Eye Candy #561 - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2:  Seven books and eight films later, the Harry Potter franchise draws to a close.  Picking up directly after the end of “Deathly Hallows, Part 1”, Harry and friends Ron and Hermione must complete their quest to destroy the remaining horcruxes that contain pieces of Voldemort’s soul so that he can be defeated once and for all, while rousing their friends and allies into action against him and his evil cronies to save Hogwart’s, their way of life, and their world.   Director David Yates has been on board the franchise since “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, giving the franchise more visual continuity than previous directors and fully grasping the general darkness of the last several books (they’ve become less and less like children’s books and movies).  Several changes from the source material here, with most of the supporting cast put on the back-burner (the Battle of Hogwarts is neutered quite a bit, as Yate chose to focus on the main trio rather than the other players, which is unfortunate as there are/were some good bits for some of them).  And many of the players from previous entries are back as well for one final hurrah.  The battle and its rejoinder take up the bulk of the film, and what we get to see of it is well-staged.  We also get a bit in the vaults at Gringot’s that is done well.  My favorite performance – actually it’s Warwick Davis playing Griphook the Goblin.  For some reason, I thought he handled it extremely well and was unrecognizable.  My main complaint, aside from the supporting cast mostly relegated to the shadows, is length – there is really no good reason that this couldn’t have been done as a single film.   There are so many lingering shots on faces and reactions that it gives the film a bloated running time.  It’s the same problem part 1 had.   You just want them to hurry up and DO SOMETHING.  Oh, and the aging effects for the epilogue at the end aren’t all that believable.  As a movie, it’s fine.  As a series conclusion, I was hoping for a little more.  I don’t think it’s the best film in the bunch (my favorites are parts 4-5).  And this film is definitely for completists who have seen all the previous films.  If you haven’t, good luck - the creators don’t bother to wait for you.  Woodchuck sez, “Worth a look.”