Fitting end: Final 'Potter' lives up to hype

After seven earlier films reaching back a decade, the Harry Potter saga comes to a solid and satisfying conclusion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. The finale conjures up enough awe and solemnity to serve as an appropriate finale and a dramatic contrast to the light-hearted (relative) innocence of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone all those magical years ago.

Harry, Hermione and Ron are grown up now, and Harry has even grown the facial stubble required of all epic heroes. The time has come for him to face Lord Voldemort in their final showdown, and their conflict is staged in a series of special effects sequences containing power and conviction. I am still not sure what the bolts discharged by magic wands actually consist of, but never mind: They look wicked and lethal.

I dare not reveal a single crucial detail about the story itself, lest I offend the Spoiler Police, who have been on my case lately. Besides, you never know: Maybe they've completely rewritten J.K. Rowling's final book in the series. Maybe Harry dies, Voldemort is triumphant, and evil reigns. Full review.