Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

[soonforgotten]

I turned up at the O2 around 17.20 and was surprised that they already seemed to be slowly letting people in. There were no scanners (so much for emphasis on the barcodes) and no allocated seating, only instructions to not leave gaps between groups. Following the recent trend there were no goodies from sky such as popcorn or water. I didn't mind so much at Larry Crowne but it would have been nice for this given how long we had to sit in there between getting good seats and waiting for the film to finally start.

The red carpet stuff got a bit tedious. The whole Harry Potter business means very little to me, so I was quite non-plus’d by all the luvviness of it all. I did appreciate Radcliffe acknowledging how lucky he got. Of course, then there was Emma Watson to tell him it wasn’t luck. What she should have said was, “Now me- I was real lucky”. It was lovely to see my kooky neighbour (well she lives somewhere in my vicinity) Helena Bonham-Carter refuse to look into the camera and being all-around strange and doesn’t Alan Rickman seem a bit difficult. Otherwise, meh. It was great for everyone who was there, I’m sure. I’ll never understand people crying over getting someone’s autograph, though. I can’t begin to understand it.

Once the film begins the viewed is subjected to ‘Ooooh, watch the amazing 3D as we pan through the studio logo’, closely followed by ‘Ooooh, watch the amazing 3D as we pan through the film title’. Yes, how impressive. The film quickly picks up where the first part left off (apparently, I couldn’t remember it personally). The action kicks in soon after. The abysmal 3D aside, the action scenes are great and there is so much going on in this film visually, the 3D really isn’t needed and often times detracts from the brilliant effects and set designs.

This film is definitely Harry v Voldemort and it delivers very well throughout the film even if the final battle is somewhat anti-climactic. I’ve only seen HP7 part 1 but I really enjoyed the Snape flashback sequence. I thought it was brilliantly done it made sense to someone as Potterly clueless as me. I agree that the “big” kiss felt very rushed and shoe-horned into that scene. Not knowing the entire back story, that moment meant nothing to me. I liked the 19 years later scene because it adds much needed closure. They should have aged Emma better though.

While I did enjoy this, I think it would be best viewed alongside part 1 as this is more or less all climax. I don’t feel it’s a complete film experience on its own, but then that may have never been the intention. Good fun, but probably not mind-blowing unless you’re a proper fan. 8/10

[weliveandbreathewords]

I agree 100% with your words soonforgotten :)

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

sorry glassie, I cant agree with your opinion of watto, for me shes blatantly pants in many scenes dunno if you were watching a different version to me. but i agree Radcliffe has come on well and Rupert has been good (if a little 2d later) from the start. I dont think I can see anyone else playing potter now, but I can easily envisage Hermione being replaced with someone like say Dakota Blue Richards (Frankie from the new Skins). Emma shone in the first two films when she was just being herself, I grant you that.

Its probably a bit mean of me to pick on kids as Beate says, I hope I am not being too harsh but her acting is a major turnoff in the movies. At the IMAX marathon she got lots of unintentional laughs so there might be a reason her name is used as the definition of the worst british actress in Urban Dictionary http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... %20actress

Come on Raj, why are you linking to such a trashy, teenaged jealousy ridden page?! I feel somewhat poisoned having clicked on that link, I rather read a News of the World paper if given the deathly choice...far more intelligent and cleaner in comparison

Which parts did people laugh unintentionally? I'd like to know because I can think of a few moments but not with Emma Watson, but with more established thespians. Even the best actors can get unintentional laughs if the scene wasnt directed well enough.

Funniest unintential laugh moment was "He was their FRIEND!". Also John Cleese's Nearly Headless Nick "I always knew he would do well".

[weliveandbreathewords]

I can add to that Glassy: At the end of this one, there was a cinema wide unintentionally laugh [spoiler]Voldemorts goofy laugh after he announces that Harry Potter is dead![/spoiler]

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I can add to that Glassy: At the end of this one, there was a cinema wide unintentionally laugh [spoiler]Voldemorts goofy laugh after he announces that Harry Potter is dead![/spoiler]

[spoiler]Yes! that part cracked me up too!. I honestly laughed out loudest during that moment, nearly forgot about that, lol.[/spoiler]

[brettie]

loved it myself, but did anyone get any pics of the diagon alley they built along the red carpet?

[butterfly]

I really enjoyed the movie, created a rounded send off for the series. yes i agree with what other have said, that it's not a stand alone film, you need part 1 along side it. rather surprised at the empty seats in the cinema. wasn't overly impressed with the ageing of character they looked far to young. plus the kiss... think it showed that they got it sprung on them. 9/10

[elski]

Well I watched it without having seen part 1 (or film numbers 2, 4, 5 and 6) or read any of the books and I managed to follow it fine as a stand-alone film and by the sound of it I might find it boring if I went back to watch part 1 now.

[SocialFlutterBy]

I really enjoyed the movie, created a rounded send off for the series. yes i agree with what other have said, that it's not a stand alone film, you need part 1 along side it. rather surprised at the empty seats in the cinema. wasn't overly impressed with the ageing of character they looked far to young. plus the kiss... think it showed that they got it sprung on them. 9/10

i actualy thought they got the Kiss bang on!! teenagers, first kisses, generally clumsy affairs anyway

[artic_fox]

I really enjoyed the film - felt it was a very fitting end to the series. I didn't mind some of the red carpet stuff but it did go on for a bit!

Unlike lots of people, I didn't mind the 3D! I think maybe it is because I detest 3D so much generally, that the use of it in this film was more subtle and generally less 'in your face' so I found myself pleasantly okay with it. Also, I just found it pretty visually stunning to begin with: the special effects, cinematography, lighting, etc. And I think the trio of main actors have all developed brilliantly into their roles over the years.

I'm interested to see how people view it when it goes on wide release, but I imagine its going to fair quite well, of course! :)