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Created Jul 30, 2011 10:26PM PST • Edited Jul 30, 2011 10:26PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   Let me first say that I fought jumping on the Harry bandwagon for a very long time. The first movie (and book) were okay, but very simple and not anything that really grabbed me. I finally got someone I really respect to tell me I need to read at least the first 3 books and then decide from there. I was hooked. The books got more mature, more complex and more dark. Each one built more and more to the final climactic battle – the same is true with the movies. Everything has built up to this final flick and man, oh man does it pay off. After the disappointment that was The Half-Blood Prince (where the final battle was just a stroll out of a closet and walking out the front door) I wasn’t sure if they were going to be able to deliver what I really wanted to see. It did, though.

   I never expect movies to be as good as the books mainly because you can fit so much more in a book. More descriptions, inner thoughts, etc. I really agree with all the choices they made on this movie that pull it away from the book. If you are seeing this movie, you’ve probably seen the previous 7, but you may want to go back and refresh yourself to really catch everything that is great about the movie. I saw it in 3D and loved it, but its not necessary. If you like the extra depth that 3D gives, go for it.

   The only drawback to this movie is that the a large part of the strength is built on the fact that after 7 movies, we know these characters and this world. As I said before, if you are seeing this movie, then you’ve probably seen the rest, but if not you can’t really jump into even part 1 of the Deathly Hallows and expect to really enjoy it. As a movie it has to be viewed as part of the series.

   Overall, if you want a really great payoff to what was, for me at least, a very surprisingly engaging story – you will get it and then some. Expect to cry, to laugh and to cheer.

4. Acting

   Really Great 4.5

   To see the main 3 (Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint) grow up in these movies formed an emotional bond with them that you really don’t realize until this movie. Dan has become a very thoughtful actor that carries a good deal of weight and does so with humility. He comes across as genuine and selfless, just like you want your heroes to do.

   Severus Snape is my favorite character in the books and in this movie, you get to see why – at least a little bit. They could have given so much more screen time to Rickman, but what they do give is powerful and skillfully handled. Finally seeing emotion from Snape is really powerful, again because we have spent so much time with him otherwise.

   My only complaint about the acting is Luna Lovegood. I know she is supposed to be airy and weird, but she never really feels right. There is not enough to her for me to connect. Otherwise the kids have all grown up and its great to see where they have ended up.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars Really Great 4.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    The movie looked great. Nothing original, mind you, but consistent with the rest of the movies. The fights were great and looked so much more natural – well I guess as natural as fights with wands and curses can be. Things weren’t explained as much, they just went for it and trusted everyone to follow. They had faith in the base they had built over the course of the last 7 movies and just dove right in.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.8

    Little bit of violence and a little rudeness, but nothing graphic by any means. People die but luckily for parents, wand wounds don’t splatter blood all over the screen.

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Fantasy 5.0

    Complete fantasy, but with a firm grip on reality.

22. Circumstantial Fantasy 5.0

23. Biological Fantasy 5.0

24. Physical Fantasy 5.0