8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie ColtraneAdventure | 100% |
Fantasy | 78% |
Family | 60% |
Epic | 57% |
Mystery | 30% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (3 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Bonus View (PiP)
BD-Live
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
It had to end, and it had to end spectacularly. After fourteen years, seven unexpectedly gripping award-winning books, eight wildly successful record-breaking films, eight billion dollars at the box office, and the franchise GNP of a small, self-sustaining nation, author J. K. Rowling's burgeoning wizards and warriors deserved a big screen finale of sky-splitting proportions, and returning director David Yates and series overmind, screenwriter Steve Kloves, were more than happy to oblige. Death, betrayal and magic. Heartbreak, desperation and darkness. Selflessness, sacrifice and redemption. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 has it all. The risky, oft-criticized proposition of splitting Rowling's seventh book into two films? Vindicated. The efforts of the many filmmakers, actors, artists and technicians who've walked through the doors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Honored. The series' devoted fans? Thrilled. Rowling's readers? Satisfied. Critics? Uncharacteristically united. It had to end, and it ended in style. Spectacularly, though? Almost. Almost.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends. Once more...
The 3D release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 fares better than its Part 1 counterpart, even though it also hinges on a less-than-spectacular 3D post-conversion. The 3-disc set's 1080p/MVC-encoded 3D transfer, like its separate (and magnificent) 2D encode, is a technical powerhouse, not to mention faithful to Yates and cinematographer Eduardo Serra's bleak, haunting vision and intentions. There are also far more scenes that take advantage of -- or try to take advantage of -- the 3D presentation: a winding roller-coaster ride through the caverns of Gringotts, a daring escape on the back of a dragon, the vast halls of Hogwarts, a near-death encounter with a trio of fire beasts, the clash of Voldemort's forces and Dumbledore's Army, and, of course, the final showdown between the Boy Wizard and the Dark Lord, a battle that exhibits more patented 3D pop than any other sequence in the film. Still, Part 2 is an even darker film than Part 1 and depth and overall dimensionality take a bit of a beating. Whenever shadows descend, an inherent flatness descends too; whenever darkness presses in, the 3D effect all but relents; whenever the image is at its blackest, the tint of the 3D glasses blot out already obscured on-screen objects and make it that much more difficult to peer into the corners of Hogwarts' chambers. Depending on your display and glasses, you may also notice a bit of crosstalk, particularly as Potter rallies the troops before the sun rises and Voldemort falls. Again, though none of it is a product of the technical encode or the Blu-ray transfer; both are as precise and on point as they should be. It's simply the fault of the film which, to cut to the heart of the matter, probably shouldn't have been converted to or released in 3D. The Deathly Hallows isn't blessed with the traits that would lead to a more absorbing and immersive 3D experience.
Thankfully, the film itself, whether viewed in 2D or 3D, remains a gorgeous entry in the Potter franchise. Colors have been mercilessly drained of life, but bursts of magic, chambers of gold, walls of flame and visions of the past nevertheless boast a spread of vivid primaries and rich, storybook hues. Fleshtones are pale but natural, complementing the film's tone perfectly; shadows threaten to overwhelm every inch of the screen, but delineation doesn't falter; black levels are as deep, inky and ominous as anyone could hope for; and crush isn't an issue. Any loss of detail traces back to the original source (or the tint of the 3D glasses), not the studio's high definition encode. Not that there's anything in the way of actual detail loss. Closeups, midrange shots and, well, everything in between and beyond reveal wonderfully resolved fine textures. Better still, edge definition is crisp and satisfying (with only a hint of ringing to contend with), a faint veneer of unobtrusive grain lends the image a beautiful filmic quality (that isn't distracting in 3D), every set and costume looks as lived-in and worn as it should, and clarity is, in every instance, as forgiving or foreboding as Yates and Serra intended. Better still, artifacting, banding, aliasing, aberrant noise and other unsightly distractions are nowhere to be found. Some exceedingly minor and altogether infrequent smearing is present, negligible as any affected shot is, but it's strictly a product of post-production noise reduction as it was visible in the film's theatrical presentation. Don't blame either encode, though; if you notice any instance of it at all. Suffice it to say, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 impresses and then some... so long as you view it in 2D. The 3D presentation isn't a complete loss and even boasts a few standout moments, but it isn't armed with the might and magic that could have made it a 3D legend.
As if an outstanding video transfer weren't enough, The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 conjures up a jaw-dropping, window-rattling, sternum-thumping DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that takes every advantage of the eighth Harry Potter installment's absorbing sound design. LFE output isn't just powerful, it's all powerful. Toppling towers thunder to the ground, rubble roars as it scatters, explosions erupt with ferocity, dragons screech with authority, rickety vault carts clank and clunk heavily and heartily, giants lumber, halberds crash to the ground, and magic bolts tear through the soundscape. Rear speaker activity mounts an equally aggressive assault on Hogwarts as armies clash in the oh-so-convincing distance, chaos erupts around the listener, and directional effects are precise and, in spite of all the dark deeds afoot, relatively playful. But it isn't all shock and awe. Quiet, thoughtful moments precede every Death Eater storm, and the nuances and subtleties of the film's atmospheric soundfield are magnificent. Whether dealing with the vast expanse of an underground cavern or the wind-swept depths of a slumbering forest, dynamics are impeccable, pans are disarmingly smooth, and dialogue, be it whispered, spoken or shouted, is clean, clear and intelligible, no matter how explosive the wand-vs-wand battles become. And Alexandre Desplat's somber score? As delicate, graceful and climactic as it should be. Make no mistake, The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 sounds even better than it looks, and that's saying a lot. Fans will be ecstatic, casual listeners will be blown away, and audiophiles won't have a single complaint.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is best viewed as one long epic event, but Part 2 stands on its own quite well, bringing confident closure to a beloved saga. It isn't a perfect adaptation, nor is it a perfect film. But it's a commanding, compelling finale that will top many a fan's Best of Harry Potter list. Warner's 3D Blu-ray release wields powerful magic of its own thanks, despite a 3D experience that doesn't always pop as well as it might if the film were shot in 3D or featured a bit more light. Still, it serves up two technically proficient video transfers, a top tier DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a marvelous supplemental package sure to keep diehards and casual fans busy for the better part of an afternoon. Don't hesitate, don't wait, don't waste any time. Add The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to your cart post haste, be it the 2D version or the 3D combo pack.
2011
PROMOTIONAL DISC NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL SALE
2011
2011
2011
Movie-Only
2011
2011
Alternate Artwork + Bonus Disc
2011
Movie Only Edition
2011
2011
Limited Edition Combo Pack With 48 Page Book Album
2011
2010
2009
2007
2005
2004
2002
2001
2-Disc Edition
2008
2005
2010
2019
2014
2014
2015
2010
2013
2008
2018
3-Disc Edition
2010
2016