Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (2011)

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, directed by David Yates, is the final film in the Harry Potter franchise and is the second in a two-part split of J.K. Rowling's novel of the same name. As the hunt for the Horcruxes continues, Harry Potter ( Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley ( Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger ( Emma Watson) are coming ever closer to ridding the wizarding world of the wicked Lord Voldemort ( Ralph Fiennes) once and for all.

Production

Cast

Originally, Emma Thompson said in a November 2008 interview with MTV Movies that she wouldn't be returning as Professor Sybil Trelawney as she wished to focus on the follow-up film to her own franchise, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. Thompson explained that she wasn't emotionally or particularly creatively attached to the Harry Potter franchise. In a March 2010 interview with CBBC's Newsround, Thompson stated that "someone got a bee in their bonnet" and it was "completely false" that she wasn't going to appear in Deathly Hallows, having already completed her two days filming.

Due to Jamie Waylett being charged with cannabis possession, his fellow actor Joshua Herdman spoke at a convention that Waylett would not be returning and his character Vincent Crabbe would be written out. His role in the plot was instead replaced with Herdman's character, Gregory Goyle.

Release

Premiere

Radcliffe, Rowling, Watson and Grint at the world premiere in London's Trafalgar Square

The world premiere was held on 7 July, 2011. Due to the monumental capacity and the fact that the normal location of Leicester Square was undergoing renovation, the premiere was held in London's Trafalgar Square - marking not only the UK's largest movie event, but also the first time the historic location has been used for a premiere. Fans came from all over the world and camped out for three days in order to get a position near the red carpet. The red carpet stretched three-quarters of a mile (1.2km) - since it went all the way from Trafalgar Square to the film's screening in Trafalgar Square - and is believed to be the longest in the world. The event was also streamed live over the internet, on Sky 3D and in select cinemas around the country, with Edith Bowman and Alex Zane interviewing the stars as they arrived.

"Whether it's by the page or the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books and producer on the final film

Emotional speeches were given by key talent such as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling in which they thanked everyone in attendance and all those who had made the series possible.

The U.S. premiere was held on 11 July, 2011 and took place at Lincoln Center in New York City. Radcliffe, Grint, Watson, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton and Alan Rickman were the main cast in attendance.

Reception

The film received outpourings of praise from critics. A total of 259 reviews on aggregator Rotten Tomatoesaccumulated an approval rating of 97% and an average score of 8.4/10, marking the film as "certified fresh". The top critics (outlets selected for their reputability) grouped together for a 100% rating. The general consensus is describes as "thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying -- and suitably magical -- conclusion". By comparison, Metacritic, which pulls together mainstream reviews to create a normalized rating, calculated an average of 87% based on 41 reviews.

Writing for Empire magazine, Helen O'Hara cites Radcliffe's performance as the "best he's ever been" and praised the film for the emotional backbone amidst all the action. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw said that seeing the film reminded him of the thrill he felt when seeing the first, ten years ago, also complimenting the set piece moments. Roger Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, commented on how impressively staged the film is and the fact that "the dialogue is given proper weight and not hurried through". Ebert also complimented the scene stealing adult cast who upstage the three leads "just by standing there". Rolling Stone's Peter Travers is in agreement, singling out Helena Bonham Carter as her "flat out hilarious" portrayal as Hermione when breaking into Gringotts. Travers was critical of Part 1's slower approach, but is in full praise of Part 2, noting the visual marvels, but also Steve Kloves' ability to weave heart into the characters, with Travers commenting that "you'll remember Harry's touching reunion with the ghosts of his murdered parents and headmaster Albus Dumbledore" more than the final battle with Voldemort.