. Rowling.

 

[Tony Stark]

I know they were going for the shock factor when Harry woke up in Hagrids arms but I think they could have gotten away with Voldemort & Harry exchanging a few words in front of everybody to help explain to the characters what just happened. Something like

Voldemort - I thought you were dead

Harry - I was but then an old friend helped me come back

Voldemort - & Voldemort would be smart enough to figure out that it was Dumbledore

Then Harry does his attack the snake & running thingy. I think Voldemort would have been shocked enough that they could have got away with a few words like that

I don't remember the exact dialogue but that's exactly what happened in the book. I was a little dissapointed in how the movie handled it, because in the book it's much more powerful. Harry taunts Voldemort infront of all the death eaters calling him Tom. There's alot of dialogue between the two, and Voldemort tries using the killing curse on harry and it's rebouned on him.

 

[Tony Stark]

Hey two quick questions for the Harry Potter fanatics:

I have read the books, but only one time each book, and I haven't read them since DH came out in bookstores...

so my questions:

1. Is it ever explained how Harry Potter always had the invisibility cloak in his possession throughout the entire series? So Potter always had the cloak, one of the Deathly Hallows... but he only gets the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone in the last book???

2. Did the book Epilogue ever explain what Harry, Ron, and Hermione did with their lives? All I remember is they had kids/got married. What about their professions? I could see Hermione becoming like Professor McGonagal (spelled that wrong!), but I can't figure out what Harry/Ron would do.

Thanks!

You remember in the last movie they are in the cemetary in Godrick's Hollow and Hermiony sees a grave with the name "Ignotus Paravel" with the Deathly Hallows marker on the grave stone? Later Luna's father says that Ignotus was one of the people who the "three brothers" story was based on, and he was the one who had the invisibility cloak. Harry is a distant relative of Ignotus and the cloak is passed down from generation to generation and then to Harry.

 

[ALP]

That makes absolutely no sense. But then again, they are just movies. Their childhood should have ended when the last book came out. I love the movies and all. I've watched them countless times but they certainly don't live up to the books, emotionally.

The last book was the closure to my childhood. The movie was the epilogue!

And this was the first time I have ever experienced people clapping during a movie.

 

[Tony Stark]

The culmination of their childhood....for the past couple of days I've heard this phrase mentioned over and over this past couple of weeks. I will not take anything away from anyone who grew up watching these films and reading the books. Im sure its a big thing. I know as a kid watching ROTJ was a big thing....however the only way this movie is the culmination of your childhood is unless your Harry Potter

Sounds like you and I are around the same age, so I understand what you're thinking. ROTJ was very different because before that the term "saga" was really used for novels, not motion pictures. Sure there were the Planet of the Apes movies and various other sequels, but I don't think anyone used the term "saga" with these movies.

Since that time we've had several other franchise movies that have done much the same thing. I do think that Potter is a unique effort in that it was a 10 year span between the first and last film, and numerous directors along the way with the actors growing up on screen.

We've seen child actors grow up in episodic television, but to my mind, I don't know if any effort has been done like this to date.

It's strange because in the span of the series, my oldest son was a baby when the first one came out, and he'll be 10 in September. My younger two weren't even born until the 4th and 5th movies respectively, yet they were also impacted by it. My oldest is just now reading the books so he was much more influenced by the movies, and the lego video game, than the books.

It's also unique in that the literary work wasn't even finished when they started this thing. Which is normal I guess in ordinary script writing, but when doing a book to film translation, doesn't happen too often. We saw them make an effort with Eragon, but that flamed out pretty quickly.

While I think Lord of the Rings was probably a bigger undertaking, and a more daunting task, because of how the writing was, it didn't nessisarily translate to film directly, without many edits and ommissions. But these movies present an entirely different challenge. How do you get three inexperienced child actors to stick through the whole thing, and how do you even know that they'll want to do this all the way? I read that Emma Watson had a fight and nearly left the film because she wanted to go to college, and the studio wouldn't have it. She called their bluff and they went along with it.

While the movies have been of varying quality (albeit no stinker in the group), and I feel Yates was not really fit for the franchise, somehow they pulled it off.

 

[kickass]

People really need to stop applauding at the end of movies. Do they think the images on screen can hear them?! People who do this should simply be shipped off to North Korea along with bicyclists who hog the road. The only time to clap at the end of a film is if the makers of the movie are on stage afterwards. If not, SILENCE IS ****ING GOLDEN!

I hate when people complain about this very issue. People cheer and clap during a movie because the film has pushed them to be moved and react to it. People jump and lose their **** when their watching a Football game in their own livingrooms, even when they're all alone, and they didn't even buy a ticket to the game. How is that any different? The rush of emotion and appreciattion moves people to react. Does anyone force themselves to clap at a movie? Does anyone force themselves to cry at a movie? People aren't doing it to piss anyone off.

Why do people go to bars to watch a Hockey game? Everyone yells and cheers and rambles like nuts. Is that ok because they're in a public place to do so? Not everyone there cares for the game. I would hope everyone buying a ticket to a movie (especially if it's a movie EVENT) actually cares to be there. What about when (for example) they release a poster or trailer for a movie you're reeeeeeeally looking forward to and the second you see it on the net you orgasm? Surely moans are being made, yes? Couldn't a smile just do? I'm sure no one minds the "That's amazing!" you're saying at your computer screen when you're actually all alone in the room.

Another obvious point I don't think anyone has ever brought up........there are certain, if not many, scenes in movies that are made specifically to give an audience reaction. Therefore the film is inviting its audience to participate in the journey.

The worst is when you're sitting beside someone who has their arms crossed the whole time and has the emotional reaction of a spoon. Because that's the theater experience anyone pays to have

 

[chaseter]

I hate it when people laugh, gasp, cry, clap, and cheer. Movies should be totally silent the entire time so that I don't miss a single music cue. People don't go to the movies for an experience.

Harumph

 

[kickass]

I hate it when people laugh, gasp, cry, clap, and cheer. Movies should be totally silent the entire time so that I don't miss a single music cue. People don't go to the movies for an experience.

Harumph

Then go to an Opera.

 

[chaseter]

 

[ALP]

I hate when people complain about this very issue. People cheer and clap during a movie because the film has pushed them to be moved and react to it. People jump and lose their **** when their watching a Football game in their own livingrooms, even when they're all alone, and they didn't even buy a ticket to the game. How is that any different? The rush of emotion and appreciattion moves people to react. Does anyone force themselves to clap at a movie? Does anyone force themselves to cry at a movie? People aren't doing it to piss anyone off.

Why do people go to bars to watch a Hockey game? Everyone yells and cheers and rambles like nuts. Is that ok because they're in a public place to do so? Not everyone there cares for the game. I would hope everyone buying a ticket to a movie (especially if it's a movie EVENT) actually cares to be there. What about when (for example) they release a poster or trailer for a movie you're reeeeeeeally looking forward to and the second you see it on the net you orgasm? Surely moans are being made, yes? Couldn't a smile just do? I'm sure no one minds the "That's amazing!" you're saying at your computer screen when you're actually all alone in the room.

Another obvious point I don't think anyone has ever brought up........there are certain, if not many, scenes in movies that are made specifically to give an audience reaction. Therefore the film is inviting its audience to participate in the journey.

The worst is when you're sitting beside someone who has their arms crossed the whole time and has the emotional reaction of a spoon. Because that's the theater experience anyone pays to have

Terrific post. Your comparison of someone jumping up and cheering in their home while watching a football game is spot on and rightfully throws his argument out the window.

I hate it when people laugh, gasp, cry, clap, and cheer. Movies should be totally silent the entire time so that I don't miss a single music cue. People don't go to the movies for an experience.

Harumph

In Japan silence is the greatest sign of appreciation!

 

[ironwez20]

Dont get the whole applause argument myself. People were so moved by this movie and when your moved you express your appreciation. When neville did the unexpected it was such an epic moment. It was absolutly incredible. I grew up with these movie's and no other book will ever have an impact on me like this book has.

 

[Drizzle]

Did anyone else find Voldemort's little laugh after he said [BLACKOUT]"Harry Potter is dead!"[/BLACKOUT] hilarious?

 

[Dwarf lord]

I don't understand the people complaining about the duel between Harry and Voldemort and not having it be a giant conversation and then two spells. Turning Harry into a quick witted badass in the final pages of the books was so out of character and one of the most sweeping examples of the author using her own voice that I have ever read in a very long time.

 

[Donut]

I don't understand the people complaining about the duel between Harry and Voldemort and not having it be a giant conversation and then two spells. Turning Harry into a quick witted badass in the final pages of the books was so out of character and one of the most sweeping examples of the author using her own voice that I have ever read in a very long time.

But when you have a friend of Harry's like Hagrid actually witness the killing blow that killed Harry & then to randomly do what Harry did was just mean

 

[terry78]

He had to make a choice in that sense I guess. His existence was more or less inspiration for every single person that was against Voldemort, so when he does the reveal, gotta be at the right time. I don't know, that's just fridge logic Rowling never explains.

 

[Donut]

He had to make a choice in that sense I guess. His existence was more or less inspiration for every single person that was against Voldemort, so when he does the reveal, gotta be at the right time. I don't know, that's just fridge logic Rowling never explains.

I am actually surprised Voldemort did not stop & ask before going nuts what the hell just happened But damn it was funny seeing the Malfoys get the **** outta there lol

 

[FVD]

Such a thrilling conclusion to the series. Noticed in the credits they credited Padma Patil instead of Parvati, now that's WRONG!!!! It was she who connected more with Lavender not her Ravenclaw sister! Something they didn't bother to include from the start of GoF either!!

Thought it was a little abrupt just seeing Percy there in attendance while attending to Fred's death. Now that scene along with Lavender, Tonks and Lupin all lying there was quite touching to say the least. I still think Charlie should have been including as an extra seeing as Alex Crockford appeared in earlier films such as the postcard for example in Azkaban I believe? Or was it OotP? I missed on Oliver Wood's cameo but I do recall seeing Lee Jordan though.

Anyway going back to Percy I hope his reunion with the family could be added in a Deleted Scene or something. And doesn't it sorta bother you how he appeared in OotP working for the Ministry holding Harry captive in Dumbledore's office like that? Viewers who have never read the books will be wondering why Percy's alienation from the family was never explained not to mention his fascination with Barty Crouch Snr on Goblet of Fire. An inconsistency through out the series that's for sure. And also a shame that Lavender, Parvati and a couple others weren't cast from the beginning. We could have connected with them like Seamus, Dean and Neville if you ask me. Ah well what's done is done. If they remake these films 20-30 years down the track they better not leave them out next time....

Minor gripes aside an amazing film to say the least. I'll be sure to see it again on holiday in London during next week. 9/10

As for the clapping during/after movies I couldn't care less!!!!

 

[The Apocalypse]

I hate it when people laugh, gasp, cry, clap, and cheer. Movies should be totally silent the entire time so that I don't miss a single music cue. People don't go to the movies for an experience.

Harumph

I don't know man, the people that went to the midnight viewing in my theater were screaming while crying. Like they were being tortured. It got pretty ridiculous and kinda ruined the moments.

 

[Drizzle]

Such a thrilling conclusion to the series. Noticed in the credits they credited Padma Patil instead of Parvati, now that's WRONG!!!!

I didn't see Parvati in it anywhere.

 

[The Apocalypse]

I know they were going for the shock factor when Harry woke up in Hagrids arms but I think they could have gotten away with Voldemort & Harry exchanging a few words in front of everybody to help explain to the characters what just happened. Something like

Voldemort - I thought you were dead

Harry - I was but then an old friend helped me come back

Voldemort - & Voldemort would be smart enough to figure out that it was Dumbledore

Then Harry does his attack the snake & running thingy. I think Voldemort would have been shocked enough that they could have got away with a few words like that

I'm so glad you don't write for the movies.