Harry Potter and the triumphant finale

MANILA, Philippines - Ten years and eight films later, the saga of Harry Potter reaches its conclusion (at least as we know it cinematically). To say that this is one of the most highly-anticipated films of the year is an understatement; fans have been coming to grips with this “end” for months, some behaving almost as if a family member were terminally ill and these were their last months. You can see that Warner Brothers spared no expense in letting everyone and their imaginary friends know that IT ALL ENDS, with a plethora of trailers, TV spots, and posters (the most of any one film ever, I’d wager).

So… how’s the film itself? Well, as the three best friends at the center of the film might say: It’s brilliant. It opens with the end of the last film, and that’s about all the preamble we get. And rightfully so; this is, after all, Part Two of a sixth sequel. If you’re walking into this blind, you really will be fumbling in the dark. Perhaps fittingly for a conclusion, it’s the most action-packed of all the films. Much of the frustration and stretches of desperation from the seventh book were in Part 1, and here Harry and friends know what they need to do and set about with purpose. That is not to say that there are no quiet moments as well; indeed, director David Yates, who has been directing the films since the fifth (and here does his best work), handles those with incredible restraint, letting the import of scenes carry through in the performances and dialogue of the cast. Credit must also be given to screenwriter Steve Kloves, who’s written every screenplay except the fifth (Order of the Phoenix), when he was on his honeymoon.

It’s almost impossible not to be emotional during certain scenes. For many, this is the release of a decade or more of pent-up feelings and anticipation, whether you’ve read the books or not. Characters (as well as the actors who portray them) have basically grown up before our eyes and when some depart, or become casualties, their loss is felt. Even the younger students of Hogwarts can die; one’s death is a shot that elicited an audible gasp from the audience. Not all anticipated scenes are sad ones, however: one between Ron and Hermione arrives at just the right moment and feels earned in context, even if we’ve been waiting for it for 10 years(!).

Ralph Fiennes caps a great run as Voldemort, who he’s made one of the best cinematic villains of all time.

Alan Rickman’s performance as Snape should be lauded and studied for years to come. He’s made the character his own, so much so that you can’t think of Snape without Rickman. His swan song here is one of the best, most cathartic moments in the movie. Ralph Fiennes also delivers his reliably creepy best as Voldemort, who shows the most range of emotional expression in this final chapter. Vacillating between vulnerability and triumph to frustration and outright rage, it’s thrilling to watch an actor of his caliber give his all despite being in full prosthetic makeup.

 When people say that the first two Harry Potter movies were the least of the bunch, it’s not really an insult. What it means is that they kept improving, a rarity in any age where so many creative hands are involved. The quality of filmmaking and consistency that the producers and studio have been able to sustain through the years and through four different directors and only one major cast change is astonishing. Thankfully, they have saved the best for last, rewarding us all with a finale that’s more than the sum of its parts.

* * *

Ramon De Veyra is still trying to figure out how Google+ works (@ramondeveyra).