Harry Potter Reviews: Does the Film Live Up to the Hype?

Die-hard Potter fans lined up days in advance for the London priemere of the series' final installment. Thousands arrived from all over the world in their Hogwarts garb and fan-made signs. In spite of the rain, fans held their ground and endured every weather condition just for a glimpse at the stars later today. The film will be viewed in three theatres in Leicester Square. Even the red carpet has adapted a Harry Potter theme for the day as it has been designed to look like Daigon Alley.

The Harry Potter finale has been declared the most anticipated film of 2011 as it has already out sold its previous installments. It is also the fastest selling ticket of the year so far and has 2000 showtimes sold through Fandango. Throughout all of the hype and fan fever--is the film any good? Fortunately, some reviews are in and it seems to be looking mostly good for Deathly Hallows.

The Hollywood Reporter claims: 'It ends well. After eight films in 10 years and a cumulative global box-office take of more than $6.3 billion, the most successful franchise in the history of movies comes to an obligatory - and quite satisfying - conclusion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Tony McCarthy for the Hollywood Reporter also said An outstanding capper to the most lucrative film franchise of all time.

However, Justin Chang for Variety didn't find the film as ravishing. Although it was exciting, adventurous, and a sure to keep you at the edge of your seat, the final scenes were quite disapointing. He added, that the film surges ahead with tremendous urgency, superb spectacle and powerful, even overwhelming emotion, only to falter with a hasty sendoff that seems to buckle under the weight of audience expectations. Tears will be shed as fans bid farewell to Hogwarts, but catharsis remains just out of reach.

The concesus is that Part 2 runs at a quicker pace than Part 1 and did not allow fewers a more ceromonial ending to the 10 year journey. The Telegraph felt that the action packed pacing was actually helpful and not hurtful for the movie. He expressing that perhaps the greatest triumph of this final film is its ability to overcome the deficiencies of J. K. Rowling's writing. He adds, But Yates here transmutes it into a genuinely terrifying spectacle, as bloodied students fight desperately against a horde of screaming black-robed Death Eaters.

Does the film live up to all the hype? The fans will be the judge! We can all catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in theatres on July 15.