Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

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Plot: The finale of the Harry Potter series with the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldemort including a big battle scene at Hogwart's. 

Review: Deathly Hallows 2 is an energetic and satisfying conclusion to the epic series that has magic and personality. The final movie has the story line and characters of the previous seven movies to set up a grand conclusion, and we enjoy the climax. People not already familiar with the story should stay home.

I enjoyed seeing Hermione and Ron struggling with evil enchantments, and then kissing when they succeed. We like seeing Neville overcoming people's expectations of him. We like seeing McGonagall beat Snape in a duel.

The visuals are good and provoke the feeling of a epic. The special effects are flawless and not noticeable. The dragon and the giants are particularly good.

The main actors continue to do a fine job, but not exceptional. Helena Bonham Carter is exceptional though, especially when she plays Hermione. I would like to have seen some emotion from Ralph Fiennes' Voldermort besides rage. Even though Voldemort has a big back story, he seems like a monolithic bad guy.

Every movie has not been great in this series, but this is one of the best. Probably one of the year's top ten.

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman

Directed by: David Yates; based on the book by J.K. Rowling

Rating:   3.5 stars; because it was so fun to watch. This movie does take on the topic of death, but not to the extent the book does. It is an Action-Adventure movie without commentary on the meaning of life, as was there in the last book. 

More: Why are the Malfoys shown running away from the castle at the end. Is this the seed of sequel?

Even more: I want to see it again, but this time in 3D.

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