I’ve already given my take on this weekend’s big release, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” People have been lining up for hours, days, whatever, to see this closing installment, so it’s time to offer a place for you to have your say on the film. Let us know when you get around to it. And keep an eye on that box office.
Comments
108 responses to “Tell us what you thought of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’”
^I’d like to echo the thoughts above. Also consider the fact that he’s played this same character 7 times before.
Seen it, loved it. That said, HP isn`t AMPAS thing so forget BP talk. Not gonna happen. It hasn`t happened 7 time before. Know thy target audience. This one doesn`t give a crap about HP and superhero movies. This is TDK all over again except that Yates won`t get Guild love like Nolan. You won`t change their minds. Critical love and boxoffice won`t change their minds. They like what they like whether you agree with them or not (The Reader, a critically rotten boxoffice bomb, for example).
As for Rickman nom, lmao! He was on the screen, what, less than 10 minutes? If you want a real supporting standout with something to do that would be Fiennes. Also, Dame Maggie rocked but her role was small too. But what a badass!
So, yeah, amazing movie if HP is your thing. It just isn`t AMPAS thing, sorry. Just like my favorite show, the amazing Fringe, isn`t Emmy`s thing. They`ll never acknowledge the greatness of the show and Torv and Noble performences even if some other awards did. Same with HP. It may get some noms (BAFTA most likely) but forget Oscars. It`s like animated movies. Not gonna happen. They have their category and that`s it. Won`t change,ever.
“Under 10 BP noms, I think Potter gets in without much hassle at all… ”
How, exactly?
Ruggio: What Hero said, re: RT. And box office means shit.
And just to reiterate something that’s been said by several people on this sight for what seems like a couple of years now: the Academy does NOT freaking care about the last movie in a series. They awarded LOTR:ROTK because it is a great movie. No one in their right mind can claim HP:DH2 is anywhere close to the level of storytelling and filmmaking of ROTK.
Kris@53
Probably something to do with being the best reviewed film of the year (so far), not having to deal with the 5% #1 votes, potentially receiving plenty of tech nominations, probably breaking the $1 Billion WW mark and likely becoming one of the top five highest grossing movies of all time. Little things like that add up to being a likely nominee in the system of ten.
re: Hero
Just because you didn’t like the film doesn’t mean you have to insult the opinion of people who did like the film and happen to think it’s a great movie as well.
RT scores do usually mean squat, but most of these reviews have been raves, not just mere passes. Although I do agree that the Academy probably won’t come near this thing at all.
It just seems to me as if some people are somewhat ticked off that DH2 has been so well received.
I wouldn’t say I’m ticked off, but I’m absolutely stunned at the pass it’s getting. Not that it’s a bad movie, but it’s not the best movie of the year, yet the reviews would have you think as much. It’s the weirdest year I’ve encountered — specifically vis a vis the summer — for critics. everything is pushed to separate ends of the spectrum. Love and hate. HP7.2 is a film with, IMO, no business breaking much farther past 90% on RT (which, again, is a useless gauge, but that won’t stop people from bringing it up over and over again).
I for one think the Epilogue is a beautiful, perfectly calibrated piece of writing, and the movie does it justice wonderfully. Radcliffe’s physicality with his son alone is a lovely thing to behold.
And as to academy love, both the cinematography nod for #6 and the art direction nod for #7.1 were unexpected surprises. Perhaps that means respect for the franchise has always been simmering under the surface, and now would be the time for it to come to full fruition. I believe this film will get the most noms of any individual Potter film, and a BP nom is a good if not certain possibility.
The 5% #1 votes could easily come from within the British voting bloc alone.
Just got back. Truly amazing.
I will never say again that Alan Rickman is a one-bit actor or that Daniel Radcliffe can’t do emotional scenes. Definitely the latter’s best performance I’ve seen.
I certainly encourage those unfamiliar with the books or films to brush up a bit, but the production design and cinematography alone could keep you occupied for the quick 2 hours.
“…perfectly calibrated piece of writing…”
Why? It’s extraneous, says nothing about the characters (other than they’re still alive in 19 years, have children, and are down with Draco) and is technically dubious.
That’s my take, anyway. But please, tell me why it’s so perfectly calibrated. I’m genuinely curious.
I really appreciate the discussion that is going on right now. Im a film student and I want to learn from you Kris. I learn from you all the time and sometimes I may not agree with you, but I always find something new in the films you right about. This time around I agree with you in some aspects, but I really do feel this is one of the top films of the year (so far). If you have not read the book…. I urge you to read it. Than go see the film again. There was never a chance the movie was going to be anywhere close as good as the book. But it comes very close. I disagree with your sentiments that people either love or hate this film. From what I am reading on the comments and across the web, People LOVE this movie and people LIKE this movie. I have not read a single review with the word HATE in it. The film has universal themes about life, love, and growing up. Its not just a stupid popcorn flick made to attract hormonal teenage girls and fan boys (A la… Twilight and Transformers). And when I say its a slap in the face to the american movie going public, I don’t mean its because we show up in mass to see the film, its because we have shown up in mass for the past TEN YEARS!
I get urged to read the book a lot, and I recognize that it may yield a more complete appreciation of the film, but that such a thing is a necessity is, without question, indication of the film’s failure to connect with some (certainly not all) of the uninitiated.
As for love and hate, I think you misread me. I’m saying that there’s not much nuance in the overall range of reviews this summer for various films. No one is interested in middle ground, it seems, likely because that just doesn’t make for the interesting read it once did for a great many. People want strong opinions. And in this case, it’s a love-fest for Harry Potter, when it seems to me the film is begging to be considered in a more level-headed way.
Green Lantern and Bad Teacher were hated way more than seemed warranted.
Super 8 was loved way more than seemed warranted. Etc., etc.
This is my point.
And let me be clear. The individual reviews of lots of these films indicate balance here and there, sure. But as is the tendency of summer (now more than ever), love and hate win the day when it comes to the peripheral discussion of their reception.
Just came back from it, and I’ll admit that I was pleased with it. However, I will echo what some others are saying with the final duel between Voldy and Harry: flat. No delicious dialogue between them, not fought in front of throngs of people, a dull mise-en-scène. And of course, shattering and floating away like ash, really? Boo. I also agree that some of the minor battles should have been set up more: yes, Molly kicks ass, but that was what, half a second of set up? I barely saw Bellatrix hit Ginny.
But my biggest problem: a lack of finality with many of the characters and narrative threads. Voldemort is defeated, then Harry wanders the halls of Hogwarts — but with no recognition from anyone. No final speech? Not even a McGonagall head-nod of approval? Harry just had the biggest duel ever, these people just fought in a huge battle, and all we really see is some profs and students drinking tea in a hallway. Sorry Yates, you could have done much better.
In fact, I think Yates has been a major disappointment, especially after the magic of Cuaron. His films are breathless in a television “and then and then and then” fashion, he often doesn’t dwell on things that should be given the necessary gravity or a wondrous sense of giddy, and his battle sequences have been anticlimactic. He does get things right every so often –I very much enjoyed Snape’s death and pensieve sequence– but messes up key moments. Dumbledore’s death, the Voldemort-Harry duel, Dobby’s death, battle in the Department of mysteries have all been curiously flat.
But that’s nitpicking from a Potter fan. Still the best time I’ve had in the theatre all year.
matsunaga #39:
I was just kidding. I’ve never even seen Twilight so I don’t have any opinion on it vs. HP. I just didn’t want your countdown to the brawl not to go anywhere.
As for the movie, which I have now seen…. meh.
You know why I think it’s no good? It plays like a TV drama. You could just feel the moments where it will go to commercial break when it plays on TV. I half expected it to actually go to commercial break at some moments. “This film is brought to you with limited commercial interruption by…” sort of thing.
The framing and mis-en-scene looked television-esque as well in many moments. “Oh, look! An entire army where everyone is non-descript and jumbled together except for Voldemort, Bellatrix, and the Malfoys, who are standing rather conveniently close together at the forefront on the promontory!”
The editing was choppy and just weird. Many of the directorial choices seemed stylistically unwise, as far as action goes. Yates clearly has no idea how fight scenes should be staged, paced, or how the characters should respond to the action.
Notice the way the characters are framed in the shot. Notice the delivery of lines and facial expressions that are intended to be clearly picked up by the camera. Notice the generally heightened and false emotion in the performances intended to be readily understood and digested by the audience. It’s all very stilted and looks PBS-y.
Okay, and what’s more…. would it have been truly awful for ANY of the characters to express at least SOME heartfelt emotion at some point? I mean…. Harry got to speak to his parents face-to-face for the only time in his life and he’s just like, “Hey, you guys got my back, right?” He doesn’t shed a tear? His voice doesn’t quiver? He doesn’t clench his fist when he realizes he can’t grasp his mother’s hand?
Ron and Hermione’s big romantic moment in the final film is that they “snog” a little after he lets her destroy the Horcrux. Neville gives a smarmy speech that sounds like he’s running for public office. Mrs. Weasley just shouts “You Bitch!” and then offs Bellatrix for basically no reason (since it’s divorced from Fred’s death). The students just act like “Oh, of course it makes sense Harry has arrived” when he shows up at Hogwarts. Etc., etc., etc.
Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman gave the only performances that exuded any real-seeming feelings, and even then it pales in comparison with what they’re really capable of. It’s like they didn’t want to shame everyone else by being too damn good.
The ONLY time one of the main characters gave a genuine emotional reaction was Ron’s wailing over Fred….. which lasted all of about 2 seconds before Yates decided to cut away and give us more boring shit to watch.
One final thought: I’m SHOCKED that anyone can say this is the most fun they’ve had at the cinema all summer.
A lot a people must not have seen “Midnight in Paris”.
That is all.
I pretty much skimmed over the whole debate (haven’t seen the movie yet, I’m planning to go this tuesday), but…
“Does anyone expect a significant amount of the Academy membership to but a Harry Potter film in their #1 slot? That’s what it’ll take. And I just don’t see it happening.”
I’ve come to think the same thing, Kris, but what about Harry Potter becoming the go-to movie for the techs and crafts awards, like Bourne Ultimatum, Avatar and Inception?
It’s probably more fitting than giving it a go-nowhere BP nod with the couple of sparse nods – J.K. Rowling could break Christopher Nolan’s record of how many times she get mentioned at the Oscars.
There’s some great discussion going on here. I just came back from watching it and I’m with what seems to be the consensus, that it had some great moments but didn’t quite hit it out of the park.
The big problem I felt with Part 2 is that when the emotional payoffs started to come, they kept missing. I think it’s a problem that has its roots three or four movies ago. Neville’s moment of triumph, Fred’s death, Mrs Weasley knocking off Bellatrix, Harry & Ginny’s relationship, the stuff with Aberforth, even the stuff with Snape – all these moments that should be massively resonant weren’t because the groundwork wasn’t done in previous movies.
The whole thing felt sort of arbitrary, clues were unnecessarily oblique, solutions were strangely causeless, the logic of the magical world was messy (this is something that I felt had steadily declined after Goblet of Fire – the whole idea of learning spells, the relative skills of wizards and the limitations of magic all started to collapse when Yates took up the reins – and with the collapse, some of the drama was lost because the stakes drop when someone can just pull a spell out of nowhere). Whereas the books make clear Dumbledore is human and made plenty of mistakes with Harry and that’s why things got so complicated, the films made him feel like a kind of Pied Piper, playing a tin-whistle while he leads Harry to his doom.
I don’t want it to be a book-is-better-than-movie thing, because of course the book is better, Kris is right, though, where he says above that if you need to read the books to piece it all together, the movies haven’t done their job properly.
I really loved the books and I think the middle three movies are really good (Azkaban, Goblet and Pheonix), but I feel like the movies didn’t manage to pull off the complexity of the plot as it moved towards the end.
Oh, and I didn’t mention the epilogue. Probably don’t need to, but here goes anyway.
I hated the epilogue in the book for exactly the reason Kris has articulated above. It tells us nothing about these characters beyond the fact that they’re alive and they have kids. It is totally and essentially extraneous. That they phoned it in on a technical level for the film makes it stand out even more.
“…what about Harry Potter becoming the go-to movie for the techs and crafts awards, like Bourne Ultimatum, Avatar and Inception?”
I imagine films like Hugo, War Horse, Super 8, etc., might have something to say about that. But there is little about the crafts achievements of this film that stands out above others in the franchise, so I really doubt we’ll get more than art direction, maybe cinematography, and of course, visual effects (which is deserving). Don’t know which way the score will go.
They’ve had plenty opportunity across the branches to notice it elsewhere and they haven’t. You’d think there would have been a costume nod in the 10 years since the first one, but no. And nothing about this one indicates to me that they’d speak up suddenly now.
So I think three or four nods is the absolute ceiling here. Nothing in the majors. But I’ll be interested to see how WB plays it.
Can we can a Herzogian “I’ll eat my shoe!” proclamation from Kris about the films BP nomination chances?
It deserves nods for: Picture, Rickman, Art direction, cinematography, score, visual effects.
Maybe: Sounds(x2), editing, makeup…
Jack–I said I mostly liked it but had problems with it. And where did I insult anyone? Saying you’d have to be crazy to think DH2 is in the same league as ROTK? That’s not an insult, that’s a fact, and I’ll happily explain why if you need me to.
Kris @63–Amen. One of my great pet peeves is sloppy filmmaking getting a pass by people saying, “It makes sense if you read the book.”
Samuel–Love both your posts.
Hero- I’m just saying you don’t have to act like it’s a crime to like DH2 more than ROTK or that it deserves recognition and get into this game where your opinion is a fact.
And I don’t think DH2 is as good as ROTK, for the record.
But Jack, if we’re trying to figure out DH2’s chances at the Oscar, then looking at history is instructive. Some people think that ROTK’s sweep says something about the possibility of the final HP installment getting recognition, but since even you agree that DH2 is not the same quality as ROTK, then the fact is HP fans are likely going to be proved wrong in their belief that the Academy will be swayed by the desire to award the series now.
I find the ROTK comparisons completely baseless. The other two films in that series were both nominated for Picture, and the first for director and writing as well. Potter has never come close to the recognition and prestige of those films and they don’t deserve it. The only comparison to be made is that they’re fantasy films. This was the 8th Harry Potter movie. Let it go already
#66 SJG:
I’ve never seen Twilight either, and I don’t have any plans at all…
The countdown was just a joke and never to be taken seriously…
Anyway, this thread has been very insightful, nice way to balance the raves from critics…
The epilogue is “perfectly calibrated piece of writing”, and certainly not extraneous, because it describes, humorously and concisely and understatedly, what life is and has been for the 19 years after the end of the adventure. It “gifts” the heroes with a blessedly “normal” and magically “conventional” life. It takes us full circle back to the beginning, with a new generation nurtured by our heroes to continue the Hogwarts school tradition – the movie version reconnects us just a wonderfully with where it all began with musical and staging echoes of the first film – illustrating that stories are not about a beginning and an end, but about cycles and circles – but this new cycle or circle will be not the “curse of living in interesting times” but the sweet gift of “normal life” (and thus needs simply a curio of a chapter or scene to convey it). “The scar had not hurt him for 19 years. All is well” (I might be paraphrasing here). Sure, a sentence or two tacked on at the end of the previous chapter could have done that too, one might argue, but a short chapter or scene illustrates the idea in a way that is more richly engaging and resonates more deeply. Certainly that is how it worked for me. I was deeply grateful for the epilogue both in the reading of it and the viewing of it last night in the theater.
Kris, and to be clear, I was referring to the Epilogue as written in the books with the “perfectly calibrated” statement. Which is how I took your challenge. But I see now that you probably thought I meant the movie adaptation of the epilogue – otherwise why would you criticize the writing of the Epilogue if you hadn’t read the books? – My defense of the epilogue had been in response to several people criticizing the Book Epilogue.
I think the movie Epilogue is beautifully done, but it’s the staging and acting and music that does it – there isn’t much “writing” per se, as they took out almost all of the dialog except for the one crucial exchange between Harry and Albus Severus, and let image and gesture and sound do the rest, rather nicely in my view.
It’s unfortunate that my favorite thing about the film is the Kelly MacDonald cameo that lasted only 3 minutes.
Some of you people really need to get off Alan Rickman’s dick. This is just fandom for the character and has nothing to do with the performance.
They’d been trying aggressively to cast Tim Roth in Alan Rickman’s role; he would have been much better in my opinion. Alan Rickman is completely lacking in energy and plays down all his big moments.
The best performance in this series by a mile and a half is Jim Broadbent’s from the sixth film. I imagine Robbie Coltrane in 2001 was the closest to actually being recognized, though.
Robbie Coltraine did get a BAFTA nom in 2001.
Broadbent in #6 was great. I’d give the edge to Staunten in #5.
Love Tim Roth, but how to compare a performance that never was with a performance, Rickman’s, that has become indelible? Having just re-viewed the entire series, I can detect in the subtleties of Rickman’s performance hints of the secrets of Snape’s true history (J K Rowling entrusted these with Rickman early on.) Esp. in his Occlumency scenes with Harry in #5. Impressive.
But, John G., must you belittle other people’s views by dismissing them with a nasty vulgarity? You lose respect for anything you might have to otherwise contribute that way.
Danny: Look, it’s a lovely button and everything that yes, shows us that all is well in the world. But concise and/or exceptional writing it is not (IMO). And I’m talking about the film, because this is a movie site, not a book site, so I can’t speak to how it’s written in the book (nor do I care to for the purposes of critiquing the film). If anything it’s obvious and lazy writing, exactly what you’d expect for a benign coda (though I think you probably understand my point with your follow-up post). I appreciate that you feel otherwise in general, though, so thanks for giving me your perspective.
John: I think the best performance by a mile and a half is Imelda Staunton’s in Phoenix.
Considering the book had a lot of expositions, the movie handled it very well. Some of the book-stuffs don’t make well for movies. Great job in that regard. It hit all the right buttons (at times feeling like just hitting a series of buttons).
The epilogue was just right–it’s just to reassure as that life went on and everything’s fine.
While I hated the epilogue in the book, it didn’t bother me at all in the film. I think it evoked the right amount of nostalgia to end the film on, especially with John Williams’ music cues from the first film. It wasn’t great writing, but it was a good note to end it on, because it tapped into the audience’s love for the characters and this universe (well, at least its most loyal fans). I appreciated the fact that the scene was short, simple, with barely any dialogue and it was a pleasure to be back at Platform 9 3/4. That’s why I think it works in the film quite well.
I think one of the biggest problems this franchise has had is that they started filming the movies way before the last book came out, and therefore because of that they wrote themselves into so many wholes. They weren’t even thinking of a a Harry/ Ginny pairing when they cast these young actors, and so the chemistry is understandibly off, and they got rid of storylines that became important later on because they didn’t know they would be. That’s why a lot of the groundwork was missing. Yes, if they had waited until all the books had been released, we wouldn’t have Dan, Rupert and Emma in the lead roles, but I think we would also have less plot holes and less clumsy storytelling (because of the fanbase, the adaptations were always going to be rather timid).
With that said, I really enjoyed this final film and it was a fitting goodbye to the franchise. I teared up in a few scenes, and despite the problems this film has, it is still very good in my opinion.
Fantastic. People need to realize this was only one half of the final movie, and both Parts need to be viewed as one movie. I loved the epilogue too!
In other news, NO “Dark Knight Rises” teaser. What the hell?
I have never read a Harry Potter book. I never really cared about the franchise or saw any of the movies until this past Monday. After seeing that I then continued through the rest of them until today with the latest film. I loved it, and I think it’s my favorite movie I’ve seen so far this year. I’m not really worried about the Oscar prospects and whether or not it will get nominated for Best Picture, I just found it satisfying and an overall terrific time. Job well done to all involved.
Was good, enjoyed it… not my fav of the series (probably not even top 4), the epilogue was a joke though, in the book I am sure it worked way better, but they looked rediculous… they just should have had their kids at the station in clear view and maybe the group as adults where you couldnt see their faces or something… just didnt work.
How did it not work? The makeup was effectively subtle, Harry and Ron certainly looked great. I can understand complaints about Hermione, though, who didn’t look touched at all. But this was a terrific scene, recalling sweet nostalgic memories from that beginning, all those years ago.
It’s interesting how critical folks are of this film (and series) here, given how that Transformers thing seemed to get a pretty decent response. I guess expectations are everything.
Anyways, there’s absolutely no way a film adaptation of a long book is going to avoid “glossing over” some of the (supposed, based on individual responses) “key” moments in a book. Different levels of dramatic emphasis are surely to be expected.
The logic with regards to magic and mortality is all pretty convoluted, but as someone who’s never read the books, and only seen the movies, I had a really good time. Unlike most impersonal blockbusters, I was quite invested in the fates of the lead and peripheral characters. And I especially appreciated all the groundwork laid in previous installments with regards to the geography of Hogwarts, internally (I realize they seemed to position it more on a cliff than before), and all its hidden rooms and treasures. It made it that much more meaningful when it was being ripped apart at the seams, unlike most action film climaxes, which often take place in some random location that the audience has no investment in.
Re: Rotten Tomatoes, I usually take a closer look at the Critical Average, as opposed to the Percentage Fresh, and this film is being received exceptionally well in that regard.
Best mainstream film I’ve seen this summer, whatever its (supposed) flaws. The epilogue might’ve been bland, but at least it didn’t go on for nearly an hour.
Speaking English- Really? That’s to bad. I had the TDKR teaser at my showing.
Yeah, I think the projectionist screwed up or something. Or maybe he/she was feeling evil and wanted to keep us from seeing the teaser. Either way, I was pissed, and I don’t even care about Batman that much!
They didn’t show any teasers/trailers at my IMAX showing of HP7Pt2 either…just straight to the movie.
For the record, all I saw were trailers for Cowboys & Aliens and Sherlock Holmes 2. The teaser for TDKR will be online Monday.
All of the most memorable music was from williams. I wonder what desplat did.
I responded most to the subdued choir stuff, but I admit I don’t know if it was original or not.
Good as Desplat is at scoring movies, his strength is not writing memorable themes, almost a decade long career and perhaps his most memorable theme comes from New Moon.
Williams’ original themes still have so much power and a wow factor that at all the most important moments in the film, his stuff was reprised and it instantly fit and enhanced the scene to no end.
This was so sorely lacking from movies 4 to 7, none of them much used Williams music and it never sounded great. Now in the last movie they use it in spades and it works wonders, because there is such a huge recognition factor with them.
I really wish Williams had been able to take out the time for this, apparently he agreed first but had to bow out later with duties on two Spielberg movies. The movie would have been better for his contribution. Desplat is good and all but there is only one John fucking Williams.
Sunrise at whatever is probably the closest he’s come to a theme, I love it. (Benjamin Button)