Thursday, July 7, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part2: First reviews. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) talk it all out in a scene from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2." (Warner Bros. Pictures)





One week from tonight, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” — the final chapter in the eight-part, enormously lucrative film series based on J.K. Rowling’s wizard saga — will open in theaters.

Interest is, not surprisingly, high, with tickets for more than 2,000 screenings around the country already sold out. And with just a few days until the release, reviews have begun to make their way online. The good news for “Potter” fans? They’re all positive so far.

Photos: ‘Harry Potter’ kids then and now. Photos of Potter fans at the London premiere. Find showtimes for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” Yes, the sample size is small; right now, only eight “Deathly Hallows” reviews have been posted on Rotten Tomatoes. But they are promising.

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter writes:
“This is an exciting and, to put it mildly, massively eventful finale that will grip and greatly please anyone who has been at all a fan of the series up to now. If ever there was a sure thing commercially, this stout farewell is it.” Philip Womack of the Telegraph prefers the movie version of the final Potter story to the J.K. Rowling finale, which, in his words, was “a damp squib.” His prose about the new film is far kinder:

“This is monumental cinema, awash with gorgeous tones, and carrying an ultimate message that will resonate with every viewer, young or old: there is darkness in all of us, but we can overcome it.”

Baz Bamigboye of the Daily Mail is also full of Potter praise:

“I counted 1,132 names in the credits; I know I missed a hundred more. All of them — actors, producers, technicians, specialists — are among the best working in British movies. And now they’re out of a job. But what a way to go.”

Naturally, more reviews will be coming. But this first wave of critical kudos is encouraging, to say the least. Need more encouragement? Watch this clip of Harry, Ron and Hermione, scheming and arguing as always.

By: Jen Chaney

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