2011 Summer Movie Season -Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2: Review & Analysis

End of an Era, Birth of a Legacy!!! The Final Chapter of The Boy Who Lived's Epic Tale Puts Capper on One of Hollywood's Greatest Cinema Franchices
                 By: Brandon Porter




"Come on Tom, Let's finish this the way we started it.....TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Harry Potter to Voldemort



Only one..



Can Live..



The Story

   An ominous aoura of darkness surrounds the wizarding and muggle worlds. Lord Voldemort and his forces continue to spread pain, death, and chaos to everyone they come in contact with. Harry Potter and his friends, after bearly escaping one of the dark lord's loyal acomplices in Bellatrix Lestrange at Malfloy Manor, continue their seach for the Horcruxes, items that maintain Voldemort's immortality. The last leg of their seach will bring them back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to face the dark lord himself and his army of death eaters. The events Harry has endured have preeped him for this moment and ultimately a great scarifice must be made to ensure the peace of the magic and non-magic worlds alike as the long awaited battle between good and evil reach the peak of the spear. The end has finally come, the lines has been drawn, and when it's all said and done...only ONE can live...... 

Harry Potter prepares to duel Voldemort in the courtyard of
a burning Hogwarts.

 Analysis
   There is no denying that the final chapter the Harry Potter saga was the most anticipated film in the entire summer movie season or the year of 2011 for that matter. The true end of an entire decade of magic, wonder, fun, and suspense were almost about to be forever silenced never to be awakened again. It was certain that the people who had been working on these films since the Sorcerer's Stone in 2001 were just as emotional as the millions of people around the world who went to see it. From Daniel, to Emma, to Rupert, and everyone else, I'm sure it was hard to beileve that this would be the last time they would ever do this. When the finale of the epic series finally arrived on July 15th, the world's wait for the end had finally ceased. thousands of theater's across the globe, both conventional and IMAX, filled up every seat to witness the end. After just the first weekend, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 became an instant box office bahemeth breaking numerous box office records and opening day records. On opening weekend, the Deathly Hallows Part 2 raked in $169,189,427 becoming the biggest opeing weekend release for a film in box office history and $15,500,000 in opening day for IMAX. As of July 20th, the film has currently made over $604,887,891 worldwide. In addition opening day records, Harry Potter 7 Part 2 broke previous records held by past box office blockbusters. The film now holds the title of Widest 3D launch (Previously held by shared month competitor Transformers: Dark of the Moon), Highest Gross in Advance Ticket Sales and Biggest Midnight Release (Both Previously held by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), and Biggest IMAX Midnight Release (Previously held by prior release Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 really became a finacial giant in just a few short days of realese. Critically, the film did the best out of any of the previous 7 movies. Rotten Tomateos gave the film a near perfect 97% rating, the highest since Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  in 2004 that recived a 90% overall rating, stating it was "Thrilling, powerfully acted, and visually dazzling, Deathly Hallows Part II brings the Harry Potter franchise to a satisfying – and suitably magical – conclusion,". Reviewer Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half out of four stars sayin, ""The finale conjures up enough awe and solemnity to serve as an appropriate finale and a dramatic contrast to the lighthearted (relative) innocence of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone all those magical years ago." After doneing "Universal Acclaim" and become one of the best reviewed films of 2011, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 has truly brought one of the most beloved stories in history to a bittersweet end and put to rest an entire decade of childhood memories and secures the series' place as one of the greatest film franchises of all time.




After 10 years together, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and
Rupert Grint take on the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione
one last time......

 Review

    Out of all the films in the summer movie season, nothing excited me more than to see the final chapter of the Harry Potter saga. I thought it was cinema heaven when I saw that Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 were being realesed in the same month. When I finally got the oppurtunity to see the film in IMAX 3D, I was beyond exstatic. But strangly, the seconds into the film, I felt my heart beating uncontrollably as the opening title sequences began to appear. I realized that while I was going to enjoy the best movie in July, I was also experiencing the countdown to the end of a series that I had never knew meant so much to me. Even if I didn't read all the books, The films captured the books so well I felt like I had read them. As for the movie itself, it was damn near perfect!!! Every moment of the film was emotional. Rearly was there a dull moment either for the intensity was present in every second of the film.The emotion was so high that it had me on the brink of tears in most moments of the film to the point where in one scene, the tears just started flowing down. Acting was as solid as ever in this film. Watching the characters I grew up with rise up and become heroes was heartwarming and gratifying. And Neville Longbottom's out of nowhere courage was outstanding. I remember when he was the very shy and clumsy kid always getting mixed up in zany situations. I remember in the first film where he stood up to his friends so they wouldn't get hurt looking for the Sorcerer's Stone, though Hermione did freeze him, that showed Neville had guts to stand and show courage. Fast forward to the final film, Neville's courage was on full display throughout the entire film. Seeing him go from clumsy kid to full fledged hero was brillient and a joy to watch. And the romantic relationship between Ron and Hermione finally coming into frution was both relieving and funny. The kiss in the chamber of secrets was so sudden, I couldn't help but laugh but all the same thinking, "It's about time." And I can't forget about Severus Snape. After hating his guts for what he did to Dumbledore in the sixth film, I starting hating myself after seeing what he did over the course of the films behind the scenes. The courage and sacrifice he displayed was so moving it made my heart ache. Without him, Harry would have never found the courage to finally defeat Voldemort therefore making Snape the unsung hero of the day. The emotion, the action, and the drama of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 were as thrilling as can be making this film the most intense movie event of the year. Overall, I was both saddend and satisfied with this film, saddend that there will never be another one and satisfied that after 10 memerable years, we can all truly say that all is well.

Rating and Final Thoughs

 98% A+

  The best film of 2011 hands down. This closes the curtain on 10 years of magical memories that will never leave the hearts of the millions of people who experienced the tale of the boy who lived.





It's hard to beileve after so many years, It has all ended. Thank you Emma, Rupert, and Daniel
for giving us the best 10 years we and you have ever had. We love you and we'll miss you. May you remain Harry, Ron, and Hermione in our hearts forever....



2011 Summer Movie Season - Transformers: Dark of the Moon: Review & Analysis

More Than What Has Ever Met The Eye!!!!! Final Transformers Film Makes Case For Summer Movie Of The Year!!!
          By: Brandon Porter




"Years from now their gonna ask...Where were you when they took over the planet?" - Agent Seymour Simmons



Turns Out Optimus isn't the only prime after all.

 The Story 

    On July 16th 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of mankind by becoming the first humans to set foot on the moon. But most people don't know, their was more to that mission than what we were told. A cybertroninan star craft called The Ark was discovered on the dark side of the moon. Within it carried many deceased cyberetronian warriors one of whom being Sentinel Prime, the leader of the autobots before Optimus took up the responsibility. Years have gone by since than and now, the secrets of the past begin to come forward and threaten to end the world as we know it. For the mankind to survive, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), his new girlfriend Carly (Rosie Hunington-Whitley), Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the rest of the autobots must make one last stand to end the decepticon threat to bring peace to Earth. When the smoke settles, one will stand and one will fall!!!



Optimus Prime prepares to bring the pain in the now war-torn
city of Chicago

 Analysis
 

  Ever since the annoncement of the next Transformers film earlier this year, fans and crittics were both excited, anxious, and sceptical. After the embarrasing critical failing of Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, Michael Bay promised a deeper plot with a more serious tone. With the firing of series veteran Megan Fox and the removal of the stereotypical robots Mudflap and Skids, Early speculation suggested that Bay wasn't kidding and actually wanted to make this next film a darker and more serious installment. The film was originally scheduled to be released on July 1st, but Paramount wanted to see the early response to the film so the film release date was bumped up to June 29th. After the films release, it seemed that critics had no intention of giving Michael Bay critical praise..again. From Rotten Tomatoes' 38% rating to complaints about the movie's length, acting, and plot despite impressive action sequences and 3D useage, it seemed like Transformers : Dark of The Moon was yet another entry into the Michael Bay Hall of Shame. On the bright side, many critics in contrast gave the film a solid amount of praise.  Ain't it Cool News gave the film a good review calling it "The best entry in the Michael Bay-Directed franchise" and the Daily Bhaskar awarded the film a 3 and a half out of 5 stars and described it as a huge improvement from Revenge of The Fallen and give fans something to cheer about. Financially, Transformers : Dark of The Moon dominated the 4th of July weekend box office bringing in $372.1 million dollars making it the third largest opening of all-time right behind Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Spider-Man 3. And having a worldwide total of $398,125,000 million dollars becoming the #1 movie in the world, It seems that Transformers has once again soared to new heights and truly become one of the great film franchises of all time.



Fan Favorite and young Autobot scout Bumblebee takes it
to two unlucky Decepticons in Downtown Chicago.



Review

   There was no denying that Transformers 3 was one of the most anticipated films of the summer. That was the same case for me. After being tortured for days by not being able to see it, I finally witnessed it in stunning IMAX 3D. And I left the theater specchless!!!! This movie was completly indescrible in everyway possible!!! The intense action sequences completly outmatched any action movies that came before it, the film's tone and theme was dark and serious, and the emotion factor was at an all time high. I haven't felt that way walking out of a theater since I saw Avatar two years ago in 3D. Michael Bay has clearly outdone himself with this film. The action sequences in the movie were hands down the best in the entire summer movie season. From the Sentinel Prime Escort/Chase Scene featuring Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Mirage to the collapsing building sequence, I found myself in pure summer movie extacy. The film's tone and emotion also played a big part in my enjoyment. Michael Bay promised to make the latest Transformers installment darker more serious. And I must say, he delivered exactly that. Even with a few goofy moments in the beginning of the film, by the end of the first 30 minutes, they were almost non exsistant. Another winning factor of Transformers 3 was the emotional impact it had on me. The movie took me through so many emotions. I found myself thrilled, shocked, sad, and angry in most moments of the film. I literally was on the brink of crying in the parts where the Autobots were about to leave Earth and a tear almost fell down when Bumblebee said goodbye to Sam and angered by Dylan Gould's, played by Patrick Dempsey, betraying the humans to the Decepticons to the point where I wanted to jump through the screen and beat the living crap out of him!!! My heart was literally pounding and my breath was held tight for the intensity didn't just lie in the action. When a film takes you through these type of emotion during the course of it, there is no denying it's a winner.The 3D visuals were surprisingly impressive as well. Being I was in IMAX and experiencing the movie in 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound made it really seem I was actually in the movie. As for acting, Rosie Hunington-Whitley did a great job in her first big acting role. She really gave the sense of humor, feeling, and personality that Megan Fox clearly lacked in Revenge of The Fallen. Hopefully, she'll get better down the road a become a well recognized actress. Summing it up, Michael Bay delivered exactly what he promised us. Transformers : Dark of The Moon may be the end of the high octane trilogy, but there is no denying that it went out with a BANG!!!!

 

 

 

Rating and Final Thoughs

 97% A+

   It's not only the greatest Transformers movie ever made..but it's one of the greastest summer movies ever made!!!!