Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

The story begins where the last one left off -- Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) steals the elder wand out of Dumbledore's (Michael Gambon) coffin, believing that it will grant him unlimited power.  Meanwhile, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermonie (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) continue their search for horcruxes, the things where Voldemort has hidden pieces of his soul.  By destroying the horcruxes, Voldemort's power weakens.  Voldemort gathers an army and declares a full-scale war, and the weight of destiny bears heavy on Harry's shoulders.

Those who have read all of the books should find this last chapter of the film series satisfying as it follows the story without leaving too much out.  They will recognize references to things that happened earlier in the books.  Those who just watched the films without reading the books will find much to be surprised about, especially concerning Professor Snape's (Alan Rickman) role in all that has transpired before.  Warning:  have tissues ready at the end of the film.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (2010)

The casualties keep piling up as Voldermort (Ralph Fiennes) becomes more powerful.  An alliance formed against Voldermort attempts to protect his prime target, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe).  Unfortunately, several people are injured, and a few are killed.  Harry, not wishing for anyone else to become hurt because of him, decides to strike out on his own.  He has to find the horcruxes, pieces of Voldermort's soul that are hidden in various places, and destroy them.  If Voldermort gets to them first, he'll be practically unstoppable.  The late Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) left some things in his will to Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) that point to clues to find the horcruxes.  Hermione and Ron go along with Harry to find them. None of the action takes place at Hogwarts, the wizards' school, because it has become too dangerous for Harry to be there.  The story, which covers the first half of the last novel in the series, has Harry and friends on the run and being involved in narrow escapes. 

The movie does a good job in following the novel, and appropriately ends on a note that perfectly sets up the next and last film in the series, which will be released in a few months.  It is nice to see Harry, Hermione and Ron growing into young adults.  The supporting characters -- Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter), Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)  -- gear up for their part in the final showdown between Voldermort and the good guys.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) offers a job to Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to be the new Potions professor. But Dumbledore has an ulterior motive; he wants Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to retrieve a memory from Slughorn. Years ago, Slughorn had Tom Riddle (Hero Finnes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) as a student. Riddle was brillant, but used his powers for evil and became Lord Voldemort. Slughorn's memory will help in the battle to defeat Voldemort, who continues to gather his army.

Mean bully Draco (Tom Felton) is tipping around town and the campus, hanging with the Death Eaters, who are faithful to Voldemort. It is revealed that Voldemort has ordered Draco to do something horrible -- and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) has promised to protect him as he carries out the deed. Crazy and dangerous Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) is also involved, so things don't look good.

On top of this, Harry and friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) deal with navigating the world of love and romance. This is a good entry in the popular movie series, but not everything in the novel made it into the film. That fact does not detract or weaken the storyline. The end of the film is a perfect lead-in for the next two films which will end the series.