HP ... it is finished

Ok, this is a bit delayed, but a few words on HP 7.2.  I’ve been partially delayed because I didn’t want to include any spoilers, but that’s too hard.  So, if you don’t want to know anything about the latest HP movie, you might want to skip this post.

Pause …. 

Ok … are you still here?  Ready for the massive spoilers?

Pause …

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I can go ahead.  First of all, loved the movie.  It wasn’t too long, didn’t drag or dawdle, didn’t have much gratuitous violence or unnecessary cuteness.  It starts out right where the last one left off, and goes on running up until the moment of truth (and the epilogue).

My favorite moments:

-Professor McGonagall: “I’ve always wanted to use that spell” … with a mischievous look in her eye

-Neville:  need I say more?

-Snape’s tears … and his memories.  Again, they stuck with what was necessary and didn’t dawdle or get sentimental.  This is also when all the 20-something boys packed into the theater behind me started sniffling.  Loudly.

But really, what I loved most was the moment when Harry was in the forbidden forest, ready to meet his end.  Ready to give his life for his friends.  Ready to make the ultimate sacrifice so that good could prevail.  It’s really his Christ moment, and I mean that in the very best way.  Alone at last, he looks around and says simply, “I am ready to die.”

And in true Christological fashion he discovers that the one who gives his life will save it.  It is in our moments of sacrificial love that we are most human.  It is when we turn our backs on power—as Harry does in a snapping motion on the bridge near the end—that we find our true power.  Love.  To paraphrase Dumbledore, the real death is not death, the real death is living without love.  So Harry chooses love--and lives.

How wonderful to have this truly counter-cultural message encapsulated in a pop culture icon.  Not a unique message, but one that we need to hear again and again. So nice to have it done so well, and who knows the impact this message might have on those with ears to hear.

And finally … it is finished.