It all ended at 12am on July 15, 2011.
Since J.K. Rowling's first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was released in 1997, the Hogwarts trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermoine has influenced children, teens, and adults across the globe.
For those of us who grew up with these books there is a love-hate relationship with the movies. There's a certain thrill associated with seeing characters come alive and the drama played out on the big screen. But such a rush of adrenaline comes at a price: accuracy to the novels themselves.
Authenticity to the Novels
When turning a movie into a box office hit, directors and screen writers have to make certain executive decisions. There’s always a give and take between what comes out well in a piece of literature and what will interest viewers in a movie theater. Exact detail and plot authenticity is hardly ever feasible; it becomes a question of what is key in moving the plot forward and what is just extra that adds to the mystery or magic of a novel. For example, in the Harry Potter movies the house elf Dobby plays a significantly smaller role; after his grand entrance in The Chamber of Secrets he isn’t seen in any significant role until he helps Harry and the gang escape Malfoy Manor in Part 1 of Deathly Hallows.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would have been a particular challenge for the director and screen writer. There are so many questions to be answered and plot details to wrap up; how can all of Rowling's ideas fit into one movie? Thankfully, Warner Brothers did the right thing by dividing up the last book into two movies.
But was dividing Rowling's final chapter at Hogwarts into two segments enough? There are still details present in Part 1 but especially Part 2 that leave die-hard fans questioning David Yates and Steve Kloves. For example, where is Crabbe when Goyle and Malfoy surprise the Gryffindor gang in the Room of Requirement? Why does Snape die in a boathouse and not the Shrieking Shack, a much more eerie and fitting place than an ordinary and more "muggle" building? Such changes might not mean much for those who watch the movies without reading the books, but for the fanatics, changes such as these can sometimes be uncomfortable.
An Addiction
And yet, nobody can stay away. According to the New York Times Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 “sold $168.6 million tickets in North America alone.” The magic, suspense, drama, and characters Rowling created came to life through cinema. It kept the dream alive a little longer once the final segment had been released.
Despite some of the plot changes and dialogue tweaking, Part 2 does not disappoint. This epic conclusion has everything a Harry Potter fan needs. Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is at his best (or worst?); Ron finally gets some action from Hermoine; Neville proves himself a hero when he slices through Nagini; Snape’s vindication comes at last; and most important of all, Harry Potter comes back from the grave. Fans can’t help but clap, cheer, and gasp while watching this finale. The graphics, CGI, and backdrops are extraordinary; add 3D and it’s like you’re there alongside the Hogwarts students, Order members, and Death Eaters.
Conclusion: A Must-See Ending
Even though it all ended on July 15, 2011 there’s still a chance to go and revel in this epic conclusion to a series that has been a part of pop culture for over a decade. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine get to duke it out one last time against Voldemort, and it’s worth the price.
Annette Wren - Annette Wren is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with majors in History and English.
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