Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Spectacularly epic, poignant end to a magical series.

PG-13 2011 130 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 84 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 456 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the epic finale of the Harry Potter movie saga (all based on the books by J.K. Rowling), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, is the deadliest, most intense, and most touching installment of the lot. Because the majority of the movie is an all-out battle between Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his army against Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his allies at Hogwarts, there's an extremely high body count -- including the deaths of several beloved supporting characters. Most happen off camera, but several bodies are shown. In a few scenes, everyone is bloodied and injured or dead, and it's brutal to watch (a shot of dead goblins is particularly gruesome, and one character's death at the fangs of an evil snake gets pretty gory). Despite the raging battle, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) at last find a moment to snog and spend most of the movie holding on to each other; Harry and Ginny (Bonnie Wright) also share a quick kiss. And in the end, it's not the violence that viewers will take away, but the idea that every hero, no matter how brave, needs loyal friends to defeat evil and that love lives on even in the face of death. Themes include courage, perseverance, and teamwork.

Community Reviews

B-127
B-127 Adult
August 7, 2020
age 18+

Finally figured out why so many parents hate Harry Potter material

None of the elements in this movie are appropriate for children, or for most adults, for that matter: - obsession with death - communication with the dead - imbuing objects with the soul of a person I'm rating it 18 and up because children should have a little more experience and maturity before being exposed to something dealing with this kind of "magic." I had forgotten how bad the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was; it had been several years since I saw it and I forgot that its content had made me decide never to watch another Harry Potter movie. Realized years later I had never finished this series, and gave this one a try. Big mistake. It is a slow-moving, dark, joyless, grim, sad movie. We made it through perhaps the first half-hour, watching scared, tense teens interrogate goblins and others, trying to find the missing "pieces" of the bad guy's soul (his literal soul!) that he has "hidden" in various objects all around the country. The spaced-out Luna pops up and tells Harry that since no living soul knows where the objects are hidden, then this means he'll need to talk to the dead. I basically jumped at the remote to get this piece of trash turned off. We do not welcome black magic or the occult in our household.

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
christineaustin100
christineaustin100 Adult
July 13, 2022
age 12+
I absolutely love this movie! I was worried about the violence but it wasn’t bad as long as you know what’s coming! Actually my parents and brother didn’t know and they were fine! The most bloody and scary part is where lavender (spoiler!) is killer by fenrir greyback. He is violent werewolf, so you can imagine how that might be scary. I have heard people say that this movie is way too dark and depressing but I don’t get it! Yes, it’s dark. But it is also focused on bravery and friends fighting more fiercely for each other than ever before. For the potterheads who know what is coming, here are parts that are xtra emotional so prepare yourself: When Snape dies and his backstory are very sad but don’t skip, definitely don’t skip. It is important and not the kind of sad where it makes no sense that he dies. He died bravely, in the words of scorpius, and his backstory is important. Also, the deaths of lupin, tonks, and Fred. You probably already knew that if you have read the books, but just in case you forgot and so it doesn’t take you by surprise. There is also some cursing including the b word, but the level of swearing is probably about the same as the book. This movie is amazing, not to scary, and it will make you love Harry and his friends even more. An amazing end to the Potter movies, and you definetly must see it when you are ready.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 84 parent reviews

What's the Story?

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2 begins when we last saw Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) convalescing at Shell Cottage after Dobby died rescuing them from certain death at Malfoy Manor. Harry enlists injured goblin Griphook (Warwick Davis) to help them break into Bellatrix Lestrange's (Helena Bonham Carter) vault at Gringotts in search of more missing horcruxes. But after a death-defying escape, Harry realizes that they must return to Hogwarts to find the final items they seek. With aid from Aberforth Dumbledore (Ciarán Hinds) and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), who's assembled all of their friends, the central trio goes back to a Death Eater-run Hogwarts, now led by Headmaster Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) declares all-out war on Harry, whom he's desperate to kill before Harry can destroy all of the remaining horcruxes and render him mortal again. Thus begins the climactic Battle of Hogwarts, in which Harry makes life-changing discoveries, while his friends take up wands to help him save the wizarding world.

Is It Any Good?

Director David Yates has been at the helm of the Harry Potter series since the fifth film, and he sends it off with a spectacular finish. He switches from Part 1's sparse, atmospheric tone to a relentlessly intense war film in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Grint and Watson add some much-needed levity with their sweet romantic overtures, but while they're off fighting Death Eaters hand-in-hand, it's Radcliffe's big moment to propel the action to Harry's final confrontation with Voldemort. Also shining brightly are Lewis' Neville, who, after years of being the class wallflower, proves just how brave a Gryffindor he is, and Kelly Macdonald, who plays a ghost with fiery intensity. Rickman gets his best scenes ever in a series of flashbacks that explore his true nature, and Maggie Smith is surprisingly gleeful as Professor McGonagall in warrior mode.

For once, Yates and screenwriter Steve Kloves' adaptation could have been even longer to properly represent crucial moments like Molly Weasley (Julie Walters) taking on Bellatrix Lestrange, or Ron and Hermione finally admitting their feelings through a kiss (neither scene is quite as heart-stopping in the film as on the page). Other sequences, like Harry's momentous walk in the Forbidden Forest, the Weasley family convening in grief, a look through Snape's memories, and even the controversial-to-readers epilogue, are all handled quite beautifully -- poignant moments of the heart to punctuate the nonstop action of the battle. Much of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is either a tearjerker or an epic battle scene -- sparks flying, wizards dueling, creatures crushing each other. It all builds up to a last indelible shot ... one that reminds us while all may be well, it's sad to know that the Harry Potter series has ended.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is age-appropriate for young kids, even if they've already read the books or are familiar with the characters. How does the tone and subject matter of the series change over time?

  • Which characters reveal different parts of themselves in this movie? Why did they make the choices they made? How do those decisions affect Harry?

  • How does the development of Ron and Hermione's relationship contrast to most other teen love stories? Is a slow-burning romance as believable or exciting to watch as love at first sight?

  • Did the final movie live up to your expectations? Are there any other book sagas you'd be as excited to see turned into movies, or do you think it's unlikely another franchise would hold as much magical appeal?

  • How do the characters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 demonstrate perseverance, teamwork, and courage? Why are those important character strengths?

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