The following is a description of the release of the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 from a trade paper. “Warner Bros. is releasing the film Friday on more than 11,000 Stateside screens in 4,375 locations — the franchise’s widest launch — with more than 3,800 midnight locations.” There’s no stopping these kids, now grown up, and the 3D glasses are shaped like Harry Potter glasses.

A sense of closure ensures the enormous likeability of the last film (number eight) in the Potter franchise. HPATDHP2 has good action beats and pretty much gives a tip of the magical top hat to almost every character who’s shown up in previous installments.

Personally I find my interest in the latter Potter films spurred by my admiration for director David Yates (he helmed the last four Potter films). Yates directed one of the best mini-series for television in the last decade, the BBC thriller State of Play. Kelly Macdonald, one of State of Play’s leads pops up in the last Potter playing the ghost of a character seen in the film Potter film.

The three main characters are more interesting as adults and there’s even some sexual tension thrown in that was previous non-existent. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint appear to have developed taller than Daniel Radcliffe but Potter still has the most powerful wand. Alan Rickman also has some juicy moments and the series’ best character arc.

– Michael Bergeron