"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" brings a fitting end to a glorious series

by Ken San Nicolas

Director: David Yates

Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Genre: Adventure

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson

With eight films spanning 10 years, the "Harry Potter" series has become one of the most beloved and successful franchises of all time. "The Deathly Hallows Part 2" represents the culmination of a decade of character development and story-telling -- and it does this very well.

Dumbledore is dead, much of the Order is dead, and Voldemort's power grows stronger everyday. Harry and his friends must find the remaining horcruxes and destroy them. Only by destroying these artifacts will Voldemort's power be weakened. But what are these artifacts and where will they look?

Clearly, the only way you are watching the latest installment of the Harry Potter franchise is if you've either read the books or have watched the previous movies in the series. That said, there is no exposition in this film. We start right where the last film left off and the pace is furious. At this point, there are few plot lines to resolve and the film goes straight into this resolution. What director David Yates offers here is an epic finale that brings closure to the greatest fantasy franchise of the decade. The cast has matured as has the subject content. Harry and his friends must face deeper consequences for their actions and every decision comes at great risk.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" is a fitting end to a timeless series. If you haven't seen the rest of the films, I urge you to catch them on DVD today, and catch the finale at the Tango Theatres this weekend. You will not be disappointed.

4.5 out of 5 stars.