Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part Two

Ten years and eight films have come and gone - and the world of Harry Potter has finally come to a conclusion. Unless you've been in a coma, you know that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" is the very last - the very final - chapter in the Harry Potter franchise. Starring the best British actors in the business as warlocks and wizards and all sorts of creatures, the Potter franchise does itself proud with an emotional, beautiful, and fulfilling adaption of J.K. Rowling's last book.

Not only does the Blu-ray look and sound amazing as one would expect, but also it is filled with featurettes and behind the scenes goodies sure to please Potterfiles. Oddly missing is some sort of Super Trailer or celebration of the 8 films that have become a phenomenon, but that's a minor quibble when you practically get a course in movie making from the filmmakers and actors.

The most comprehensive is the Maximum Movie Mode that runs alongside the film as it plays. Various actors and creative team appear next to frames that show behind-the-scenes footage that mirrors the scene in the movie that is currently playing underneath. It's a sort of visual commentary that is a bit busy, but completely engaging. In addition the main Movie disc features a number of featurettes on various Potter topics.

Disc 2 includes a behind-the-scenes featurette on "The Goblins of Gringotts," "The Women of Harry Potter," a WB "Studio Tour London" that shows the making of Harry Potter at Leavesdon Studios, and a smattering of fairly dull deleted scenes.

The best Special Feature, however, is "A Conversation with JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe" where the two sit down and talk about all things Potter. Radcliffe is clearly nervous and JK tries her best to be humble - to mixed results. The two frequently talk over each other, which is a bit distracting, but it's actually a fascinating 53 minutes that gives insight into the casting, the experience of being in such a successful franchise, and how it's affected their lives. Kudos to Radcliffe for asking Rowling about her announcement that Dumbledore was gay and from where that decision came. And it's nice that WB didn't get nervous about including it in the feature.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2
Blu-ray
$35.99
www.warnerbros.com