Film Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

9/10

Well folks, that's it.  The end.  No more Harry Potter, and if this is the last ever film in the series (and I bet it will be) then they've made sure it ended wonderfully.

That's not to say the film was without it's flaws.  It's not perfect but mainly they're due to what they've missed out from the book and to say that the film suffers for that is perhaps a bit churlish but it's my review so I'm allowed to nit-pick.

One glaring omission (for me) is how they failed to mention how Voldemort's name was cursed so that if they said it, it could lead the Death-Eaters straight to them.  And also Percy Weasley's sudden reappearance.  But, to be fair, if I hadn't read the books, these points (amongst others) would probably have gone over my head.

Some people are bemoaning the final duel, saying that the book version is better.  Well, is it 'better' or just 'different'?  The books are one thing.  They are all brilliant and largely sacrosanct.  They are (I believe) all amongst the best selling books in history (of course the Bible is still in the lead - in the Fiction section at least).  But the films are just films.  Yes, they are 'based' on the book, but they are also perfectly good in their own right.  In fact, if the films were just on their own, without the books to compare them with, I'm sure they'd all be ranked a lot higher in many peoples opinions.

As it is, I thought the film was pretty brilliant.  It was funny, moving, thrilling, exciting, and wonderful.  I'd have loved to have seen more of the battle of Hogwarts and some of the acting was a bit... Lacking (Bonnie Wright, you're gorgeous but you're not going to win an Oscar).

But mostly, I think it's the knowledge that this was the last one, until the inevitable remakes in 20 years time, that makes this such as great, great film.

Thank you Harry, Hermione and Ron.

Thank you J K Rowling.

Thank you Warner Brothers.

Dreams Unfulfilled

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

So what did YOU want to be when you grew up?  Were you, like me, semi-guided by parental and grandparental career paths (bus driver/policeman/etc)?  Or perhaps, with youthful exuberance, angling for a career that could be adequately described as 'impossible' (astronaut/professional footballer)?

I've been thinking a lot lately about where my career is going. And I do really think, at the moment at least, that it isn't.  I'm existing.  I'm doing a good job, I'm sure about that (and if any of my colleagues are reading this and disagree, I'll sabotage your e-mails...)  How different would my life have been if I'd stuck at my A-levels?  It's not like I'm stupid, I've got a certificate from MENSA for heaven's sake!  (For those wondering, my IQ is 136 - apparently puts me in the top 6% of the world...)

(I'm using waaaay too many brackets in this blog, I've noticed...)

Anyway, my point is this: Am I doing what I dreamed I'd be doing?  No.  But then neither are most of us, if we're honest.  Life happens, mistakes happen, bad things happen.  And suddenly you're no longer the bright eyed 15 year old with the world at your feet, you're a mid-thirties desk-bound 9to5-er with no real prospects of going any higher.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not REALLY complaining.  I'm doing a lot better than many others, I earn enough to get by (just!) and above all else, at least I have a job.

Just recently though, I've allowed myself to dream about another life.  One that I never thought about until the last couple of years:

I'd LOVE to sing in a West End musical!!

No, seriously...

I love doing karaoke, when I can find the finances, and I've always loved singing songs from musicals (such as Phantom of the Opera).  But looking at You Tube performances, it has made me think "Yeah, I could do that!"   One role in particular I would love to have a go at is 'Javert' from Les Miserables.  His stand-out solo song is 'Stars' which I have done at karaoke, once or twice.  I would love to do it in a more professional setting, with the clothes, the props, and so on.

One of my best friends is a member of a local Am-Dram group and I'm sure, if I asked, he could at least get me an audition.  The problem is, however, there's a few people within that group who I despise.  And the feeling is mutual.  There's no way I could fit in there and I won't entertain the notion of trying.

I have been told of another semi-local group, from someone that works in my building but it's only semi-local if I had a car.  Which I don't.  So I reckon that's out too.

Something will come up, I'm sure of that, but I can only hope it's sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, let's get this database sorted out...