It's hard for me to begin. :-) I don't want to spoil the brilliance that I saw last night with my own foolish attempt to describe it. As an aspiring writer, seeing the awesomeness that was the last book put into movie form perfectly was a gift. But as a person, I felt touched. Growing up with these books, I developed an attachment and an admiration for them that one has for a close friend. And now that they've grown up and the battle is won, I feel a sense of pride for them and a feeling of happiness for sticking with them to the end.
But enough of my sentimentality! The movie was amazing, and amazing isn't a big enough word for it! The action in the book that kept your heart pumping was multiplied 10-fold! As Voldemort's army marched on Hogwarts, I could feel everyone in the theater holding their breath. This was it. And then the battle began, the adrenaline rush hit, and there was no going back. ;-)
But any movie can have great action; this one had heart and soul. You saw all of Harry's classmates when he returns to Hogwarts, fighting and dying, and everything they've prepared for, everything you knew would happen, explodes in this last battle. There was a certain heart-felt weight throughout the movie; everyone was together again, and the realization of how much Harry and his friends have been through is sinking in.
Another thing I love about this book/movie is how Harry goes from searching to find why everyone thinks he's so great, trying to live up to their expectations, to accepting them and stepping up to the plate. Of course he's done so before, but now all the cards are on the table, all the secrets are revealed, close friends have died....the climax has hit, and Harry takes matters into his own hands. The boy from the cupboard has definitely grown up.
And naturally, the acting by everyone was superb! Intense, realistic, funny, wonderful...I can't think of enough comments :-)
The deaths were the hardest for me (second to having to say goodbye to Harry). Although painful, I was hoping for them to elaborate on Fred's death more. He certainly deserved it; he was amazing! Seeing him on the floor, dead, was harsh... listening to George cry, was too much. Although you only see Fred for 30 seconds, I was already crying like a baby (as was everyone in the theater; I heard tissues blowing alot.). That certainly brought realization and hard-core-down-to-earth slap to the whole movie. You realize the darkest part of the tunnel is ahead.
And then there was Snape's death. His and Fred's were so sad in the book; seeing it up in your face was cold. Granted, you don't see Fred die, but Snape...my gosh! In the book, he only gets bitten by Nagini once (maybe twice), but in the movie, Voldemort slits his through...then, you go outside the window were Harry's sitting and you see Nagini striking Snape through the blurry glass. Smack! Smack! Smack! All the while, Snape's gasping in pain. It was gory and harsh, but they portrayed it well. Naturally, being a Snape fan (from book 1 thank you!), I'm practically in fetal position now. Harry goes in after Voldemort leaves and tries to stop the blood. That death scene and Rickman's portrayal of it...I can't tell it well enough. You'll just have to go see it. Beautiful. ;-)
The final fight between Harry and Voldemort was incredible. They elaborated a bit more on it, putting you on the edge of your seat. But in the end, the moment we knew would happen since page 1 of The Sorcerer's Stone, comes. Voldemort is killed, and my theater let out a collective sigh (no joke). It was over, and I couldn't have felt more happy for Harry. :-) Hermione and Ron share a kiss (everyone cheered for that), Mollly Weasley kicked Bellatrix's butt (they cheered for that too), Neville shows us the bravery we all knew he had, and Luna was just--well--Luna. :-) the last scene you see (in the present) is Harry, Hermione, and Ron standing at the edge of Hogwarts, together. It was simple, but touching, proving why Harry Potter will be among classics someday; it wasn't just a story, it was about life.
And then, the epilogue we've all been waiting for: 19 years later. The CG graphics used to make the actors older was great :-) Seeing Harry with Ginny, older, with their kids, gave you a sense of peace. It was all going to be ok ;-) And then the famous advice Harry gave to his son and explaining his name's sake...and it was over. Beautifully, lovingly, sadly over.
I have only one disappointment in the whole movie. While in previous films they gave the hints that Dumbledore's past was complicated and full of secrets, they never had Dumbledore explain it to Harry when he sees him at "King's Cross", leaving a sort of empty feeling...almost making you want to think badly of him. I sincerely hope there are extended scenes in the dvd package.
But other than that, I give it 20 out of 5 stars X-) Everyone should see it.
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