We have reached the end of the very eagerly awaited (and a little dreaded) conclusion of the Harry Potter series. The World Premiere in London last Thursday was broadcast live in many cinemas as well as online while hundreds of fans camped out for three nights to catch a glimpse of the team behind Harry Potter on their last walk down the red carpet. There was a massive turnout from fans all over the world who wanted to give this series that they have grown up with a proper send off. The event spread out over Trafalgar Square and Leicester square in one of the biggest premieres the world has even seen. After a couple of hours of signing autographs and greeting fans, the trio (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint) and JK Rowling shared a teary goodbye on stage. Greeted with roars of elated screams, Rowling joked “You know what, maybe I’ll just write another one.” When screams subsided she announced “It is a joke, but you know I’ve never come closer than standing up here tonight.” This atmosphere of love and affection for the world she has constructed was contagious even to the woman that created it all.

The fastest selling book in history, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was divided into two films. Some believe that this was simply a money making decision but I feel that it was a very essential choice to do justice to the final book. The reason for this is that the pacing of each half of the book is completely different. The first half shows the despair the trio are going through in their hunt for the horcruxes. If this was chopped down to an hour of screen time or much less as would have been necessary, it would make their journey seem effortless and uncomplicated. There would be no build-up and the atmosphere would be all wrong. The second half of the book is much more action packed and the movie Deathly Hallows part II is much the same. After a short sombre beginning, this is an all out action flick. It just doesn’t stop. The film picks up right where it left off at Shell Cottage, which is perfect for those who have had a Harry Potter marathon leading up to the final film.

The absence of Hogwarts in the first movie is made up for with the majority of action in Part II taking place in the castle. As a result of the split, the plot of Deathly Hallows Part II has the advantage of staying very faithful to the book. Any changes made were necessary for pacing or to give more screen time to the talented subsidiary cast members yet nothing feels incredibly absent like some of the other movies. Director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves do a fantastic job with ambiance and pacing which leaves this movie one that you’ll watch from the edge of your seat, especially those that haven’t read the book. I do feel however that a lot of the details were kept in for the fans of the books, certain parts of the narrative may have those that haven’t read the books wondering about their relevance. All in all, this truly is an epic finale that ties up every loose end and in doing so, shows just how far ahead Rowling planned when writing these books. Everything is kicked up a notch, just as these young actors have grown so has the complexity and scale of the narrative. All of the hype is justified and I was left feeling like this magical conclusion was well worth waiting for.

After a decade of having a new movie to look forward to, the end is bittersweet. At the London Premiere, Rowling finished her speech with a consoling line “Whether you return by page or big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” Her books have been translated into at least 67 languages and millions of people around the world have been captivated by J.K. Rowling’s creation. That kind of attachment to a story doesn’t just disappear. Harry Potter may be over but I believe Stephen King put it perfectly when he said “I think Harry will take his place with Alice, Huck, Frodo and Dorothy and that this series is not just for the decade but for the ages.”

Deathly Hallows Part II opens at midnight tonight in most cinemas.

Related Posts:

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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