Gaby’s thoughts: Post Potter Depression. I can tell you now, it isn’t easy. But if you are a big Harry Potter fan, I’m pretty sure you already know that. A few months ago, I saw the test screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. It didn’t feel like much of the end when I saw it. So much was unfinished about it. A lot of the magic wasn’t there. It’s a bit disappointing to see what’s real and what isn’t. Hence, when I left the test screening, I didn’t feel as sad as I do now.
The finished product has immensely improved. Obviously. It’s the type of spectacle that we haven’t seen in a Potter film yet. It’s fast-paced, thrilling, and heart-rending. It knocked me off my feet, even though I already knew what was coming. That mostly had to do with the performances. The cast’s performances are exceptional and the best we’ve seen from the trio yet. The real scene-stealers are Professor McGonagall played by Maggie Smith, Neville Longbottom played by Matthew Lewis, and of course Severus Snape played by Alan Rickman. They made the audience laugh, cheer and cry.
The Battle of Hogwarts is intense. Although much of the focus is put on Harry and following his mission to find the last Horcruxes, the battle rages around him. It may seem downplayed because of that. But I thought it was more important to focus on what Harry needed to do. There is a beautiful sweep of music when the trio is running across the courtyard during the battle. That’s when composer Alexander Desplat’s score really stands out, and without of doubt, that’s my favorite track of the score. With that piece alone, Desplat, at least, has an Oscar nomination in the bag.
When I left the test screening, my first reaction was: BEST POTTER MOVIE EVER. However, a couple weeks went by and I started to doubt that assertion. Now, I know for a fact that my first reaction was correct; it is the best Potter film of the series. And I have so much hope that it will be recognized during awards season. I anticipate seeing it nominated in all the technical categories, in addition to Best Score and Best Picture. It’s a bit ludicrous how Harry Potter hasn’t nabbed an Oscar yet. This is its time, and I’m telling you AMPAS, you better make it happen. Even though, the new website, Pottermore, may be a possible anecdote to our Post Potter Depression, an Oscar for Harry Potter would be a cure.
Lucy’s thoughts: I cried by just watching the Warner Bros. sign at the beginning of the movie, you already know I’m far too attached to Harry Potter and did not want to let go. I was lucky enough to attend a screening on Monday night, and I’m still debating if I should go midnight showing or not, mainly because I don’t know if I’m going to be strong enough to go through everything again, I also have Post Potter Depression.
While watching the movie, I couldn’t help but cry because I knew what was going to happen, as well as that feeling that this is it, this is the last one, no more Harry Potter movies after this, that feeling that you don’t want to let go and you want to enjoy every second of it. As Gaby said, Deathly Hallows Part 2 BETTER BE nominated for something at the Oscars next year, in my opinion at least for Best Visual Effects. Furthermore, the score was PERFECT in all the sense of the word as well as the cinematography was beautiful and if you go IMAX 3D you will get to appreciate it. ‘Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2’ felt more emotional, you could see in their eyes that they knew too that this was the end, this was their last stand against Voldemort.
I have to admit, that I am a little upset about how they have handled Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ginny’s (Bonnie Wright) relationship throughout the movies, I felt as if there wasn’t any on-screen chemistry and when you would expect this EPIC kiss, is just a half peck that didn’t live up to my expectations. On the other hand, I think that the movies have shown better Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) and gave more thought into it, and in Deathly Hallows Part 2 we finally get some closure for these characters (and you WILL clap during the scenes they are together). I have to point out that the character that steals the show is Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), you will cheer, laugh, and perhaps cry (I did) everytime he’s on the screen. Last but not least, Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), you..you quality man, this is his best performance in the series in my opinion.
It all ended for me on Monday night, I’m still trying to recover from it and try to think that it isn’t over yet. It will end for those of you going tomorrow midnight or during the weekend, just remember to bring some Kleenex with you if you’re very emotional, and be happy that Harry Potter is THE most succesful franchise of all time and that we had the chance to grow up with it and make it the household name that it is today. The movies might have ended, but the story will live with us forever.
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Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be released in the US July 15th.
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