It’s a nice enough film, but aside from a few prize moments, it could use more emotive force. Since this picture is so embedded in the book/film series (the final one, in fact), you (dear reader) deserve to know that I (as the reviewer) haven’t read the books (though I’ve heard they’re excellent). I’ve missed a couple of the films as well.

That said, it’s my purpose here to review the film as a standalone piece of art. Hence, this article will be of use to viewers who are likewise not quite conversant in Potter lore.

Voldemort (the evil lord) is nasty, but his badness is never uniquely defined in this installment. New viewers will be left only with a nebulous idea that he’s a pretty bad guy. Thankfully though, the connection between he and Potter enjoys rich exploration in action, mood and word. Also, despite not being impressed with Ralph Fiennes in this role prior, I enjoyed his performance here. Kudos, also to Daniel Radcliffe as Potter. He is Potter. It’s hard to imagine someone else incarnating Rowling‘s likeable protagonist.

Only minimal time is given to establish the students/teachers as worthy of being saved. Zero time is given to establishing how Voldemort’s evil threatens the world outside of the school. That gives the film a bit of a claustrophobic feel. In fact, in this picture, magic is everywhere, therefore it loses some of its charm. We aren’t given the regular world to show the edgy contrast. Nor does the production take time to show us how malicious and foul Voldemort is as a leader of his own dark followers. They’re just pawns. We don’t fear them, we don’t even pity them (despite the Dumbeldore’s dreamy comment). We just don’t care, and that makes Voldemort less worrisome.

On a thematic level, aside from that one beautiful, but “lonely” line regarding “love,” the film wanes in the depth department. I’m left asking myself what exactly the film had to say. Is it only that decent wizards sometimes have to kill bad wizards? Nonetheless, there were two prize moments that rose above the “fighting action” with big lush heart. I was moved. I liked that. I would have liked to be moved more often. And while the film did attempt to move me on other occasions, it didn’t quite succeed. To read those specific occasions … continue into the “Spoiler Alert” zone below.

Btw, my filmmaker buddy who joined me, more or less concurs … and he’s seen all the films plus read a couple of the books. Additionally, he adds, “I wanted a bit more big action. Plus, I didn’t think the 3D added anything.”

Lastly, I’m confused.
1) Did HP die? Did he not die? I see no reason to leave this unclear. Does it make the experience more enjoyable? Does the uncertainty add to the film as a piece of art?

Overall, despite some serious flaws, the film also displays some serious cinematic agility in pacing, editing, special effects, direction, and score.

Again, I am not at all reviewing the book, or even this film as part of the series. This review is for people somewhat new to the Harry Potter and just looking for a film to take in for the night.