Speaking as a casual viewer of the Harry Potter franchise – I’ve never read the books – Deathly Hallows: Part II strikes me as a perfectly acceptable denouement to the series. The film occasionally seems rushed – there’s an unmistakable feeling of stepping-up to reach the end – but it helps to remember that it’s essentially one long sustained climax, the conclusion of an entire saga. Certain plot points will remain incomprehensible to non-fans, but there’s so much glorious, visually dazzling incident to be had that it won’t be an issue while you’re watching it (post-film reflection is another story…). As much as Part I was table-setting for the inevitable, Part II pulls out all the stops with its wand-wielding spectacle and dramatic twists, leaving much of Hogwarts in ruins as Potter (Radcliffe, acting his heart out) searches for the remaining horcruxes to defeat Lord Voldemort. So it’s a pretty bleak – and relatively humourless two hours – complete with a serious body count, and the demise of a central character that achieves a blunt, brute force rarely seen in the other films. But in-between all the tumult and tragedy are those glimpses of levity – Ron and Hermione pashing, McGonagall (Maggie Smith) gleefully weaving a spell she’s always wanted to – that remind us of what charmed us to Potterverse in the first place. Part II is imperfect, but it’s an exciting, appropriately epic and for the most part, emotionally satisfying finish that should please its rabid fans and the others who’ve stuck around never realising they’d be cast under the spell of a young wizard for 7 films.