Critics Adore 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2'

With the end finally here, fans lining up to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 are probably wondering: Is it any good? Most critics say yes.

The Washington Times called it "somber, exciting, and surprisingly beautiful." The Guardian said it was "an entertaining, beguiling, charming and exciting picture." Exalting it with a four-star rating, Us Magazine said this final installment is "a sensational end to the epic 10-year journey."

Much of the praise has been centered around actor Alan Rickman, who has portrayed the dubiously loyal Severus Snape in every film in the series. Largely absent in part one of the two-part epic, Snape gets his shining moment in this film, and the critics are taking note. The Denver Post said Rickman plays Snape "with brilliant, unyielding severity." Could that mean Rickman has another battle coming up — this time for an Oscar? We will have to wait till January to find out.

Some critics, however, took a more equivocal view of the film. Fox News called it "underwhelming," saying that The Deathly Hallow Part 2 does not carry the "emotional momentum" that Part 1 set in motion. Other critics agreed that the emotional climax of the film was not as good as viewers are hoping for. "Tears will be shed," wrote Variety, "but catharsis is just out of reach."