Deathly Hallows: Part II – What I Hope to See
On July 23, 2009, I started reading Harry Potter and blogging about it here. My goal was simple: find out what happens to the boy wizard and his friends before the Deathly Hallows film ruined the ending for me. Essentially, this whole blog has been leading up to the final installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Now, I have my midnight tickets and two years of anticipation. Early reports from reviewers and fans alike say the movie lives up to expectations, but will I be satisfied with it? Will I get to witness an ending equal to the epic finale I read and imagined over a year ago?
Right before seeing Deathly Hallows: Part I, I blogged my hopes and predictions for the film. In many ways, the movie actually outdid my requests of it. I was pleasantly surprised by how strong it was, and I can only hope Part II eclipses it.
And in the spirit of true fangirl excitement (I’ll admit it now – I’m a fangirl), here’s what I’m hoping to see tonight as the Harry Potter series comes to a close. Warning: this entry is going to be longer than Hermione’s scrolls for Professor Binns.
“I open at the close” Needs to Come Into Play
With so many Hallows and Horcruxes flying around, I’m always worried they’re going to muck it up somehow. Granted, I can’t imagine a scenario where they somehow forget about the Snitch and what’s inside, but I want to put it out there that this must show up in the film. Non negotiable. The movie’s called Deathly “Hallows”, for pete’s sake!
Tonks Needs to Pop Out a Mini Lupin
We, avid readers and muggle fans, know that Tonks is pregnant in the first film. Everyone else, film go-ers who don’t like long books with lots of words, only know that she has something she wanted to tell Harry before Mad-Eye Moody cut her off. Please don’t drop this plot point! If you hint at it in the first film, you need to follow through in the second. Besides, Teddy serves to show how things have changed since Harry was orphaned. He is loved and cared for, not shoved in a cupboard beneath the stairs. J.K. likes to tie things up with a pretty little bow and the film should do the same.
Let’s See Voldemort Kill the Potters
That’s really the driving force behind this series, isn’t it? Voldemort goes after Harry, kills his parents, transfers some of his power to his infant enemy, and all but destroys himself. From that point on, his quest is to finish what he started and kill Harry Potter, but the boy is protected by the love shown by his mother when Voldemort tried to kill him the first time. We need to finally see this happen. It’s the sun around which this series rotates. The book beautifully details the events of that night. The film must do the same. I’ll go so far as to say the filmmakers owe it to us. (Gosh, I’m demanding!)
What Happens to the Malfoys After Harry Escapes?
We get little hints of Voldemort’s reaction to Harry’s escape from Malfoy Manor, and they aren’t pretty. But even when I was reading, I wanted to know more. I’ve always had a soft spot for Draco and his story. The Malfoys are so concerned about calling for Voldemort prematurely. Let’s see the wrath they faced when Voldemort arrives to find Potter has escaped again.
An Epic Gringotts Scene
The visual of drowning in a sea of rapidly multiplying hot metal is horrifying. Shocking. Terrifying. I want to see that on film! Actually, I bet the Gringotts scene reminds everyone a lot of the Ministry of Magic scene from the first installment. The set-up is rather similar: use Polyjuice Potion to sneak into a dangerous location and retrieve a Horcrux. I’m also rather excited to see Helena Bonham Carter pretending to be Hermione pretending to be Bellatrix. I’m a huge fan of her acting (Fight Club, The King’s Speech – the woman is amazing), so this could be a lot of fun.
Harry Using the Imperius and Cruciato Curses
In the book, Harry uses the Unforgivable Curses in the same order Mad-Eye Moody/Barty Crouch Jr. taught them – in order of severity. He uses the Imperius Curse in Gringotts. He uses the Cruciato Curse to defend McGonagall’s honor at Hogwarts. We are lead to believe that in doing so, he is building up to use the ultimate Unforgivable: Avada Kedavra. That’s why it’s such a relief when he doesn’t have to. I would love to see this build, since we witnessed his inability to use the Unforgivable Curses in Order of the Phoenix. Characters need to grow and they need to be flawed. This accomplished both rather nicely. Plus, I’d love to see Harry jump to McGonagall’s defense.
Neville Should Be AWESOME
If anyone has earned a moment to shine, it’s Neville. I want to see him crawling out of the portrait in Hogshead. I want to see him kicking some Death Eater arse. I want to see him clearly in control of the students at Hogwarts. And I want to see him kill Nagini. Neville, this is your time!
McGonagall Battling Snape and Snape Only Defending Himself
I know we see McGonagall and Snape go at it. I just want it to be clear that Snape isn’t attacking McGonagall, only defending himself against her advances much like he does when Harry attacks him in Half-Blood Prince. I highly doubt we’ll get to see a Snape-shaped hole in a Hogwarts window. I’m also not banking on seeing Snape fly. But I have very particular parameters on how this battle should go down to ensure Snape is a believable good guy in the end.
Percy Arriving to Fight Alongside his Family
When Percy climbed into the Room of Requirements and apologized to his family, I got a little misty-eyed. I loved this moment and a lot of people have sort of looked at me funny when I’ve said that. Of all the points in the book to get all emotional, I react to Percy admitting he’s a jerk and returning to the Weasleys. Go figure! For that reason alone, I really want to see this happen. If anything, the Weasleys should be together in the end.
Fred’s Death
I’m not sure what I expect of Fred’s death. It just needs to work. There are a number of ways for this to happen and I really think you’ll just know if they nailed it or not.
Let’s See Hermione Destroy a Horcrux
In the book, only Ron witnesses Hermione’s battle with the Horcrux. In the film, we all get to see what Hermione faces when she destroys the Hufflepuff Cup. Hermione deserves this moment to face Voldemort. She has stuck with Harry and risked everything for this. I understand that originally not showing Hermione’s plight in the Chamber of Secrets creates a stronger bond between her and Ron, but I’m curious what happens down there.
Hermione and Ron Need to Finally Kiss
I know they do. Obviously. Just saying. It’s about time!
“If we die for them, I’ll kill you Harry!”
I love this line. Harry’s refusal to leave Draco and his minions to die in the Room of Requirements is so satisfying, and Ron’s flabbergasted response is simply endearing. I hope this line is in the movie.
Lupin and Tonks’ Death
I don’t want to see Lupin and Tonks die, but I want to see them die all the same. In the book, we only see the aftermath, which works because we’re following Harry and he only sees the aftermath. But in a film, this could be a very powerful moment. I have a sense from the trailer we get to witness this loss. Again, going back to the Teddy thing, I think it’s important to tie everything up.
Snape’s Memory
Maybe some people are waiting for Harry’s final battle with Voldemort. I’m waiting for Snape’s memory. Again, I don’t know what has to happen for this to be perfect for me, but I’ll know it when I see it. Young Snape and young Lily. Snape accusing Dumbledore of keeping Harry alive only to kill him. Dumbledore making Snape promise to end his life. Snape sending the Patronus. The line “Always” would be an incredible touch.
The Unfortunate Return of Colin Creevey
I felt his death in the book was unnecessarily cruel. But since it’s in the book, I want it in the film. Seeing as we haven’t actually run into Colin in years, though, I’m not really sure this can happen. I refuse to look at the cast list to see if it does, but I’m really not counting on it now that I think about it.
Harry with his Parents, Going to Face Voldemort
The trailer told me this happens, so I’m not worried about it. I’m just giving a nod to another moment in the book that reduced me to nerdy little tears.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?”
I love this quote. I love the scene at King’s Cross. I love the little Voldemort fetus twitching in the corner. I’m ridiculously curious to see how this plays out in the film. And I really hope they keep this line in.
“Not my daughter, you bitch!”
Speaking of lines I can’t let go of, Mrs. Weasley MUST say this. Of all the lines I’ve mentioned previously, this is the one that cannot be cut from the screenplay. It is the line. Mrs. Weasley has been pushed to the brink. Her daughter was almost killed five years ago. Her husband was almost killed two years ago. One son has been attacked by a werewolf. Another son has been traipsing through the countryside trying to destroy Horcruxes. One son has lost his ear. Another has lost his life. This woman has had it! And Bellatrix is going to pay the price.
Narcissa Claiming Harry is Dead
When asked what her favorite moment in the movie is, Helen McCrory said when she feels for Harry’s heartbeat and claims he is dead. I think the growth of Narcissa throughout the series is fascinating. She is a dark woman who loves her husband. But more importantly, she is a mother and her love for Draco comes first. Again, every character is flawed and we need to see that, but every character also has a good side to them. This is Narcissa’s moment to show where her priorities lie.
The Reaction to Harry Being Dead
It’s incredibly powerful to see Hogwarts respond to Harry’s death and devastating to consider Harry is witnessing it, too. It’s a strong moment and I want to see it played out on film. (Seriously, I am really demanding!)
An Epic Final Battle
The final battle in the book was very cerebral. From everything I’ve heard, the final battle in the film is far more epic. I’m just excited to see exactly what that means. It appears to involve diving off one of the Hogwarts towers?!?
The Epilogue Should Be Worth It
This is our final moment in the Harry Potter universe. It has to live up. That’s all I’m going to say.
Everything Should End with Hedwig’s Theme
Because it’s only right.
I’ve asked for a lot here, I know. And some of these requests may not come to pass. But I’m absolutely positive I will love the film regardless and I trust that whatever the did with this final installment, it was done with reverence and respect for J.K.’s work.
I’ll see you tomorrow with a full review.
ENJOY THE MOVIE, MUGGLES!
Jess, couldn’t have said it better!!
Ok, you have succeeded in making relive the whole Deathly Hallows book, to the point of tears and using up countless tissues like I did when I read it! (YES!!!)
I agree wholeheartedly with your demands, except for the part where you get soft at the end, trusting them and allowing for whatever changes they may have felt they needed to make!
One other demand I would have is to see the change in Kreatcher when he is treated with a certain amount of respect—-to have him clean up his act and become a dignified house-elf.
Actually, one other thing. It is the thing that has bothered me most about the later films, and the reason I say: “They don’t need to turn Harry Potter into Lord of the Rings!” It doesn’t need to be “Epic.” Well, maybe “epic” in another sense, just not all fight and effects. It NEEDS to convey the cerebral element of the fight. I know they could do it if they tried!
wow, you are demanding
but most of your demands are met, sp I guess you won’t be too disapointed… I love that you are so passionate about Snape… 
How can one not be so passionate about Snape? He is the key to so much. Despite seeing the movie last night, I found myself crying again at your list of demands.
Wow, just saw the movie. Pop pop pop, you nailed em. It’s like they read your demands before making the movie.
Well, David Yates and I are personal friends and we sat down over coffee one day and I was like “Davey, listen. If you’re gonna make this film, here’s what you gotta include. No ifs, ands, or buts.” Of course, he complied (and paid for my vanilla latte).
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.