My Thoughts on Deathly Hallows Part 2
Jul. 15th, 2011 11:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowfireflameSPOILER ALERT: You have been warned.
Due to awesome timing, I got to see both an all-afternoon/evening concert and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on the same day (well, bleeding into Friday, July 15), so now I am exhausted but very pleased. It seems odd to say that it’s over and all is well, because there is so much new material being produced daily in the fandom. So I guess I’ll say I feel privileged to have grown up with these colourful characters, and I hope that I can continue to mature as gracefully as they have. Harry and his universe live on.
Clearly the movie is amazing, as everyone knew it had to be, but I’ll put what I specifically liked and disliked under the cut. I’ve only seen it once, of course, so I may go back and edit quotes I’ve botched from memory. By the way, I very much like the souvenir Harry Potter glasses we got at the midnight showing! :)
What I enjoyed (in no particular order):
—Dobby’s tomb being in “the Harry Potter font.” Too sweet.
—Hermione. Just…Hermione, I love you so much. In the books, you’re much more morally ambiguous, but you are so phenomenal in the movies. I love her “That’s barbaric” line when she sees the dragon who is taught to expect pain. And the fact that it was her idea to ride him on out of there just fits so nicely with her character. Loved that she got to destroy a Horcrux and we got to see it! Loved the little laugh she and Ron shared after the *gasp* kiss. Loved that she knew what Harry would have to do probably before even he did. And her face when she thinks for a second Neville is going over to the Death Eaters? Man, that is the definition of heartbreaking.
—Trio riding a dragon! Trio riding a dragon! I’ve been waiting for eight freakin’ movies to see this. Except it was more “trio clutching desperately at a dragon,” but whatever.
—Oh, Snape. Oh, Alan Rickman. Everything about Snape in this movie was perfect (except the CGI to make his face younger in that one scene when he says he’ll do anything for Dumbledore, but whatever). I was so grateful he and Harry got that final scene together. And the way Snape says, “Take them, please,” was ridiculously moving to me; he has to beg Harry, who owes him so much, to look at his life. I adore that he got to hold Lily when she was dead as little Harry watches on and sobs. I cried three times when reading the last book, but this was the only time I teared up during any of the movies. Bravo, seriously.
—The Neville/Luna shipping! I mean, really, it’s not canon, but I always thought it should be. Or rather, I genuinely think that Harry and Luna (or Hermione; the movie makes a strong case for Hermione) belong together and Neville and Ginny work well. But the movie cements my dislike of Harry/Ginny, unfortunately.
—Okay, possibly my most favorite thing in all the movies: Harry being physically pained when the other Horcruxes were destroyed, and Hermione noticing and giving Ron That Look. Like something is not right here. I think this movie was my favorite for Harry’s characterization. Everyone knows exactly who he is now. He’s so brave and is willing to give up so much (“I think I’ve know it for some time now,” oh my heart) while under such extreme pressure.
—You know what? Voldemort was seriously fantastic. I don’t know why I’m surprised that Ralph Fiennes is a wonderful actor, but there it is. And little starving Voldemort baby soul was perfectly done, just like I’d imagined.
—"Lightning has struck! Lightning has struck!" over the wireless was awesome. Really great touch.
—At first it really bothered me that they switched Crabbe's role for Goyle and Zabini because Jamie Waylett was charged with growing marijuana, but the more I dwell on it, I actually think I like this better. I think of it this way: with Crabbe working more closely with the Carrows, Draco starts to distance himself and thus becomes closer to Zabini, who has the advantage of a brain (and good looks to boot!), so he naturally grabs him instead of Crabbe when he really needs someone. I think it reflects better on Draco this way.
—Speaking of Draco, yay for the Malfoys in this! I was so terrified that Voldy was going to kill Lucius in the boathouse along with Snape, and I’m so glad it didn’t happen. I LOVED the Malfoys walking off the battle together, loved Narcissa, loved that Draco didn’t move until his mom called him, like he’s learned to not trust his father now—I even loved Voldemort’s supremely awkward attempt to hug Draco. That was adorable. In an evil sort of way. Did anyone else find it sad that Voldemort never got to hear that his wand actually belonged to Draco and then Harry, though? And of course I appreciated Harry clarifying that Draco did recognize him at Malfoy Manor but chose not to give him away *happy dance*. I didn’t like Draco in the epilogue, as I knew I wouldn’t, but as my boyfriend pointed out, it has interesting implications. We both agreed that Draco should have looked more polished in the epilogue, “more like his father.” But then we remembered how scruffy Lucius has looked in the past three movies. So if you look at Draco’s gross little beard/goatee thing, it kind of implies that the Malfoys as a family never really recover from working for Voldemort. Which is quite sad, especially when you think of Narcissa’s heroism.
—Kids in this movie? It’s been a delightful pleasure to watch you grow up and to grow up with you. Thank you. I hope you all have wonderful careers now that you are free to do whatever you want to with your lives. You certainly have a lifelong fan here.
And now for some things that bothered me or that I downright hated:
—Ron: “Well, that was unfortunate.” Yes, Ron, yes, it was. It was unfortunate that you couldn’t think to lift your Unforgivable Imperius curse before the completely innocent bystander Gringotts goblin was unnecessarily burned to death by a dragon before your eyes. I don’t know if egregious neglect leading to death is murder in the wizarding world, but Ron, this makes you a cold-blooded murderer for this film in my eyes. And then the moviemakers had the gall to time it as a comedic line (that clearly worked since so many people in my theater laughed). It just made me slightly nauseous. I expect to see that senseless kind of stunt in stupid action movies, not in films which had previously made it so clear that Harry, at least, truly values all life, including non-humans. Burying Dobby without magic was what made him so admirable in Griphook’s eyes, after all. It’s just really disappointing that after all this time, Ron so obviously doesn’t share his values. I don’t understand why seeing Dobby killed horribly is worthy of tears, when seeing another magical creature killed even more horribly is funny. Okay, enough ranting, but that was the number one worst thing in this movie for me.
—Come to think of it, Ron, there were several things you did in this movie that I really couldn’t get behind. Not hugging Harry when you at least suspect he’s about to go off and sacrifice himself? Really? I know the “If we die for them, I’ll kill you, Harry,” line is canon, but it seemed really cruel in the movie. And did I notice you’d gained something of a beer belly in the epilogue scene? Because that seems rather out of character to me. Or did Ron’s metabolism finally give out? I don’t know, I really love Ron in the books, flaws and all, but I didn’t really like the choices he made in the last two movies/last book. It might be clouding my judgment a bit. However, I really did love that "Harry talks in his sleep" line.
—As in the books, there was no love for Tonks in the last movie. Or Colin Creevey! At least Lupin got some love. And I really did want to meet Andromeda Black Tonks, so I was a bit disappointed on that front. :(
—And speaking of Weasleys performing Unforgiveables, as my boyfriend pointed out, that spell Molly did on Bellatrix did not look legal. I’m not saying it necessarily should have been; obviously Bellatrix was teh evils, just…damn, Mrs. Weasley. You scare me, and I’m not sure I like it. Definitely didn’t like the creepy look on her face after the fact.
—Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione Polyjuiced as Bellatrix was not as fun as I had expected. It wasn’t bad or anything, just really awkward instead of funny.
—McGonagall's “lock all the Slytherins in the dungeons!” and the irritating cheer that produced. And the fact that anti-Slytherin prejudice is still so common 19 years later. I know, I know, it's canon, but it still annoys the hell out of me. Not all Slytherins are evil. Does the presence of Snape and Slughorn mean nothing? Snape gave his whole life to protecting Harry and defeating Voldemort, and Harry doesn't even bother to tell his son about the man he was named for until he's about to leave for Hogwarts? WTF?
—C’mon, where were the crazed fighting house elves or trampeding centaurs? Or even Grawp? Or any magical creatures fighting for the wizards? Where was Kreacher with his frying pan of doom?
—Man, Helena Ravenclaw was too scary for me! I was too busy to pay attention to her, though; I kept thinking, “Wow, it’s that Scottish maid from Gosford Park!”
—Aberforth was okay. Loved that uber-powerful Patronus. However…I confess to wanting to see a couple of goats wandering round his flat looking affronted.
—Gandalf Dumbledore appearing in King’s Cross and saying, “You wonderful boy. You brave, brave man,” basically right after Harry learned that it was Dumbledore who had been doing the whole pig-to-the-slaughter thing to Harry his whole life. And Harry theoretically didn’t know at that moment that he was going to live. I don’t know, that line struck me as supremely creepy, like a terrible murdering psychopath patting Harry on the head instead of a proud, genial old man. And then Dumbledore messed up his last line. This is the correct line: “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” (723). In the movie it was more like: “Of course it’s all in your head. Why shouldn’t that mean it’s not real?” which makes Harry seem crazy. It seriously needed the “but why on earth” in there.
—The epilogue. It’s not that it was terrible. It didn’t make me cringe per se, the kids were cute, and I liked that the same actress who plays little Lily Evans plays little Lily Potter. It’s just that we really don’t need it. It's a major letdown after all that arse-kicking and wizarding-world-saving. They should have cut it from the books and cut it from the movie. It seems so limiting to the trio’s promising futures. No matter what else they do, they have to have a ton of kids in that tight window. I just don’t see Hermione having the time for that sort of thing. Unless she magically discovers a new handy time turner…
—By the way, did anyone notice if Harry had a scar in the epilogue? I somehow missed it!
My ranking of Harry Potter books (most to least enjoyed):
1. Goblet of Fire (book 4)
2. Half-Blood Prince (book 6)
3. Order of the Phoenix (book 5)
4. Prisoner of Azkaban (book 3)
5. Deathly Hallows (book 7)
6. Chamber of Secrets (book 2)
7. Philosopher’s Stone (book 1)
My ranking of Harry Potter movies (most to least enjoyed):
1. Order of the Phoenix (movie 5)
2. Deathly Hallows Part 2 (movie 8)
3. Half Blood Prince (movie 6)
4. Prisoner of Azkaban (movie 3)
5. Goblet of Fire (movie 4)
6. Sorcerer’s Stone (movie 1)
7. Deathly Hallows Part 1 (movie 7)
8. Chamber of Secrets (movie 2)
So, yeah. Mischief Managed, guys. Mischief Managed.
Due to awesome timing, I got to see both an all-afternoon/evening concert and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on the same day (well, bleeding into Friday, July 15), so now I am exhausted but very pleased. It seems odd to say that it’s over and all is well, because there is so much new material being produced daily in the fandom. So I guess I’ll say I feel privileged to have grown up with these colourful characters, and I hope that I can continue to mature as gracefully as they have. Harry and his universe live on.
Clearly the movie is amazing, as everyone knew it had to be, but I’ll put what I specifically liked and disliked under the cut. I’ve only seen it once, of course, so I may go back and edit quotes I’ve botched from memory. By the way, I very much like the souvenir Harry Potter glasses we got at the midnight showing! :)
What I enjoyed (in no particular order):
—Dobby’s tomb being in “the Harry Potter font.” Too sweet.
—Hermione. Just…Hermione, I love you so much. In the books, you’re much more morally ambiguous, but you are so phenomenal in the movies. I love her “That’s barbaric” line when she sees the dragon who is taught to expect pain. And the fact that it was her idea to ride him on out of there just fits so nicely with her character. Loved that she got to destroy a Horcrux and we got to see it! Loved the little laugh she and Ron shared after the *gasp* kiss. Loved that she knew what Harry would have to do probably before even he did. And her face when she thinks for a second Neville is going over to the Death Eaters? Man, that is the definition of heartbreaking.
—Trio riding a dragon! Trio riding a dragon! I’ve been waiting for eight freakin’ movies to see this. Except it was more “trio clutching desperately at a dragon,” but whatever.
—Oh, Snape. Oh, Alan Rickman. Everything about Snape in this movie was perfect (except the CGI to make his face younger in that one scene when he says he’ll do anything for Dumbledore, but whatever). I was so grateful he and Harry got that final scene together. And the way Snape says, “Take them, please,” was ridiculously moving to me; he has to beg Harry, who owes him so much, to look at his life. I adore that he got to hold Lily when she was dead as little Harry watches on and sobs. I cried three times when reading the last book, but this was the only time I teared up during any of the movies. Bravo, seriously.
—The Neville/Luna shipping! I mean, really, it’s not canon, but I always thought it should be. Or rather, I genuinely think that Harry and Luna (or Hermione; the movie makes a strong case for Hermione) belong together and Neville and Ginny work well. But the movie cements my dislike of Harry/Ginny, unfortunately.
—Okay, possibly my most favorite thing in all the movies: Harry being physically pained when the other Horcruxes were destroyed, and Hermione noticing and giving Ron That Look. Like something is not right here. I think this movie was my favorite for Harry’s characterization. Everyone knows exactly who he is now. He’s so brave and is willing to give up so much (“I think I’ve know it for some time now,” oh my heart) while under such extreme pressure.
—You know what? Voldemort was seriously fantastic. I don’t know why I’m surprised that Ralph Fiennes is a wonderful actor, but there it is. And little starving Voldemort baby soul was perfectly done, just like I’d imagined.
—"Lightning has struck! Lightning has struck!" over the wireless was awesome. Really great touch.
—At first it really bothered me that they switched Crabbe's role for Goyle and Zabini because Jamie Waylett was charged with growing marijuana, but the more I dwell on it, I actually think I like this better. I think of it this way: with Crabbe working more closely with the Carrows, Draco starts to distance himself and thus becomes closer to Zabini, who has the advantage of a brain (and good looks to boot!), so he naturally grabs him instead of Crabbe when he really needs someone. I think it reflects better on Draco this way.
—Speaking of Draco, yay for the Malfoys in this! I was so terrified that Voldy was going to kill Lucius in the boathouse along with Snape, and I’m so glad it didn’t happen. I LOVED the Malfoys walking off the battle together, loved Narcissa, loved that Draco didn’t move until his mom called him, like he’s learned to not trust his father now—I even loved Voldemort’s supremely awkward attempt to hug Draco. That was adorable. In an evil sort of way. Did anyone else find it sad that Voldemort never got to hear that his wand actually belonged to Draco and then Harry, though? And of course I appreciated Harry clarifying that Draco did recognize him at Malfoy Manor but chose not to give him away *happy dance*. I didn’t like Draco in the epilogue, as I knew I wouldn’t, but as my boyfriend pointed out, it has interesting implications. We both agreed that Draco should have looked more polished in the epilogue, “more like his father.” But then we remembered how scruffy Lucius has looked in the past three movies. So if you look at Draco’s gross little beard/goatee thing, it kind of implies that the Malfoys as a family never really recover from working for Voldemort. Which is quite sad, especially when you think of Narcissa’s heroism.
—Kids in this movie? It’s been a delightful pleasure to watch you grow up and to grow up with you. Thank you. I hope you all have wonderful careers now that you are free to do whatever you want to with your lives. You certainly have a lifelong fan here.
And now for some things that bothered me or that I downright hated:
—Ron: “Well, that was unfortunate.” Yes, Ron, yes, it was. It was unfortunate that you couldn’t think to lift your Unforgivable Imperius curse before the completely innocent bystander Gringotts goblin was unnecessarily burned to death by a dragon before your eyes. I don’t know if egregious neglect leading to death is murder in the wizarding world, but Ron, this makes you a cold-blooded murderer for this film in my eyes. And then the moviemakers had the gall to time it as a comedic line (that clearly worked since so many people in my theater laughed). It just made me slightly nauseous. I expect to see that senseless kind of stunt in stupid action movies, not in films which had previously made it so clear that Harry, at least, truly values all life, including non-humans. Burying Dobby without magic was what made him so admirable in Griphook’s eyes, after all. It’s just really disappointing that after all this time, Ron so obviously doesn’t share his values. I don’t understand why seeing Dobby killed horribly is worthy of tears, when seeing another magical creature killed even more horribly is funny. Okay, enough ranting, but that was the number one worst thing in this movie for me.
—Come to think of it, Ron, there were several things you did in this movie that I really couldn’t get behind. Not hugging Harry when you at least suspect he’s about to go off and sacrifice himself? Really? I know the “If we die for them, I’ll kill you, Harry,” line is canon, but it seemed really cruel in the movie. And did I notice you’d gained something of a beer belly in the epilogue scene? Because that seems rather out of character to me. Or did Ron’s metabolism finally give out? I don’t know, I really love Ron in the books, flaws and all, but I didn’t really like the choices he made in the last two movies/last book. It might be clouding my judgment a bit. However, I really did love that "Harry talks in his sleep" line.
—As in the books, there was no love for Tonks in the last movie. Or Colin Creevey! At least Lupin got some love. And I really did want to meet Andromeda Black Tonks, so I was a bit disappointed on that front. :(
—And speaking of Weasleys performing Unforgiveables, as my boyfriend pointed out, that spell Molly did on Bellatrix did not look legal. I’m not saying it necessarily should have been; obviously Bellatrix was teh evils, just…damn, Mrs. Weasley. You scare me, and I’m not sure I like it. Definitely didn’t like the creepy look on her face after the fact.
—Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione Polyjuiced as Bellatrix was not as fun as I had expected. It wasn’t bad or anything, just really awkward instead of funny.
—McGonagall's “lock all the Slytherins in the dungeons!” and the irritating cheer that produced. And the fact that anti-Slytherin prejudice is still so common 19 years later. I know, I know, it's canon, but it still annoys the hell out of me. Not all Slytherins are evil. Does the presence of Snape and Slughorn mean nothing? Snape gave his whole life to protecting Harry and defeating Voldemort, and Harry doesn't even bother to tell his son about the man he was named for until he's about to leave for Hogwarts? WTF?
—C’mon, where were the crazed fighting house elves or trampeding centaurs? Or even Grawp? Or any magical creatures fighting for the wizards? Where was Kreacher with his frying pan of doom?
—Man, Helena Ravenclaw was too scary for me! I was too busy to pay attention to her, though; I kept thinking, “Wow, it’s that Scottish maid from Gosford Park!”
—Aberforth was okay. Loved that uber-powerful Patronus. However…I confess to wanting to see a couple of goats wandering round his flat looking affronted.
—
—The epilogue. It’s not that it was terrible. It didn’t make me cringe per se, the kids were cute, and I liked that the same actress who plays little Lily Evans plays little Lily Potter. It’s just that we really don’t need it. It's a major letdown after all that arse-kicking and wizarding-world-saving. They should have cut it from the books and cut it from the movie. It seems so limiting to the trio’s promising futures. No matter what else they do, they have to have a ton of kids in that tight window. I just don’t see Hermione having the time for that sort of thing. Unless she magically discovers a new handy time turner…
—By the way, did anyone notice if Harry had a scar in the epilogue? I somehow missed it!
My ranking of Harry Potter books (most to least enjoyed):
1. Goblet of Fire (book 4)
2. Half-Blood Prince (book 6)
3. Order of the Phoenix (book 5)
4. Prisoner of Azkaban (book 3)
5. Deathly Hallows (book 7)
6. Chamber of Secrets (book 2)
7. Philosopher’s Stone (book 1)
My ranking of Harry Potter movies (most to least enjoyed):
1. Order of the Phoenix (movie 5)
2. Deathly Hallows Part 2 (movie 8)
3. Half Blood Prince (movie 6)
4. Prisoner of Azkaban (movie 3)
5. Goblet of Fire (movie 4)
6. Sorcerer’s Stone (movie 1)
7. Deathly Hallows Part 1 (movie 7)
8. Chamber of Secrets (movie 2)
So, yeah. Mischief Managed, guys. Mischief Managed.
