Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 3D ODEON Liverpool ONE

Smashing box office records in its opening weekend, it is almost redundant to state that the concluding chapter in the phenomenal Harry Potter film franchise has been the most hotly anticipated.

"It all ends", as the billboard posters state, and the realisation that ten years have passed since the first film hit our screens left me somewhat stunned. An ardent fan of JK Rowling's books and having viewed "The Philosopher's Stone" with the giddy enthusiasm of a schoolgirl, perhaps by now I should have out-grown such childlike excitement? No. That's the magic of Harry Potter, adults and children can unashamedly enjoy watching our hero Harry and plucky friends Ron and Hermione on their latest quest against He Who Must Not Be Named. And so it was with more than a hint of sadness I donned my 3D specs and settled into ODEON Liverpool ONE's premier seating to witness the climatic close to a decade of Potter on screen.

While Deathly Hallows Part One was at times laborious due to necessary plot set up, Part Two of the epic has entirely been worth the wait. Director David Yates has succeeded in an all-action spectacular finale in which Harry must face his nemesis Lord Voldemort once and for all.

At a comparatively short running time of two hours and ten minutes, no scene is wasted, with intense and at times rather bleak images for a film rated 12A. The stark visual difference between the safe, cosy Hogwarts of stories past is really rather disturbing, as students' bodies line the corridors in scenes that could perhaps prove a bit too strong for younger viewers. Yet, despite the frequently dark subject matter, the mood is well-paced with moments of signature light-hearted JK Rowling humour interspersed throughout.

If unfamiliar with the novels, some nuances of plot may be lost in translation, with romances feeling somewhat shoehorned in but still effectively lighten tension amongst breathtaking battle scenes. Perhaps in no small part thanks to viewing the film in undeniably impressive 3D, while avoiding spoilers, it is without hesistation that I cite The Battle of Hogwarts as the single most exciting cinematic sequence I've witnessed in the last few years.

Do watch out for the scene-stealing provocative speech from the most unlikely man of the hour, Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis). Along with first-class performances from beloved trio Radcliffe, Watson and Grint it must be said Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and Mrs Weasley (Julie Walters) shine in relatively sparse screen time, while stalwarts Snape and a retrospective Dumbledore carry considerable weight as the gripping plot unravels. And, of course, despite rooting for Harry, everyone loves a baddie. Ralph Fiennes triumphs in his role as Lord Voldemort...but will good ultimately triumph over evil?

9/10 As Ron might say: Bloody brilliant!

Book your tickets to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in IMAX 3D visit www.odeon.co.uk

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