Well, this one was better than Harry Potter 6, but certainly not as good as Harry Potter 7.1

I'll try to refrain from using too many spoilers here, but it's sort of impossible to do so.

First, I'll just kick this review off by saying that The movie simply could not contain the novel.

The novel was just too big and complex to be summed up in a movie, even after the movie was

split into 2 parts. It was just too much information to digest, with too many characters and

themes to keep it cohesive.

Harry Potter 7.1 did a fine job in leading up to this, and the fact that it more or less stripped

away many of the supporting characters and focused mainly on Harry, Hermoine and Ron, ,

was one of it's greatest strengths. At issue is that it simply could not tell enough of the story

to relieve Harry Potter 7.2 of some of its burden.

The audience is forced to sit through a very complicated set of events, character interplay, etc.

but with little or no time to do so. When a movie needs to present events in a book that

are complicated or too nebulas to include in the story itself, the director has two choices: Not

to mention the event or subplot at all, or to do so but water it down or go through it quickly

hoping the audience doesn't sense the disruption in the movie's buildup. Harry Potter 7.2

primarily took the later route but it lacked the ability to do it gracefully.

The death of one of the Weasely brothers is done so in reported language so to speak. You

see it after it happens, but then the movie's pace moves so quickly that you don't actually

get to savor Mrs Weasily's slaughtering of the witch that did it. It's done so quickly and

with such little pomp and circumstance that one who reads the book simply would be

disappointed, and one who did not read the book wouldn't be moved by the event.

Hermoine's full on kiss with Ron in the book takes place after he makes a revealation

acknowledging the rights of certain citizens of the wizard world (in other words, he shows

Hermione that he actually has a heart of gold and not just some shallow jock mentality).

In the movie, it's done quickly and almost paint-by-numbers.

I could go on forever about the failings of the movie, but suffice it to say, it was

simply an odd and disappointing way to end such a phenomenal series. Even when you

dismiss the books and 'pretend' that you're watching the story unfold for the first time,

you get a sense that this thing is anemic by way of emotional resonance, and overly cluttered

by way of plot and subplots. The movie needed 20 or 30 additional minutes to be the movie

it was supposed to be.

About the only good point of the movie outside of the incredible atmosphere is the sequence

of Professor Snape's memories, along with Alan Rickman's heartbreaking and moving performance.

Too fine an actor to just mimic Dobby's fatal performance, Rickman adds nuance and class to

a roll that could have easily been derivative and one dimensional.

Overall, a poor way to end a great series, I would still recommend you see it because it does

have some good moments in it.

.

[Edited 7/18/11 11:11am]

Frankly, I enjoyed the first two HP movies, purely as cute movies for kids, but the "action" films are lame, just a pale version of Dragon Ball with some LOTR elements

pass

I watched part III years ago and I said "No " ; I was "forced" to watch part "7.1" and I yelled "to hell with this "

imago said:

Well, this one was better than Harry Potter 6, but certainly not as good as Harry Potter 7.1

I'll try to refrain from using too many spoilers here, but it's sort of impossible to do so.

First, I'll just kick this review off by saying that The movie simply could not contain the novel.

The novel was just too big and complex to be summed up in a movie, even after the movie was

split into 2 parts. It was just too much information to digest, with too many characters and

themes to keep it cohesive.

Harry Potter 7.1 did a fine job in leading up to this, and the fact that it more or less stripped

away many of the supporting characters and focused mainly on Harry, Hermoine and Ron, ,

was one of it's greatest strengths. At issue is that it simply could not tell enough of the story

to relieve Harry Potter 7.2 of some of its burden.

The audience is forced to sit through a very complicated set of events, character interplay, etc.

but with little or no time to do so. When a movie needs to present events in a book that

are complicated or too nebulas to include in the story itself, the director has two choices: Not

to mention the event or subplot at all, or to do so but water it down or go through it quickly

hoping the audience doesn't sense the disruption in the movie's buildup. Harry Potter 7.2

primarily took the later route but it lacked the ability to do it gracefully.

The death of one of the Weasely brothers is done so in reported language so to speak. You

see it after it happens, but then the movie's pace moves so quickly that you don't actually

get to savor Mrs Weasily's slaughtering of the witch that did it. It's done so quickly and

with such little pomp and circumstance that one who reads the book simply would be

disappointed, and one who did not read the book wouldn't be moved by the event.

Hermoine's full on kiss with Ron in the book takes place after he makes a revealation

acknowledging the rights of certain citizens of the wizard world (in other words, he shows

Hermione that he actually has a heart of gold and not just some shallow jock mentality).

In the movie, it's done quickly and almost pant-by-numbers.

I could go on forever about the failings of the movie, but suffice it to say, it was

simply and odd and disappointing way to end such a phenomenal series. Even when you

dismiss the books and 'pretend' that you're watching the story unfold for the first time,

you get a sense that this thing is anemic by way of emotional resonance, and overly cluttered

by way of plot and subplots. The movie needed 20 or 30 additional minutes to be the movie

it was supposed to be.

About the only good point of the movie outside of the incredible atmosphere is the sequence

of Professor Snape's memories, along with Alan Rickman's heartbreaking and moving performance.

Too fine an actor to just mimic Dobby's fatal performance, Rickman adds nuance and class to

a roll that could have easily been derivative and one dimensional.

Overall, a poor way to end a great series, I would still recommend you see it because it does

have some good moments in it.

[Edited 7/15/11 3:26am]

I agree with you 100%. I was looking forward to the fight with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix and it was over in a blink of the eye . Professor Snape memory scene was excellent! Another 30-40 minutes spent on the death of the main characters would have put this movie over the top. And I also recommend people to see this movie.

debbiedean2 said:

imago said:

Well, this one was better than Harry Potter 6, but certainly not as good as Harry Potter 7.1

I'll try to refrain from using too many spoilers here, but it's sort of impossible to do so.

First, I'll just kick this review off by saying that The movie simply could not contain the novel.

The novel was just too big and complex to be summed up in a movie, even after the movie was

split into 2 parts. It was just too much information to digest, with too many characters and

themes to keep it cohesive.

Harry Potter 7.1 did a fine job in leading up to this, and the fact that it more or less stripped

away many of the supporting characters and focused mainly on Harry, Hermoine and Ron, ,

was one of it's greatest strengths. At issue is that it simply could not tell enough of the story

to relieve Harry Potter 7.2 of some of its burden.

The audience is forced to sit through a very complicated set of events, character interplay, etc.

but with little or no time to do so. When a movie needs to present events in a book that

are complicated or too nebulas to include in the story itself, the director has two choices: Not

to mention the event or subplot at all, or to do so but water it down or go through it quickly

hoping the audience doesn't sense the disruption in the movie's buildup. Harry Potter 7.2

primarily took the later route but it lacked the ability to do it gracefully.

The death of one of the Weasely brothers is done so in reported language so to speak. You

see it after it happens, but then the movie's pace moves so quickly that you don't actually

get to savor Mrs Weasily's slaughtering of the witch that did it. It's done so quickly and

with such little pomp and circumstance that one who reads the book simply would be

disappointed, and one who did not read the book wouldn't be moved by the event.

Hermoine's full on kiss with Ron in the book takes place after he makes a revealation

acknowledging the rights of certain citizens of the wizard world (in other words, he shows

Hermione that he actually has a heart of gold and not just some shallow jock mentality).

In the movie, it's done quickly and almost pant-by-numbers.

I could go on forever about the failings of the movie, but suffice it to say, it was

simply and odd and disappointing way to end such a phenomenal series. Even when you

dismiss the books and 'pretend' that you're watching the story unfold for the first time,

you get a sense that this thing is anemic by way of emotional resonance, and overly cluttered

by way of plot and subplots. The movie needed 20 or 30 additional minutes to be the movie

it was supposed to be.

About the only good point of the movie outside of the incredible atmosphere is the sequence

of Professor Snape's memories, along with Alan Rickman's heartbreaking and moving performance.

Too fine an actor to just mimic Dobby's fatal performance, Rickman adds nuance and class to

a roll that could have easily been derivative and one dimensional.

Overall, a poor way to end a great series, I would still recommend you see it because it does

have some good moments in it.

[Edited 7/15/11 3:26am]

I agree with you 100%. I was looking forward to the fight with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix and it was over in a blink of the eye . Professor Snape memory scene was excellent! Another 30-40 minutes spent on the death of the main characters would have put this movie over the top. And I also recommend people to see this movie.

And what the hell was up with her being blown to pieces? It was so lame.

Imago you are spot on! One thing I did like was how much Neville was in the movie. I just LOVE Neville! Would've liked more focus on Loomis and Tonks.

After the last one I bottomed out my expectations so I would not be disappointed futher

Machaela said:

After the last one I bottomed out my expectations so I would not be disappointed futher

I really never took harry potter seriously, and I did not like the first book or the movies, and my expectations were so low that gradually I began to actually enjoy them by expecting utter shit.

I really enjoyed book 7. The movies are okay, nothing great, but watchable, and repeatedly so.

They don't carry much weight to me, but they are somewhat effective in telling a story and consistent in quality.

that photo could not look more star wars derived!

Rowling said she was going expand on the side concepts and stories from the potter books. Soo that might mean more Potter books which means more potter movies.

[Edited 7/15/11 22:42pm]

JoeTyler said:

Frankly, I enjoyed the first two HP movies, purely as cute movies for kids, but the "action" films are lame, just a pale version of Dragon Ball with some LOTR elements

pass

I watched part III years ago and I said "No " ; I was "forced" to watch part "7.1" and I yelled "to hell with this "

LOL! Dragon Ball is NOT on HP's level.

HP has way more substance.

I havent seen the movie yet but in the book they all get married and their kids attend Hogwarts.

Do they show that bit in the movie?

I stopped caring after Goblet of Fire, both with the books and with the movies.

formallypickles said:

I havent seen the movie yet but in the book they all get married and their kids attend Hogwarts.

Do they show that bit in the movie?

Yes, and Drako looks like an alcoholic!

formallypickles said:

Rowling said she was going expand on the side concepts and stories from the potter books. Soo that might mean more Potter books which means more potter movies.

I find her mind very fascinating, but she should really leave it alone.

I agree with you completely Dan. When I read the book, I was crying after the deaths of Remus and Tonks and the Twin. The movie gave you no time to grieve instead focusing and dragging in places on complete bullshit.

I also had too many times of "that's not in the book".

Vendetta1 said:

I agree with you completely Dan. When I read the book, I was crying after the deaths of Remus and Tonks and the Twin. The movie gave you no time to grieve instead focusing and dragging in places on complete bullshit.

I also had too many times of "that's not in the book".

I really hated the way Voldemort "died." It was just weird.

Alej said:

Vendetta1 said:

I agree with you completely Dan. When I read the book, I was crying after the deaths of Remus and Tonks and the Twin. The movie gave you no time to grieve instead focusing and dragging in places on complete bullshit.

I also had too many times of "that's not in the book".

I really hated the way Voldemort "died." It was just weird.

Yeah that really sucked.

Vendetta1 said:

I agree with you completely Dan. When I read the book, I was crying after the deaths of Remus and Tonks and the Twin.<.b> The movie gave you no time to grieve instead focusing and dragging in places on complete bullshit.

I also had too many times of "that's not in the book".

Vendetta1 said:

Alej said:

I really hated the way Voldemort "died." It was just weird.

Yeah that really sucked.

I like at it this way, Ivy. If Casey Spooner were to suddenly announce his retirement, you would expect his final show to have a true, lasting impact. You know the rest....

I just watched number 3 again today

I will say this about them (both the books and the movies), they are remarkably consistent considering the incredible pressure they had to live up to peoples' expectations. They made the books and films very quickly, and they made a lot of them under a lot of scrutiny. And they pulled them off despite casting one of the worst actors of all time in the lead role.

They are not something I take seriously in some emotional way, but I do like their storytelling value.

lazycrockett said:

I stopped caring after Goblet of Fire, both with the books and with the movies.

I also stopped caring (if I ever cared) but continued leisurely through them all. Darned if I did not think that the 7th book was maybe the best. Maybe not, but I really enjoyed it. I thought the story was fairly inspired

[Edited 7/16/11 21:45pm]

I intentionally avoided reading the books so I could watch the series unmolested.

THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE FILM. There was so much pay off that I was emotionally locked in the entire movie.

Three things I wish would have been conveyed more clearly:

How Harry survived the Avada Kadavra curse, specifically.

How certain students died. Yes Fred, but I also mean Lavender. I couldn't tell if Greyback had finished her off, or if he just started (perhaps she's a were-wolf now?)

Also, the battle scene between Weasley and LeStrange should have had a lot more substence. We all cheered in the theatre, but her final scene should have been wonderfully dramatic.

And wow did Minerva McGonagall steal the show!!!

Snape's redemption was my favorite part, however!

I dont like when people complain about how movies are not like the book.

Movies have only 1-2 hours to summarizes a book that takes days to read.

Is that the last one? So now all those young boys and girls from the movies can go find jobs they're actually qualified and capable of doing?

Dauphin said:

I intentionally avoided reading the books so I could watch the series unmolested.

THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE FILM. There was so much pay off that I was emotionally locked in the entire movie.

Three things I wish would have been conveyed more clearly:

How Harry survived the Avada Kadavra curse, specifically.

How certain students died. Yes Fred, but I also mean Lavender. I couldn't tell if Greyback had finished her off, or if he just started (perhaps she's a were-wolf now?)

Also, the battle scene between Weasley and LeStrange should have had a lot more substence. We all cheered in the theatre, but her final scene should have been wonderfully dramatic.

And wow did Minerva McGonagall steal the show!!!

Snape's redemption was my favorite part, however!

They explained it several times. It was his mother's love that made the spell rebound.

formallypickles said:

about to go check it out in 3D IMAX. I don't have the ability to keep track of where everyone's personal stories are though... it's too far between movies!

NDRU said:

lazycrockett said:

I stopped caring after Goblet of Fire, both with the books and with the movies.

I also stopped caring (if I ever cared) but continued leisurely through them all. Darned if I did not think that the 7th book was maybe the best. Maybe not, but I really enjoyed it. I thought the story was fairly inspired

[Edited 7/16/11 21:45pm]

I didn't like the last three books, they kept getting worse and worse because she was writing a screenplay as a book.

The books don't hold up for me, I can't read them again, although I tried. So I gave them all away.

I enjoyed the movie but again it should have been longer. I wanted to own the series but that's not gonna happen.

I don't need to own this one. It would make me want to watch Lord of the Rings, Eragon, something.

formallypickles said:

I dont like when people complain about how movies are not like the book.

Movies have only 1-2 hours to summarizes a book that takes days to read.

I read one of the books on a flight from Puerto Rico back to San Francisco.

I don't think it took more than four days to even read the last one.

But then I love to read and know I'm a fast reader.

[D]ays to read just sounds so laborious to me. No criticism of others' reading habits or abilities.

debbiedean2 said:

Dauphin said:

I intentionally avoided reading the books so I could watch the series unmolested.

THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE FILM. There was so much pay off that I was emotionally locked in the entire movie.

Three things I wish would have been conveyed more clearly:

How Harry survived the Avada Kadavra curse, specifically.

How certain students died. Yes Fred, but I also mean Lavender. I couldn't tell if Greyback had finished her off, or if he just started (perhaps she's a were-wolf now?)

Also, the battle scene between Weasley and LeStrange should have had a lot more substence. We all cheered in the theatre, but her final scene should have been wonderfully dramatic.

And wow did Minerva McGonagall steal the show!!!

Snape's redemption was my favorite part, however!

They explained it several times. It was his mother's love that made the spell rebound.

I meant the curse right before Harry goes to the limbo with Dumbledore.