“Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” marks the final “Harry Potter” film and I can safely say that it all ends on a very satisfying note. The Harry Potter films have always been filled with such stylish substances, memorable characters, and thrilling and suspenseful events. However, the conclusion brings more of those elements I just mentioned. There are more thrills and suspense mixed with exciting action sequences, while at the same time blending excellently with drama. Out of all the sequels that have come out this summer, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” stands out as the best.

The story begins immediately where “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows Part 1” ended. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their quest to find and destroy magical items known as the Horcruxes. Destroying these items would bring down the evil lord known as Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). However, Voldemort isn’t going down with a fight, since he and his evil gang are preparing to kill Harry Potter and will kill anyone who gets in his way.

That is pretty much all I am going to say because, being the final film, many people don’t want to be spoiled, and they want to see it for themselves. I am not going to be the one who ruins it for them. However, we all know it will eventually lead to the ultimate battle that everyone has been waiting for.

When I first saw Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson in “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone”, I knew they were something special and now, almost a decade later, they still continue to give good performances. All of them have equally transitioned from kid, to adolescent and now adult performances. There are also some memorable appearances from an all-star cast including Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Michael Gambon as Dumbledore and Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall. There are also some memorable cameos from Jim Broadbent, Warwick Davis, Gary Oldman, and Kelly Macdonald.  Ralph Fiennes does very good work as the evil and dark Lord Voldemort. As always, just like the other films, he is barely recognizable, but this time he brings much more of a range to the Voldemort character in a way that makes him feel more vulnerable.

However, perhaps the best performance in the film was Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Severus Snape. He has made the character very memorable in the past films, but this time he takes it up a notch. In the past he came across as dark and menacing, and he continues to keep that trait. However this time he brings more sympathy to his character; which makes his character more complex and adds more depth. Rickman’s portrayal is his best performance to date.  He is more exceptional as Snape in this picture than in the previous films.

The action sequences are phenomenal. There are some of the usual crafty sequences of action, but this “Harry Potter” bumps up the action with some spectacular sequences that make the film darker and exciting. One such sequence is when Voldemort and his gang start attacking and destroying Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is an exciting sequence to watch, but at the same time a very crucial one.  That is because it adds more internal conflict and complexity to the Harry Potter character because he starting to realize that people and his friends are dying in trying to protect him. It is a very good sequence to a very good film. These action sequences are probably the best and most exciting action scenes you will see in 2011.

I always said that the third Happy Potter film, “The Prisoner of Azkaban”,  was my favorite Harry Potter film, but know I think that “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” will probably take that spot because this film is very well made.  The acting, especially from Alan Rickman, is exceptional; the action sequences are exciting and the story is satisfying. It is probably a sad time for Harry Potter fans, since they see the final film of this franchise for the last time, but it is a bittersweet, because even though the series is ending, it is the pinnacle of all the Harry Potter movies to date. Loose ends are also tied up, and some characters are explained (Which adds to the satisfaction).  As I have always maintained, don’t see this film in 3-D. 3-D makes everything darker, you won’t be able to see anything since the film is already dark to begin with. See it in a regular format so you can see it better.

So as the series that has spanned for more than a decade comes to a close, all I have to say is that it this closes with a satisfying and magical note that all Harry Potter fans will appreciate.

***1/2| PG-13| 131 Minutes