I don’t care about what other people say – I really loved this film. Perhaps people got a little disappointed that there’s not much magic in this one, but I care to differ. This film is not about magic, it’s about its characters. And I say, it’s about time.

So far in the books and past films, I never really saw the big deal about Harry Potter. He’s not a very talented wizard, he’s not very smart, and he’s not blessed with a winning personality. In all of his confrontations with evil, his miraculous escapes seem to be only because of convenient coincidences, flukes, or simply someone else swooping in to save the day. [Although, after watching Goblet of Fire a 4th time, I saw something I missed before - he does have extraordinary courage. Even in the face of death. Perhaps that's the great thing about Harry Potter - his ability to carry the weight of his past and possible demise by Voldermort with strength and courage, and his selflessness in putting others before himself, despite his young age.]

But in this film, we finally see Harry. Who he is as a person, and who he is as a friend. And yes, he does have a personality. So, after 6 films, Harry Potter has finally endeared to me.

And it’s not only Harry – it’s also Hermione, Ron, Malfoy… especially Malfoy. These characters have moved past being simple caricatures of stereotypical personalities (Hermione as the brainy one, Ron as the idiot, Harry as the hero, and Malfoy and the covenient, one-dimensional bully) into real human beings, with complex and conflicting emotions, motivations and consciences. They now have depth and dimension, making them more real and more relatable to us.

And the film teaches us one thing – that even in times of tragedy and loss, there’s still time for friends, for love, and for laughs. In its lighter moments,  the film was funny, touching and heartwarming, and during its darker ones, it was terrifying and heartbreaking. And I thought the romance was well played out. It was sweet, without being overbearing and mushy.

Perhaps some of the magic was lost in the lack of razzle-dazzle, but to me, the magic was in the characters. It made me fall in love with them, something none of the past films or books has ever achieved. The film was beautiful and elegant, masterfully crafted with maturity, sublety and heart. Things that J. K. Rowling can only hope to achieve in her mediocre writing. 4.5 Stars.