Reasons for watching it: Harry Potter has become a huge cultural touchstone, so I sort of want to know how the story goes. But when it came to the books I got bored somewhere in the middle of Goblet of fire and couldn't quite bring myself to plough through the remaining increasingly bloated tomes. And I didn't really want to get a pedantic plot summary from Wikipedia, because that wouldn't give me a clear enough impression of the series. So I said to myself that I'd watch the final episode when it came out on film. Obviously with it being such a huge thing, it was going to be a big-budget film with good actors and good special effects, and since I don't love the books I wouldn't be offended by changes or abridgements.
Circumstances of watching it: My colleague SL suggested a trip to the cinema to see it, so I was happy to go along. It's the kind of thing that likely benefits from the big screen, and for once I get to keep up with the cultural zeitgeist rather than waiting a few years until it comes out on DVD and I get round to watching it.
Verdict: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is generally a romp and I'm glad I managed to catch it.
( detailed review )
So all in all it's a great piece of storytelling which really uses the capabilities of the medium. The story it's based on undoubtedly has flaws, but I think the film managed to capture the part of the series that really touches something primal.
Circumstances of watching it: My colleague SL suggested a trip to the cinema to see it, so I was happy to go along. It's the kind of thing that likely benefits from the big screen, and for once I get to keep up with the cultural zeitgeist rather than waiting a few years until it comes out on DVD and I get round to watching it.
Verdict: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is generally a romp and I'm glad I managed to catch it.
( detailed review )
So all in all it's a great piece of storytelling which really uses the capabilities of the medium. The story it's based on undoubtedly has flaws, but I think the film managed to capture the part of the series that really touches something primal.
