As Harry, Ron, and Hermione search for the remaining Horcruxes, their journey ends back where it began at Hogwarts, which is currently being run by Snape. As certain truths come to light, Harry begins to realize that he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort and restore peace to the world of wizardry. The Harry Potter saga, one of the most successful book and film franchises in history, has come to an end, and in what spectacular fashion has it done so. The second half of the final film is a beautiful, sad, thunderous, and triumphant conclusion to the series. Directed by David Yates, whose skills I doubted when he came aboard with "The Order of the Phoenix", took command with "The Half-Blood Prince" and really soared with "The Deathly Hallows", this installment being the best of the Harry Potter movies. Though I did have trouble keeping characters and storylines straight, thought some of the plot developments and resolutions were a little too convenient, and found the 3D to be unnecessary, this is full-blooded filmmaking combining beautiful visuals, unmatched CGI, nonstop action, and well realized drama and fantasy. The film climaxes with a wonderful duel (maybe a little too close to The Empire Strikes Back) and has a wonderful finale. Looking back on the series, I have loved how the films have evolved with the young actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, and grown from campy kids films to top notch more mature fare, just as the trio have filled out as fine young actors. I was also pleased how much of the wonderful adult cast was present in this film, including Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ralph Fiennes, who plays evil maybe better than anyone in Hollywood. I was skeptical when I began the Harry Potter series recently (and rightfully so early on), but now I'm a little sad to bid farewell to what has grown into one of the finest film franchises movie goers have ever been witness to.
