Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
With the blockbusters of the 2010s being defined by the rise of superhero cinematic universes and Disney resurrecting past properties for live-action remakes, it is shockingly easy to overlook that the decade also held the end of the Harry Potter story at least for the time. The ambitious 8-film series was unlike nearly any other telling one complete story over the course of 10 years finally coming to a close with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has finally emerged from the shadows and has seized control of Hogwarts with the only threat left being that of Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who is hunting and destroying the Horcruxes scattered around the Wizarding World making Voldemort more and more vulnerable.
Even more so than a conclusion to other large series such as Avengers: Endgame, one of the most impactful aspects of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the usage of the now-iconic iconography of the series. After spending 7 previous films in these locations, areas like the halls of Hogwarts really do mean something and seeing the school lost in darkness while playing home to various battles automatically adds an importance and meaning to the film that would be impossible to achieve without the set up of the previous films. It also helps that the visual style and cinematography from Eduardo Serra is extremely well shot and beautifully captures these huge settings in a perfect mix of dynamic camera movements and breathtaking almost painting-esque framing. One of the more under-appreciated aspects of the later editions in the later editions in the Harry Potter series is how well the grey and dark visual aesthetic works. More often than not, when a film embraces a darker and more bland visual style void of color and vibrance it feels like a misfire often resulting in forgettable visuals that bring down the film's impact but in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 this choice actually enhances its impact.
After 7 films of buildup, it comes as no surprise that the final fight against Voldemort is going to feel like a big deal but it is the desperation within the film and protagonists that elevate it to the next level. Harry Potter is not a hero making his grandstand against evil in full confidence, he is still a kid feeling not just the pressure of his current situation but also the pain of his past. Constantly he acknowledges the possible consequences of failure and the overwhelming sense of evil and darkness he is facing off with becomes captivating. Seeing the progression and growth of this character leading to him finally being forced to take the stand here is another very rewarding moment especially for those who have been on this journey for 8 films. The film overall feels very satisfying with how it handles its cast of characters adding proper closure to their journeys with effective twists and turns sprinkled throughout that feels rewarding without being overly predictable.
The original Harry Potter series still stands out in both ambition and quality with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 being a near flawless conclusion to the story. It is incredibly well built providing a satisfying big ending to the series that isn't afraid to take risks, nearly all of which pay off. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 should be an example to most for how to handle the end of a large series and especially on a rewatch not only stands out in the context of the Harry Potter series but in the context of the decade overall.
The original Harry Potter series still stands out in both ambition and quality with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 being a near flawless conclusion to the story. It is incredibly well built providing a satisfying big ending to the series that isn't afraid to take risks, nearly all of which pay off. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 should be an example to most for how to handle the end of a large series and especially on a rewatch not only stands out in the context of the Harry Potter series but in the context of the decade overall.