5/25/20 - Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
7.3 - Harry Potter and the Battle of Five Armies
I don’t like how much I don’t like Part 2.
There were benefits to making the film adaptation of Deathly Hallows a two-parter. In Part 1, in spite of the dire tone of the film, the pace moves along slowly enough to let audiences breathe with the story and reflect on the predicaments of the characters and the wizarding world at large. We watch as the Trio are changed by their daunting quest to destroy the Horcruxes, and we see them grow as much as they would’ve during a standard Hogwarts school year.
All of these benefits however, are paid for by Part 2.
Which again, is not a bad film to me. I appreciate and enjoy even my least favorite Potter films a great deal - but where Hallows Part 1 is the journey movie, Part 2 is the destination, and it’s just… all destination.
For me, most of Part 2 just feels like a bunch of stuff happening, as opposed to a composed, flowing story. While it is ostensibly “half a story” Part 1 kind of feels more like a standalone movie to me - it has an arc; Part 2 is just the last two hours of a video game in which the cast has to collect the last few keys to get into the last dungeon to face the final boss. It’s thrilling, and visually gorgeous, and it has a lot of good beats - it just doesn’t feel any greater than the sum of its parts.
I look forward to revisiting Part 1 - but Part 2 feels kind of obligatory; and it’s all the worse knowing that even this “okay” entry is leaps and bounds better than the Fantastic Beasts films.
I probably love what you love. I love Maggie Smith’s last turn as McGonagall; I’d contend Rickman’s performance as Snape in this film is the best single performance across the series; the effects are stellar and hold up remarkably well going on near ten years - I definitely like Part 2; but I suppose it’s up against the impossible standard of living up to the catharsis I felt finishing Book Seven for the first time.
I like Part 2 just fine. I just wish I liked it more.
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Stray Observations:
A.) Entr'acte - Gringotts (May 1998)
In addition to the issues I mentioned above, one of my chief dislikes about Part 2 is it’s color palette. One of the jabs levied by water-cooler critics at the Potter series as it went on was that it was visually growing darker and darker - and by this film it feels practically monochrome. It’s so pale (they’re Brits but still); so much of the film feels so cold, empty, and somber - there are moments where there is a flash of vivid color (the Fiendfyre for instance); but on the whole this film just looks and feels so bleak it’s actually uninviting for me.
The brief glimpse we get of Snape’s Hogwarts is almost comically evil. The still, looming dementors over the grounds, the goose stepping students - like we get it Hogwarts is worse.
Looking for positives; one of the better ways I think one could interpret Part 2 is as Snape’s film. He is the first character we are reintroduced to at the outset (barring footage of Voldemort from Part 1); courtesy of “The Prince’s Tale” he actually has the only self-contained arc in the film; the leitmotif of “Lily’s Theme” is played over both Snape’s appearance in the cold open and Voldemort’s death; he’s even represented in the epilogue by Albus Severus. As I’ve said; my sympathy for Snape has waned in the years since the Hallows novel came out, but he is still a compelling character, and again - Rickman’s performance is superb.
Our first scene with the Trio re-establishes the shard of Sirius’ mirror; quietly shoehorned into Part 1 after not being established prior to Sirius’ death.
I really appreciate Warwick Davis’ calculating, devilish performance as Griphook; part of me is upset the role was taken over from Verne Troyer (who played Griphook in Sorcerer’s Stone) simply because the filmmakers wanted “an all British cast,”; but one must respect Davis as one of the best character actors in the business.
One of the bigger dramatic shortcomings of the films is setting the Trio off without any clue what the remaining Horcruxes are. At the close of the Prince novel Harry has a mantra of what he and Dumbledore suspected the items were - in the films, they rely on the Voldemort-mind connection to fill in those gaps, and it just feels contrived to me.
Another nice, brief performance in the film is John Hurt’s return as Ollivander - whom, in the film, actually knows what the Hallows are, and does the heavy lifting of re-establishing them, and setting up the mechanics of “wand loyalty” with the callback to “the wand chooses the wizard.”
It’s a thing of semantics, but the pragmatist in me appreciates that the Trio’s plan is explicitly to “kill” rather than “destroy” or “defeat” Voldemort.
Helena Bonham Carter’s brief turn as Hermione-Bellatrix is a lovely, quietly hilarious piece of acting.
I appreciate that, for all the location changes and updates that have occurred throughout the films, the whimsical, lopsided facade of Gringotts is identical to its appearance in Sorcerer’s Stone.
On the note of Gringotts - there… There are ginger goblins in Part 2. Any defenses against antisemitic claims are null and void.
The Imperius Curse is portrayed as a… multicolored haze of scent? I don’t know - maybe if I sniffed glue I’d be more suggestible too.
I kinda hate the wizard security guards at Gringotts - I mean I get the Voldemort regime are fascists but like, I thought Tom liked magic? The guards are aggressively mundane.
Part 2 does boast great prop work and set dressing - particularly notable for me on this viewing were the Lestrange Vault and the “Room of Hidden Things” in the Room of Requirement.
The dragon only has a few minutes of screentime but is a masterfully realized effect - giant, blind, deadly baby.
To that end, the dragon incinerates the Imperius-ed goblin, Bogrod - and it’s played for laughs which… that’s fucking weird and dark. That was just a man doing his job.
The dragon flight over London is one of the scenes I think the film actually nails - the swell of the score, the gorgeous helicopter shot of the Thames; (Timeline Nerd Corner - though I will say - the London Eye is visible in the flight shot, which wasn’t completed until 2000; it’s a small thing, but technically it shouldn’t be there).
Harry’s vision of Voldemort’s fury at learning his Horcruxes have been discovered is one of those bits that feels like a check off a list - it feels mechanical.
In contrast - the brief scene afterwards of Voldemort walking barefoot through pools of blood from his victims is properly chilling.
B.) The Return to Hogwarts
For Part 2, Aberforth Dumbledore is portrayed by Ciaran Hinds (Mance Rayder from Game of Thrones); I appreciate Hinds’ performance, but visually I confess I miss the look of Jim McManus in the role in Order of the Phoenix.
“That’s a boy’s answer… you’re lying to yourself.” - Say what you will about Aberforth - he’s straight with you.
The Carrows have older students practicing “Crucio” on first years - we get it they’re evil.
Re: Leitmotifs - the flourish of “Harry’s Wondrous World” when the Trio meets up with the Hogwarts resistance is excellent.
Neville’s cactus (Mimbulus mimbletonia) from Goblet is in the Room!!
Ron’s “Bloody hell, here we go,” as Luna explains the diadem actually made me laugh out loud.
McGonagall Watch: Minerva looks so worn down during Snape’s search of the students - she gets but the brief establishing shot before confronting Snape, but you can see what the months of a near-fascist Hogwarts have done to her.
Rickman’s Snape wig is perfection in this film. The volume.
McGonagall Watch: If you watch the timing - Minerva is drawing her wand as soon as Harry mentions Dumbledore - she’s coming for Snape for her own reasons as much as defending Harry. Maggie Smith was in her 70s when they shot this film and you believe she could magic Snape into smithereens.
There is a focus on a single screaming girl as Voldemort speaks to the school and… for me it’s just laying the horror of the situation on too thick; that said, Voldemort’s announcements to the school as an ethereal voice are chilling as all hell.
The brief exchange between Filch and McGonagall - “Students out of bed!” “They’re supposed to be..” - is perfect. Though “take the Slytherins to the dungeons,” is a little much, and too anti-Slytherin for me.
McGonagall Watch: “Potter… it’s good to see you.”
The score as the professors and the Order fortify the castle - “Panic Inside Hogwarts” and “Statues” are great work from composer Alexandre Desplat.
McGonagall Watch: “...To blow it up? Boom?” “BOOM!”; “Why don’t you confer with Mr. Finnigan - as I recall he has a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics.” - just, incredible line reads by Maggie; furthermore, a great culmination to two film-original elements of the story - Seamus’ explosions and the Covered Bridge.
Furthermore; Piertotum Locomotor (“I’ve always wanted to use that spell!”) is likewise up there among my favorite moments across all eight films (the lead knights even have the house crests on their shields!).
The shield-dome around Hogwarts is a nice creation for cinematic effect - though it is rather incredible to me that just three spellcasters - Flitwick, Slughorn, and Molly - can achieve such a powerful defense; per canonical sense, I read it as the three enhancing and amplifying Hogwarts’ already formidable magical protections.
Evanna Lynch is a welcome, constant highlight throughout the latter half of the film series; but I especially appreciate her confrontation with Harry on the stairs as they search for Ravenclaw’s diadem.
C.) The Battle of Hogwarts
The brief scene with the Grey Lady is a nice breather from the intensity of the siege bearing down on Hogwarts; nice one scene performance from Kelly Macdonald.
Voldemort brings a proper army of hundreds of Death Eaters (+Snatchers) to Hogwarts which…. There shouldn’t be that many. It’s cinematic, but there aren’t that many witches and wizards to begin with; even bolstering the like, three dozen Death Eaters (max) established in the books and preceding films, this is like, entirely too many people.
That said - the flying spell bombardment shot kinda rules.
Neville and Luna get their ship in the films and I’m here for it.
“It is the quality of one’s convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.” “Who said that?” “Me.” - Quality back and forth between Remus and Kingsley.
I supremely appreciate that Ron and Hermione return to the Chamber of Secrets onscreen in the film - the snake covered vault door, the busts lining the chamber; the giant face of Slytherin and the basilisk skeleton - makes my continuity and set design-loving heart sing.
Neville’s standoff with the Snatchers is… whatever. Appreciate Zaddy Scabior gets an (presumable) on-screen death anyway.
The spell Voldemort uses to break the shield-dome is referred to as… “the shield penetration spell” on the Wiki. Not a good enough reason to use the word “penetrate.”
The extreme close-up tracking shots of wands breaking in Voldemort’s hands are just immensely cheesy to me.
Additionally - who does Tom’s nails? Because they are filed to a point and somehow I don’t see him doing that personally.
The visual of the shield burning/collapsing is gorgeous.
It took the Wiki to tell me the giants working with Voldemort are using busted Quidditch goal posts as weapons.
Malfoy apparates to Golye and Zabini* - MOVIE, you can’t apparate at Hogwarts.
*Also, I feel like nerds (<3) reading this blog probably know; but if you don’t - Crabbe is conspicuously replaced by Blaise Zabini in this film on account of Crabbe’s actor (Jaime Wylett) being arrested for marijuana possession in 2009.
Appreciably, Part 2 has its visual callbacks - the last visit to the Room of Requirement features both Lockhart’s escaped Cornish pixies and a cameo from the Mirror of Erised.
“That’s my girlfriend, you mumpty!” - Ron, we get it. You’re English.
The flight out of the burning Room of Requirement is appropriately epic - and I believe that is the last time we see broom-flight in the films.
Ron just punts the crumbling diadem into the flames and I love it.
On the note of physical acting - Voldemort just straight up smacks Lucius as they confer in the boathouse and I love Tom for being that shitty.
The track as the Trio fights their way through the battle is “Courtyard Apocalypse,” and while the name is a bit on-the-nose - the track slaps.
Furthermore - as they cross the courtyard, the trio are confronted with callbacks from throughout the series - giants (Phoenix); acromantulas (aka spiders - Chamber); Greyback savaging Lavender (Prince); and a swarm of Dementors (Azkaban).
“No, I am extraordinary.” - Oh, fuck off, Tom.
Voldemort slits Snape’s throat with magic, then sets Nagini on him; Geez.
Dumbledore’s (now technically Snape’s I suppose) Office is so stark without Albus;
The Film-Pensieve takes the form of a shallow silver bowl rather than a stone basin - and Harry tosses it like a frisbee onto Dumbledore’s desk.
Movie-Snape’s portrayal in the Prince’s Tale sequence is - on the whole - much more sympathetic than the book counterpart.
Tiny thing - young Petunia shouts something at Lily I’ve never been able to decipher (it’s not even in the subtitles)... It sounds something like “uck-eeyuh.”
Baby first year James had a bowl cut just like Harry did in the Columbus movies I’m not crying you’re crying.
It’s not until I saw it vanish in a puff of smoke that I realized how iconic the moving picture of Lily & James at the fountain was for me.
Just… logistically - Lily would not have had time to say goodbye to an infant, one year old Harry before Voldemort found them. She’s far too calm considering a serial killer has broken into their house, and… she’s speaking like she knew about the protective charm she was imparting to Harry? Like she knew about the counter-charm and knew he would survive? While that would potentially be a cool angle if it was fleshed out, I always read the scene as Harry’s survival being more the luck of how the confrontation between Voldemort and Lily played out than a plan she had as a trump card.
Snape’s appearance at Godric’s Hollow after the attack is a well-acted scene on Rickman’s part - the break when he finds Lily’s body is actually crushing. I don’t love that he cries in sync with baby Harry; and I especially don’t love that he cradles the body - but on the whole I think it’s a strong addition.
That said - that makes Snape (in the movie continuity) at least the third person to show up at the Potter Cottage after the attack and before the Ministry - Snape sees Lily, Hagrid recovers Harry, and Pettigrew recovers Voldemort’s yew wand.
On the note of positive changes from the book; Harry actually tells Ron and Hermione he’s going to sacrifice himself before heading off to the forest. I don’t think the book version, where he creeps through the rubble in the Cloak is bad - but it’s an excellent emotional moment for the Trio; plus, it’s implied Hermione suspected that Harry was an accidental Horcrux.
Another little thing - but I wish Harry didn’t say “The Resurrection Stone” when it floats out of the snitch. We know, Mr. Yates - trust your audience.
“Why are you here?” “We never left.” (BRB WEEPING)
I really like the scene on the whole - but the pale, pearly spectres of Lily and the Marauders have big Twilight energy, I’m sorry.
In my opinion, the self-sacrifice scene is executed about as perfectly as it could have been.
Sans the mist and with the cold color palette, King’s Cross/Limbo just feels sterile as opposed to heavenly, as I feel it’s book counterpart does.
Both here and in the Prince’s Tale, Gambon does some great work as Dumbledore.
D.) The Finale
Matthew Lewis’ glow-up as Neville is legendary - I’m so proud of how far he’s come as an actor.
McGonagall Watch: I believe the last significant shot we get of Maggie in the films is her silent shock at seeing Harry’s body. Poor thing just looks utterly defeated and battle worn.
I’m a far cry from the first to point out just how cringe the Draco/Voldy hug is - but it must needs be remarked upon.
It is an undeniable plot convenience that Neville just happens upon the sorting hat in the film (as opposed to Voldemort summoning it from Dumbledore’s office, as in the book); how did it get down there? Harry went up to that office, and it was definitely intact…
Voldemort’s fury at Harry’s survival is properly terrifying; he just starts blasting what’s left of the courtyard to pieces; also the Malfoys just ducking out is almost funny in its desperation.
Okay - I get it, it has to be cinematic; and for all it’s pros (and cons): Harry and Voldemort’s final face off in the books is not visually compelling. So I get why they have an extended duel, but Harry should not be able to even fend off Voldemort. Part of Voldemort’s terror is that the Trio absolutely could not hold their own against him - he is light years more powerful than any of them. It’s fine, I guess, but Harry just simply isn’t close to Voldemort’s equal in magic.
I appreciate the absurdity of Ron and Hermione trying to get the drop on Nagini - like Hermione actually throws rocks at the snake I’m-
Someone explain Voldemort’s weird robe-tentacle maneuver to me? I’ll concede it’s visually cool, but it’s strange and kinda bdsm-y… do not want.
“NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH” (<3); Why does Bellatrix explode when Molly kills her though? Like, so it’s implied Molly didn’t use Avada Kedavra? Because with her kids on the line you best believe Molly Weasley would.
The apparition fusion-sequence is nightmare fuel, thanks movie.
So Voldemort crumbles to ash and… okay, go off VFX team, show off your skills; but Harry has no real proof Voldemort is dead? Like, he just stumbles into the Great Hall and is like “Guys, I did it?”; for all the vaults of the book version, at least the entire cast is there to witness the final standoff.
To that end - Harry’s final hug with Hagrid is nice, but it underlines how, in the film, they lean into the somber and the grim rather than jubilation at Voldemort’s downfall. In the film, the war ends and there’s cheers; in the film, it ends there’s like… silent, sad smiles. I suppose more true to the tragedy of war, but still.
I mentioned the cringe of “the chart” of Elder Wand ownership - it’s somehow even more contrived with Harry explaining it to just Ron and Hermione after the fact.
The final note of the main story is Harry yeeting the snapped Elder Wand off the viaduct. Cool.
E.) 19 Years Later
It’s another little thing - but the font of “19 Years Later” is so aggressively plain it feels careless.
With the pall of war lifted off the story, the final trip to King’s Cross is more colorful than the preceding film, but still muted in such a way that it feels - again - weirdly kinda sterile.
The actor playing Albus is just aggressively blank slate. It’s fine, we’re almost done.
Malfoy is balding; also - behold our one and only canon appearance of Astoria Greengrass Malfoy (played by Tom Felton’s then girlfriend, Jade Olivia).
For all my complaints - I concede the musical cues in this sequence get me.
“You can choose” - Knowing the plot of Cursed Child, I laughed. Albus, you’ve got a big storm coming.
The Trio’s “old age” makeup is… utterly passable. They’re only supposed to be in their late thirties so it’s hardly a major jump.
In closing - the final shot of the Trio, complemented with the same swell of music the closed the first film does, despite everything, get me emotional.
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For five years, that was it. That was the note the wizarding world ended on. There were peripheral, tiny notes here and there on Pottermore (RIP) and Rowling’s now infamous twitter; but - to the public at large - Potter ended with the films in 2011.
But hark, we live in the age of the franchise, and thus the “wizarding world” became the Wizarding World™. 2016 gave an optimistic fan base the one-two punch of Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts in the same year - a gargantuan, four-act sequel play Frankenstein-ed out of the corpse of the original series; and a half-baked, mediocre period prequel based on a textbook.
Since 2016, it’s been a bit of a chore being a Potter fan. But I’m still here, and I hope you continue to make the journey with me, into the murkier waters in the weeks to come. I’ve been nice so far - now it’s time to break out my notes from film school.
Till, then - keep well, keep warm, keep healthy, and I hope to see you back.
Thanks for reading!
- JMC
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PS: Having Finished the Main Series - here’s my personal ranking of the original eight films.
Prisoner of Azkaban
Goblet of Fire
Sorcerer’s Stone
Deathly Hallows Part 1
Chamber of Secrets
Deathly Hallows Part 2
Half-Blood Prince
Order of the Phoenix
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