The Malfoy Manor scene provides the few other complaints that I have. Certainly not about the Malfoys themselves, as Jason Isaacs wonderfully portrayed the desperate cad Lucius, and Tom Felton's tortured Draco is superb. I really believed that he was not going to give the (too) slightly disfigured Harry away on purpose, although his awkward non-answer did it for him. Draco is a boy, and unlike Harry, has not looked death in the face. He doesn't possess the same heroic traits that Harry does, and I loved how Draco, who started as a series villain, was shown to be just a kid.
No, my complaints stem for the two pivotal deaths. Well, one, since Wormtail (Timothy Spall) was never killed, and his name appears in the credits for Part 2. The film Dobby (Toby Jones) was annoying from the beginning; the Jar Jar Binks of the Harry Potter world. It is no surprise that all of his subplot had been removed from movies 3 through 6. However, this has made his death mean so much less, as movie goers have not invested in him. Instead, what I argue was the single most tragic loss in a book filled with loss came across as noble, but not all that important. The exchange between Dobby and Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) only worsened it, as it felt out of place.
However, the scene immediately following where Harry mourns Dobby was splendid, even if movie-only fans were probably confused at the level of emotion shown. The mourning of the main characters drove home that Dobby's death meant something, and was not just a bow to popular opinion.
Over all, the movie lived up to expectations quite well. As expected, the cuts were less than in previous installments, since two films allow a more expansive story. While it did not exactly stand on its own, it certainly will have fans chomping at the bit for eight months for the capper. Eight months is far too long. I wish it would come sooner. If you are a fan of the series, both movie and / or books, it should satisfy fairly completely, even in wanting more.
A number of new actors joined at this late time in the series, including the 
always flawless Bill Nighy as the new Minister of Magic, Peter Mullan as the evil henchman Yaxley, David Ryall as Elphias Doge, Andy Linden as Mundungus Fletcher, and Rhys Ifans as Luna's eccentric dad, Xenophilius Lovegood. Each delivered outstanding, but brief performances. As most characters in the movie series, I only wished the got more screen time. Similarly, familiar favorites such as John Hurt as Ollivander, Frances de la Tour as Madame Maxine, and especially Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge were welcome returns, but barely got anything to do. This final film belongs to Ron, Hermione, and especially Harry, and while they own it, as they should, that does give less time for the deserving others.
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Article comments
1 - Linda G.
Also a big book fan (and am still angry over the left out battle scene in half blood prince)and saw Deathly Hallows Friday. Was very pleased overall. In addition to your comments, I didn't like what they did at the ministry when H, R, H broke in to get the locket. (1) leaving mad eye's eye in Umbridge's door- pooh; (2) when Harry rescues all the muggles in the book it shows his depth,eliminating it in the movie removes that. Along that same thought, when Harry, H and Ron visit Luna's house, in the book they make sure the Ministry/deatheaters who come at Luna's dad's bidding see Harry. Why? Because Harry doesn't want luna's dad penalized for faking out the Ministry saying that Harry was there, but wasn't. changed in the movie and lUna's dad is left hanging. Godrick's Hollow. What a mess. No invisibility cloak, no plaque at Harry's home, no statute of parents, no Voldemort just missing Harry and Hermione. Would have added 2 minutes to movie.
But this is a movie. I just wish I was the director. And I certainly don't feel that way about the books where the author is queen.
2 - Jerome Wetzel
Good call on leaving Mad-Eye's eye! I, too, was upset about it at the time, and totally forgot to include it in my book. I agree with your other points, too. It's always hard for movie makers to translate a good book. I guess we ought to be grateful they attempted, and did as good as they did. The series could have been a lot worse.
3 - Jerome Wetzel
*include it in my review, not my book, of course!
4 - jatin
i am jatin and i m huge fan of whole series of harrypotter.I hope i am living in magic world like harrypotters
5 - SteventheThorn
Well done on your review. I had forgotten about the Dursleys' shortened scene until just now. It was a terrible omission by Yates.
Also, the "slumped-over-Hagrid" scene wasn't emotional at all in the movie, while Harry thought he was dead in the book. I almost thought Hagrid or Harry was about to provide a bit of comic relief in the movie.
And I do agree that the dance scene was a nice touch. One of the few additions to the story that was good.
6 - Erekle Lashkhi
Harryyyyy i love you