British author JK Rowling, second left, joins actors, left to right, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in Trafalgar Square, central London, for the World Premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" the last film in the series. Harry Potter's saga is ending, but his magic spell remains. Thousands of fans from around the world massed in London Thursday for the premiere of the final film in the magical adventure series. AP/JOEL RYAN
For the millions of fans of the “Harry Potter” film franchise, 2011 will be etched in their hearts as the year they finally said goodbye to Harry, his friends and their magical, mystical world of the perfervid imagination.
It’s turned out to be an exceedingly long goodbye, completely appropriate for their beloved film series unusually extended run (eight movies in 11 years). So, the franchise’s followers, many of whom literally grew up along with its principal adolescent protagonists, can’t be blamed for feeling rather sad and tense—and even leery about how the story’s final filmic chapter, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2,” will conclude the story. —Will it be with an appropriately and deliciously surreal and psychological bang, or with a wan and witless simper?
Ups and downs
—Given the series’ ups and downs in terms of riveting storytelling through the years, the latter outcome isn’t just a theoretical fear. So, some fans are hoping and praying with extra unction that the series gets a big, slam-bang finale, one that satisfyingly ties up all of the story’s many loose thematic and psychological ends.
What makes the final film’s prospects even more daunting is the fact that everybody knows how it’s going to be set up—as a mano-a-mano grudge fight to the death between Harry, now a young-adult magus in the full flowering of his awesome power, and the hideous and universally hated Voldemort, who’s at least just as powerful and is vastly more experienced and serpentinely steeped in the evil arts.
Unknown element
—That’s the set-up, but the big unknown element is, how is it going to actually pan out? Presumably, because he’s always lived on the side of the angels, Harry will triumph and attain the sweet vengeance that’s eluded him throughout his young life.
But, if his victory is pulled off simply by means of yet another “duel of wands” with long surges of awesome psychic power in full froth and fury, it’s all been done before—and that would never do.
But, after pulling so many fantastic tricks and treats out of its huge magician’s hat for many years, does the production have any surprises left?
—Well, it had better have reserved its best creative and thematic flourishes for its “final-final” chapter, or the series’ fans will be hugely disappointed—and could make their collective chagrin felt in no uncertain terms!
Since that all-important finale has already been shot, the film series’ now young-adult stars know how the story will end in great detail, but they aren’t telling. Because, when it comes to big cinematic surprises like this, absolute secrecy is everything—so, contractually, mum’s the word!
When it comes to other aspects of the filmmaking experience, however, the young leads are much more forthcoming. They all agree that “Harry Potter” has been the most dominant and defining experience of their lives for the past 11 years.
So, even more fiercely than the film franchise’s fans, they hope that the final chapter of “Harry Potter” will do full justice to the huge emotional investment they have made in its psychic unfolding!