It’s been over seventeen hours since I was sitting in the theatre for the last Potter film. I was both excited and nervous for this one. As it is the last film, I hoped that they would do the book justice and go all out. There was no doubt in my mind that the movie would be epic, but I was a little worried that a whole bunch of random stuff would be added just to make a third of a book into a 2+ hour film. Well, all I can say, after watching the film, is that I am completely speechless.

SHELL COTTAGE – Unlike most of the Harry Potter films, I felt that the pace in the beginning was perfect. Not too fast, not too slow. And I was very pleased that the first five or ten minutes of the movie weren’t spent on trying to introduce characters or, basically, summarize Part 1 in a few short minutes. Showing Dumbledore’s grave, Voldemort and the Elder Wand, etc. was perfect. I love how they show the words that Harry had carved on Dobby’s grave. It was bittersweet, and I was worried that little detail would have been omitted. The talks with Griphook and Ollivander were short and to the point. I also liked how they changed it so Ollivander knew about the Deathly Hallows in the film. It made sense that he’d have some interest with them, especially with the Elder Wand. I missed Lupin coming in and telling everyone about Teddy’s birth, but I understand why they didn’t include him until later in the film.

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN – Helena Bonham Carter owned this! I was giggling so much. How she played Hermione was perfect, and I couldn’t be happier with her performance. Also, Ron looked hot in that beard. Haha. One thing that I thought looked a bit odd was how the Imperius Curse looked like a fart bubble, but I’m over it. The dragon was absolutely gorgeous, and the ride was awesome. Seeing Voldemort in Malfoy Manor walking around with all those dead bodies about was really sad, terrifying even. I got goose bumps when he was just speaking to Nagini in Parseltongue while those who were still alive were worried that they’d be the next to die. And we also got to see Rupert Grint shirtless. I will admit it: I did have a fan girl moment there.

RETURN TO HOGWARTS – The scene with Aberforth, I thought, was really nice. I didn’t really miss all of the background information about the Dumbledore family. What they mentioned was enough for me, though I know that it would leave those who hadn’t read the books confused (that wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened in a Potter film, though). Then Neville came along looking so manly and brave and cool. The scene in the Room of Requirement with all the old D.A. members, with a few additions, was great. I love the bit of comedy there between Seamus and Ron after Ginny comes in. The following scene in the Great Hall with Harry confronting Snape, the duel between McGonagall and Snape, and sending the Slytherins to the dungeons was well done.

THE BATTLE – Epic. That is really the only word that can describe every single battle scene. A lot was added to the battle, but I just loved every bit of it. Right away I was in awe of Maggie Smith’s performance as McGonagall. It was very inspiring. She really took things up a notch. The scene with the Snatchers and Neville at the bridge was done very well. I literally gasped when Neville didn’t show up for a while. Everything else was great as well. Everything about the battle was breathtaking!

RAVENCLAW’S DIADEM – Although Luna didn’t take Harry to Ravenclaw Tower (by the way, Luna was just adorable when she told Harry to listen to her), I really liked how the whole thing with the Grey Lady/Helena Ravenclaw was done. The actress who played Helena was perfect and really pretty. I feel that it would have been a little better if there had been a little more background information given.

CHAMBER OF SECRETS – I am extremely happy that they showed this. The kiss between Ron and Hermione was perfect, and them laughing a bit after was so cute. I really love how their relationship developed in the films and am glad that they didn’t ruin it like they did with Harry and Ginny. But … wow … that kiss. It was about time they finally got together!

FIENDFYRE – Even though I knew Crabbe wouldn’t be in this film, I was still a little disappointed because he was supposed to be the one that dies. However, Goyle taking his place worked (not very many people can tell who’s who anyway unless they’re hardcore Potter fans). I was kind of hoping that they would at least give Blaise a line or two. It seemed like they stuck him there just to fill in for Crabbe not being there. Nevertheless, I loved this scene, mainly because of Ron. And I totally laughed at the Cornish Pixies being there. It was so random, yet reminded me of Lockhart instantly.

SNAPE’S DEATH – Alan Rickman is a god. He really is the ONLY person who could ever pull off Snape. His performance in this film was astounding and that is what made the tears come pouring out. Snape’s death was done to perfection. Even though it didn’t occur in the Shrieking Shack like the book, I felt that the boathouse was a very solemn place for him to die. One thing that I liked was how they didn’t show Nagini attacking him. I think that would have been too much for me to bear. And I nearly freaked out when they changed the last words he said to Harry before going. But I felt that the change was appropriate and it worked out well and I'm sure that meant a lot to Harry, as Snape has always been tearing Harry down for constantly reminding him of James.

THE PRINCE’S TALE – Snape’s memories did not help the crying situation at all for me. I loved everything about his memories. While they did cut a few memories out that were in the book, I didn’t really notice. And I’m glad that they put what they did. Young Lily and Snape were adorable, and I loved the memories with them. But the one memory that really got me was the one where Snape went to the Potter’s home in Godric’s Hollow. That was mind-blowing! It was done extremely well and it really showed how much Snape loved Lily. Perfect, absolutely perfect!

THE FOREST AGAIN – One of the few things I didn’t like about the film was Harry telling Ron and Hermione that he had to face Voldemort and die. I prefer the way Jo did it in the book, where he just slips under his invisibility cloak and goes to the Forbidden Forest. It just seemed odd, mainly for the scene where Voldemort and the Death Eaters return with Harry’s “dead” body. Anyway, the bit with the Resurrection Stone and Lily, James, Sirius, and Lupin was really touching. I really wish that we could have had a little more screen time with them, simply because it was one of those “if you blink, you’ll miss it” types of things. Lily’s last line really got to me, too. The remaining scenes in the Forbidden Forest were great.

KING’S CROSS – THIS. WAS. PERFECT. And Voldemort’s soul thing was kind of creepy. But I’m glad they showed it.

“DEAD.” … NOT! – Even though I hated Helen McCrory as Narcissa in Half-Blood Prince, I felt like she finally got it right in this film. The skunk hair still annoyed me, but I was impressed with her performance. I just loved the scene when Voldemort and the Death Eaters take Harry’s body back to the castle. It was weird, seeing Voldemort hug Draco, though. That should not have been there at all. Neville’s speech was very moving, though I wish they would have kept his “I’ll join you when hell freezes over.” line.

MOLLY VS. BELLATRIX – Personally, I liked how Molly delivered her ever-famous line. It was one of those lines that was meant to be dead serious, no nonsense about it whatsoever. Bellatrix just tried attacking her daughter, and Molly had enough as she just lost one of her sons and some of her friends. The fight between them could have been better, though. It was just a bunch of flashing light and Bellatrix explodes. I honestly wasn’t impressed with the exploding Bellatrix. The scene would’ve been better if her body just dropped dead.

HARRY VS. VOLDEMORT – Harry and Voldemort running around Hogwarts was interesting. I still think it was weird that Voldemort wrapped up Harry mummy style with his robes, and I’m glad that they cut the whole “Why do you live?” bit. It just wasn’t something Voldemort would do. I didn’t really like the final showdown happening in the courtyard. Having that happen in the Great Hall with everyone there would have made a bigger impact. And what was up with Voldemort turning to ash? Seriously! It was just weird.

SNAPPING THE ELDER WAND – This scene was really great. The only thing I wish they would have done was have Harry fix his original wand before snapping the Elder Wand in two and throwing it over the side of the viaduct.

NINETEEN YEARS LATER – The kids were so adorable! I think they really got the casting down, especially with Hugo Weasley (he reminded me so much of Rupert back in Philosopher’s Stone). I am really glad they touched up on aging the trio, mainly Ron and Harry. Earlier pictures of them aged didn’t look so great. Also, I wished that the scene could have been a bit longer, just to introduce the new kids and everything. Nevertheless, it was a really touching scene.

Of course, there were a few things that I didn’t like; however, the film overall was, as Ron would say, bloody brilliant! I couldn’t have been more pleased with everything. It really was a great way to end the Harry Potter films with a bang. I cannot wait to watch this film again and again. As Jo Rowling herself said, “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.”

MISCHIEF MANAGED!