Best Production value
One of the pleasures of this movie is to see how the film's production team has expanded on relatively brief passages in the book and turned them into satisfying visual splendors. One of the best comes almost at once, with Potter and friends penetrating deep below the earth on a twisting and turning journey to see what's inside the Gringotts' vault belonging to Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter). Just as good is a wild and crazy magical blaze that engulfs that Room of Requirement when a Fiendfyre spell gets out of hand.
Final Love and Kiss
Hermione and Ron share a very sexy smootch. Finally, these two characters seal their love for one another with a kiss, and when the initial excitement of the scene wears off, viewers begin to realize that this is a very steamy and adult liplock. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson bring authenticity and spark to the scene.
New Generation
This really is the end of a generation. Many millions of fans legitimately grew up alongside Harry Potter, and so the true finale of this franchise is a sad day indeed. With emotions running high, it will be a very intimate and special experience to watch "Part 2" in theaters with hundreds of other people who are there (we assume) out of love for the "Harry Potter" series.
Alan Rickman (God)
There are many, many great performances in this movie, but none of them even begin to compare to the magic Alan Rickman portrays on the big screen. No spoilers here, but fans who are familiar with "Part 2" and the story of Snape should know the scene of which I speak. Viewers will have to have a heart of stone to be able to resist the emotional performance Rickman has in his final "Potter" film.
Farewell
But Neville isn't the only character to have his moment in the spotlight. Molly Weasley earned the most explosive cheer during the screening of the flick I attended, while Lupin and Tonks, Lavender Brown, George and Fred Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Seamus Finnigan, Professor McGonagall and countless other characters get their moments to shine as well. It's a bittersweet farewell to characters fans have come to know and love over the eight-film-long series.
Neville Longbottom
You've probably been hearing a lot of talk about Matthew Lewis in recent days, and for good reason. Finally, finally Neville Longbottom gets his due in this movie, and Lewis clearly relishes the experience to be the spotlight for a bit. Of the many character arcs that are resolved in this film, Neville's is the one who has you cheering the hardest.
It All Ends Here
This movie's tagline says it best: It all ends with this movie. There will never be any more "Harry Potter" films after "Deathly Hallows: Part 2." The release of "Part 2" is a cinematic milestone in addition to being a great movie-going experience, and it's an event that likely won't be matched for a very long time.
