Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two


BEWARE: HERE BE SPOILERS!

Man, how long has it been? The first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came out in 2001. TEN YEARS. That's a long time to spend with a cast and crew, and as far as I know, it's unheard of anywhere else in cinema that a worldwide franchise was able to keep it together for that long. Heck, I remember back then, people were bewildered at how the producers basically threw all their eggs into one basket- basically actor Daniel Radcliffe and his mates, to be their nest egg for seven movies (eight, eventually). But well, time has proven the investment as good as gold, as with Deathly Hallows Part 2, it's done. I have to say that even with some flaws, I consider the Harry Potter films as one of my favorite movie series of all time, alongside the LOTR, the Indiana Jones TRILOGY and Star Wars. And in many ways the Potter films have achieved more and better than these other, more high profile adventure epics.

Well, what can I say about the finale, this much-anticipated capper to this long-running saga of sorcerers in school? Really, I can't say much but gush. I loved Part 1, and Part 2 is basically still part of that sensibility, that visual style and mindset. Part 1 was the setup, the suspenseful calm before the storm, the silence before the bomb blows. Part 2 is the big shebang. And does it deliver?

I've read many reviews saying that it didn't. That it went out with a pang instead of a bang. That the Battle of Hogwarts could have been more exciting, that more could have, and should have been shown.

In some ways I am inclined to agree. Really, who wouldn't want more spells thrown, more scenes of wizard duels, more scenes of our Hogwarts comrades kicking arse? While I haven't read the actual book, I have more or less an idea of how the Battle went on the page, and yes, there were things that would have been awesome to see. But ultimately, the most important parts were, I think, shown to satisfaction onscreen- the grievous losses suffered by the good guys, and the two important baddies to bite the dust.

Still, I do indeed wish there was more shown.

For starters, I really wish that they showed more of Fred. Among the various deaths in the Hogwart ranks, the other half of the Weasley twins was the most saddening (who cares about Lavender Brown of Colin Creevey... heh). They didn't even show his face (someone joked that you could see the other twin's face anyway, so why bother...).

Another thing was, during the night, the enemy army seemed HUGE. You had the Death Eaters with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) on one side, while there was a mob of their allies attacking the bridge- yes, we do see their leader and a good amount falling to their much-deserved deaths, but I'm sure not all of them went. So, when the morning arrived, why were there so few enemies left that the Hogwarts forces could take them on and win, without any backup (in the book, the day was saved by a proverbial cavalry of other good wizards from Hogsmeade, Hogwarts' students' families, the Centaurs and the House Elves).
One big moment, the death of bad girl Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) should have been more cheer-worthy, but it appeared rushed; perhaps it should have had better setup (like Bellatrix giving the younger witches a hard time before Mrs. Weasley finally came to kick Le Strange's butt).

That all said, the film is still riotously rewarding.

It was great to see Hermione and Ron (Emily Watson and Rupert Grint) doing their part to win the day on their own, and their relationship finally showing legs.

It was great to see Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) finally cut loose and just be awesome.

Albus may have shuffled off (but Peter Gambon's still around, thankfully), but the presence of his lookalike brother Aberforth (an unrecognizable Ciaran Hinds) made it seem like the former headmaster was still at the school and looking after the young 'uns.

And yes, it was freakin' great to have Harry himself finally taking on Voldemort and battling tooth and nail for the final win. In the end, the victory was hard fought and paid for dearly, but won nevertheless, and you know that Harry and company earned it.

The saga of the The Boy, now Man, Who Lived is over. But it's certainly a cinematic saga that I will cherish and continue to enjoy as a contemporary classic from here on in. Darn, J.K. Rowling spun magic when she thought up this world, and it took the wizardry of film to bring it to us. From here on in, we create our own tales and spells, to visit the world of Hogwarts when we wish to. That is, unless Miss Rowlings has something else in store for the next decade...

Phoenix Rising


School's out.

I was able to catch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last Friday, even though the Glorietta 4 was crowded with the weekend movie mobs. As with the John Rambo principle, one can go where armies can't... it was a spur of the moment decision to watch, so why not. So, with a bag of Wendy's tucked under my arm, I went into the theater and watched the latest Potter flick.

Picking up right after Goblet of Fire, OOTP sees Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) ruled by dark moods. Wracked by guilt due to Cedric Diggory's death and haunted by mysterious, frightful dreams that seem ripped from Voldemort's twisted mind itself, Harry's feeling more and more alone, hostile and hopeless. It doesn't help matters that the Ministry of Magic has suddenly taken an unexpected move to deny the return of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and discredit both Harry and Albus Dumbledore. Even worse, Harry finds himself isolated from the Headmaster of Hogwarts, just in the time that he needs the great wizard's help and advice the most. Now he's being torn apart from within by Voldemort, and from without by Hogwart's new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and this chapter's resident villainess, Dolores Umbridge (played to evil perfection by Imelda Staunton). With the hero at his most vulnerable, the only hope to stave off forces of dark magic lie with Harry's true friends, and with the mysterious group of wizards known as The Order of the Phoenix.

This latest Potter is very different from previous chapters; there's not as much wonder and fun as before (though director David Yates still injects whimsy and humor every so often, thankfully), and not a Quidditch match in sight. This is all about the students of Hogwarts banding together and friends hanging tough in the scariest of times, and keeping true even when the person you love doesn't seem to want your help. Even though their roles are noticeably smaller, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) are at their most refreshingly earnest and natural in this chapter. Ron isn't so much the bumbling fool and more of a staunch friend and ally, while Hermione gets to act against the rules and be a bit of a rebel. Even better, the other students of Hogwarts get to shine, with Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) and the elder Weasley Twins Fred and George (James and Oliver Phelps) getting lots of screen time. While Cho Chang (Katie Leung) has her little (but surprisingly wet) kiss with Harry, she eventually turns out to be a dud character (though her 'fall' softened from the books, as I gather), a pleasant surprise is newcomer Evanna Lynch as the quirky Luna Lovegood. Able to reach the moody Harry and establish a bond through their shared experiences, Luna is a wonderful addition to the core band of Hogwart's Heroes.

As for the rest of the cast, it's the same familiar and comfy cast as always, and each is still as set in their roles as before, though many get pretty short screentime. Michael Gambon gives another strong performance as an oddly vulnerable Dumbledore, while Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonnagall gets cross swords with Umbridge in defense of the school. Other faculty like Hagrid (Robby Coltrane) and Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) get shorter, but no less sweet scenes. Outside of Hogwarts, it's great to see returning faces like Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), Mad-eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson) and of course, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) surface as members of The Order of the Phoenix- Dumbledore's rag-tag resistance fighters against Voldermort's Death Eaters.

OOTP is certainly the shortest of the Potter flicks, moving quickly from the in-school rebellion and formation of Dumbledore's Army to a pretty flashy finale- a properly creepy and atmospheric foray into an aptly-named Department of Secrets, culminating in a Wizard Battle between the Order and the Death Eaters, and an impressive duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort. But sadly, like most middle chapters, it's all ultimately setup for the final battle yet to come. I haven't read the actual book, but the movie struck me as well-paced and tight, without any extraneous or missing bits. Perhaps if I read the book I'd be displeased with some omissions, but as it is I am pleased with the movie's conciseness.

The effects are the usual Potter- which is to say, they're brilliant. It's all just toned a bit darker this time around, as things get serious and the stakes get higher- a lot higher. Easily the darkest of Potters (even with the already melancholy ending of Goblet), this nevertheless got a smile from me at the end. I liked it. I liked it quite a lot, and it just gets me wanting to grab the last three books (all of which I haven't read) and raring for the next film. I just have to say to the studios- keep your cast safe and happy. The core trio of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson MUST end this series together at the very least. I don't care how much money they have to throw at those kids. It's just magic when this cast comes together.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is now showing in Metro Manila theaters. Jump on your broom and zoom off to watch it now.