I haven't seen all the HP films in the theaters. The first 6 were all varying shades of disappointment to me. 1 and 2 were loyal to the book to some extent, but lacked the magic. 3 was 'edgier', but I could have taken less time with the shrunken head and more time with some of the Maurader backstory that made the actual book so fabulous. 4? Meh. Weird hairstyles and an unpleasant Dumbledore. 5? More meh. More backstory sacrificing for...something. I can't even remember what. And 6? The horcruxes had been so poorly explained, I wonder how on earth they'd be able to have 7 make any sense at all.

I rented 7.1. And I may be in the minority, but it was the first HP film I actually watched twice. I thought the decision to split the book worked out to be 'brilliant' (to quote a term used in the film about as often as 'Blood and bloody ashes' is used in WoT). It was an enjoyable film--yes, yes, it's dark and gloomy...but so is the book, and I found little touches very touching...I was annoyed they took out the Harry/Ron reunion hug, but loved the little throwaway buddy scene in which Harry and Ron nearly ignite the tent while testing out a borrowed wand on one of Hermione's jar-flames. There was a sweetness to the movie that had been absent from so many of the others.

Anyway, fast forward to 7.2. I really enjoyed it. Despite my concerns from the other films, I think they did a credible job of working out a way for Harry to find the horcruxes (his being a horcrux not only giving him a window into Voldemort's thoughts, but also giving him a resonance with the objects, seeing as he now had no idea what they could be (missing the Pensieve memories of Hufflepuff's cup, DD suggesting Nagini, and Voldemort's visit to the castle, not to mention the idea that Voldemort wanted something from each of the Founders). I actually liked the destruction of the diadem via fang--less bizarre than a sudden 'invention' (as it seemed in the book) of Fiendfyre.

Other examples: although the Snape memories weren't as detailed as in the book, they still worked very well--nailed the essentials. It was strange. I've never been crazy about Alan Rickman as Snape--he always seemed too old for the role--although he definitely has the most perfect voice for the part. In 7.2, he really looked too old, and I almost laughed inappropriately in the scene where a hyper-photoshoped Snape begs DD to protect Lily. But still. The Voice. It worked.

Only a few quibbles, really. The total lack of explanation of why Aberforth hated his brother--there's a brief mention of DD sacrificing Arianna in his quest for power, but without DD's confession in the between-world, we are shown no evidence of any sort in the movies that he had been seeking any power at all. Similarly, no mention is made of how he got the wand from Grindelwald, or why it's weird that they would be friends...it's a loose thread left hanging thematically, but I can see why there just was not enough time. And of course, why they decided to sacrifice Harry repairing his wand to allow for more of the trio standing in the ruins, I'll never know. But, I don't really care.

I got choked up in the resurrection stone scene, and that sealed the deal for me.

(WOW, lots of typos)