Voldemort Strikes Back

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" begins the conclusion to the wizard's saga. The seventh book in author J.K. Rowling's magical opus has been chopped into two feature films to properly tell the story, and capture some additional box office dollars. The movies have become Cliff Notes versions of the novels, providing the proper plot while lacking the shading and detail present in Rowling's writing.

Director David Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves use the additional time to concentrate on the characters and force them from the safety of Hogwarts and into the treacherous Muggle world. Instead of the comfy corridors of their familiar school, Harry, Ron and Hermione trek through forbidding forests and inhospitable coastlines in their search for the remaining Horcruxes. The locations bring a new reality to our heroes and open the scope of the pictures that had begun to feel stuck in the studio.

The film earns its PG-13 rating by raising the dramatic stakes, as beloved characters are killed off unexpectedly and sexual jealousies threaten the trio's unity. There are furious wand shot-outs,including a standout magical gunfight in a London cafe where Harry realizes that there are no safe havens.

While there's plenty of room to tell a bleak story of impending war, Yates and Kloves equally appreciate spots of silent reflection, giving characters the opportunity to sit down and contemplate the journey ahead, with the passage of time emphasizing the doubt that is developing within them. Previous films would have jettisoned these moments, but the film is richer with their inclusion. After six movies at breakneck pace, it's refreshing to sit with Harry and observe him coming to terms with his fate, while offering unexpected acts of friendship (and impromptu dances) with those close to him.

The trio of actors has matured into their roles brilliantly and it has been a pleasure to see them improve in their craft. Radcliffe and Watson show a maturity and emotional range beyond their years and Grint has become comedic gold. A horde of famous faces return to fill out the community of wizards, villians and ghouls, though nobody sticks around very long.

"Deathly Hollows" remains an engaging fantasy film, with a suspenseful set-piece where our heroes infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and a unique animated sequence that explains the origin of the titular objects. The audience is given "The Empire Strikes Back" ending that finds Voldemort at the height of his powers.  This nervy entry in the franchise wisely matures with the fanbase and builds some momentum for the furious final stand .