Monday was quite a potent day for me. Whilst a jaunty trip to the local multiplex may not seem that big a deal, it was actually more of an act of closure. Whilst there's bound to be plenty of blogs being all misty-eyed and soppy about the film, I'd just like to quickly say that, yes, like everybody else my age, I've grown up with Harry. I've always been a Potter fan, since getting the first book for my birthday, years before The Philosophers Stone was released as a movie. As shaky as that first film was, the series has grown into a genuine piece of cinematic gold, one of few series to hold viewers interest that well over the span of eight films whilst also maintaining a consistent level of quality. Perhaps Daniel Radcliffe isn't the best actor in the world, but he's genuinely believable. You can see him as somebody with power thrust upon him, instead of opting to lead the life he ended up having to. Rupert Grint is the only 'good actor' amongst the regular child cast, but then I'd argue most of them are in the same boat as Harry himself.
Anyway, what of the eighth instalment itself? It's really rather good. It is, indeed, an act of closure on the worldwide global phenonium (A world I nor the spellchecker can spell) that the trailers keep reminding us it is.While I felt the final battle was somewhat understated, it generally worked quite well. David Yates is a fantastic director, and certainly the right man for the job, creating an air of uncertainty amongst even those of us who have read the book multiple times. The constant nods to previous films work very, very well, fully embracing the source material and the folklore JK Rowling has built up, rather than ignoring the world of Harry Potter to focus on the man himself, which may have made for a better stand-alone film, but Yates' decisson makes for a fans' treat instead. A special mention must also go to Helen Bonerman-Carter for her performance as Hermione being Belatrix. Totally convincing and spot-on as somebody 'trying out' someone elses body, and attempting to command the same respect. In fact, the whole Gringots heist scene was excellent, and one of few scenes that made me glad of the extra £4 I spent on 3D glasses. Otherwise, however, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by the extra dimension. I was reluctant to pay the extras, but in the end was forced to sit there with glasses in my lap, making the most of what little light the film had without the shades there to take it away.
There were some definate moments of wobble, though- Nevile beheading the snake, Nagini, was nowhere near as daramtic as I remember it in the book. he randomly pulls out the sword of Godric Griffindor waaaaay too early, and his swipe is fittingly dramatic, but I wasn't too fond of the angle that Yates picked, though it's a minor quibble. Speaking of the Quibbler, a word has to go out to the actress playing the daughter of the author of that fine paper. (Tenious segway, but I made it) When she first appeared in Order of the Phoenix, I wasn't fond of her portrayal of the loopy Luna Lovegood, but she's really grown on me to the point in which I couldn't imagine anybody else in the role.
It's funny how much Potter lore has actually been ignored in the film. While Cho Chang makes a cameo and Seamus Finnigan pops up to give his usual Irish performance, I wanted to see more from the Weasley twins (Aside from Hagrid, they've always been my favourite characters) before a certain unfortunate incident involving one of the two and Molly Weasley not casting the killing curse was disapointing. Yet, despite all this, it's a well-tied up end to a series of which I have been a big fan. You can expect more on the series from me in the future.
8 Kingsly Shacklebolts out of 10
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