I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me: a review of the final Harry Potter movie ever (Sob!)

Readers, you are lucky that this is a review of the last Harry Potter movie, not the last Harry Potter book. Because if it was the book, I would be crying too much to be coherent, and my tears would probably short out the keyboard I am typing on. Because, SPOILER ALERT: it's sad. Which is not to say the movie wasn't sad. It was. But at least when I was watching the movie, I knew who was going to die, so I wasn't shocked and stunned sad.

Anywho, without further ado, my review, in bullet points.

• Times I have seen the movie: 2
• I saw it with my roommate Kate on Friday (opening day) at 7 and again on Monday after work. But aside from the next bullet point, my review will focus on the first time I saw it.

• Times I saw the movie in 3D: 1
• Philosophy confirmed by finally seeing a movie in 3D: If I wanted to see things in 3D, I would be out living my life, not watching a movie! Honestly, there were only about 2 cool moments, and the rest of the time the 3D was distracting. Definitely not worth $3 extra.

• Time I waited in line for the bathroom: 20 minutes. It's a good thing we got there a little early! Kate and I saw the movie at a very cool old theater that has about a billion seats and a ginormous screen, but they have the smallest ladies room in the world! Luckily, people were going super fast. 
• Number of people who gave up and left the line because they were worried the movie would start while they were waiting: at least 5. The panic about missing the opening minutes was hilarious, but I was starting to get nervous myself, so I can't judge. My favorite moment: A girl who was actually in the stall doing her business saying in a totally panicked voice, "I can't believe this is happening!" We had started a rumor that the movie was starting early. Ha ha!
• Number of friends I made in line: 4! People waiting to use the bathroom at the final Harry Potter movie ever are super friendly. Except for when we started that rumor. That was kind of mean. Good times.

• Number of people I saw in costume: more than I could count. I was a little amazed, because I thought people only dressed up at midnight showings. But it was so fun! And it made me really glad that I wore my muggle shirt and my Luna Lovegood earrings.

• Number of times my little neighbor (he was probably about 15) asked me if that happened in the book: at least 3. My answer: Isn't this your favorite book ever? Isn't that what you told me right before this movie started?? Isn't it??? 
• Number of times he asked me what the people onscreen just said: about the same. To be clear, I actually did try to answer his questions. But since it's his favorite book ever written (not just his favorite Harry Potter book) it seemed like he would know better than me. Perhaps he recognized my superior intellect and naturally gravitated towards it?

•  Number of time the audience spontaneously started cheering and clapping: So, so many. I can count at least 10 times, but there may have been more. And since I was cheering and clapping right along with them, I didn't mind one bit.
• Person who got the most spontaneous cheering: Neville Longbottom. I'm pretty sure. In any case, he's fabulously awesome, plus he grew up to be extremely handsome.

• Number of times I cried: 4. I won't say when for the sake of those who've not read the books (Shame!!!) or seen the movie yet, but I will say that 3 of those times, they were quiet tears and restrained sniffling. And the 4th time, which was when the credits started rolling, Kate and I were both full-on sobbing. We sat through the credits so we could pull ourselves together. And I definitely heard other people crying throughout the film. Oddly enough, when I saw the movie for the second time, I didn't cry as much, but I did cry at one different place in the movie. 

• Number of things left out/changed from the books that I wish they had left in: at least 6. But to be fair, I didn't think of those things at all while I was watching the movie. It was only later while I was thinking about it in depth that I remembered what was missing.

• Number of people shorter than Daniel Radcliffe: 1. Spoiler Alert!!! It's Seamus. Dude turned out tiny. 

• Number of super awesome special effects: Trick question, all the effects are awesome.

• Number of times I wished I was a wizard: continuously, throughout the entire film.

Is this movie as good as the books? No. Don't be silly. But I'd say it's one of the best films in the franchise. One segment in particular (it features Snape, but you'll get no more specifics from me) was wonderful. Alan Rickman, I officially revoke my opinion that you are too old to play Snape. I mean, you totally are, but you're super awesome, so I'll allow it.

So, the real reason I'm sad? The one-of-a-kind, shared Harry Potter experience is over.  Sure, it's been different since the last book came out (I don't know if anything will ever top going to midnight book releases, then feverishly reading and obsessively discussing with other fans), but as long as we still had the movies to look forward to, that communal experience could go on, at least in part. Sure, we still have the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but that's a really expensive trip away. I sometimes envy kids who are just starting to read Harry Potter for the first time, because they have such a treat in store for them. But really, we're the lucky ones. We got to experience it as it happened, with our friends, and with perfect strangers that became friends through the magic of Harry Potter.

To conclude, I'll quote from my book review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Will there ever be another series like Harry Potter? I don't know. I hope so. But even if there isn't, we'll always have Harry Potter!

More Harry Potter, aka "I'm not sick of it yet, and you shouldn't be either!"

Besides, faithful readers, the last Harry Potter movie ever is coming out this week. I think that deserves celebrating/crying. Which is why my roommate Kate and I just had an excellent Harry Potter party at our house, called, appropriately, "End of an Era." Sniff. But this isn't a post about being sad. It's a post about being awesome!

First and foremost awesome: the food! As any good HP fan knows, the food described in Harry Potter sounds both magical and delicious. So we put on our aprons and slaved away like house elves to make some delicious snacks. We had the ever popular pumpkin pasties, cockcroach free (probably) cockcroach clusters, and licorice wands. We also had toad-in-the-hole, which was extremely popular, if only for the fact that it was our only snack not completely stuffed with sugar. Also, sausage is good. And of course, we had delicious beverages. The pumpkin juice was delightful (I keep drinking the leftovers), and the Butterbeer was so rich and delicious that one diabetic guest had to take insulin after drinking it. Good times. I'm not sure that it was as good as the Butterbeer we got at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this was our first time making it. We shall persevere! But not too soon. The Butterbeer hangover is unpleasant.

 Finally, a chance to reuse my Butterbeer mug!

 Mmmm...Snacks...

Second and probably even more awesome: the costumes! We had a lot of muggles show up to the shindig, which was a little lame, but the people who did dress up brought it! And of course, since it was a contest that I was determined to win, I think you'll be pleased to know that I came in...second. But the girl who won was very deserving. I voted for her. Plus, I think I'm still the real winner, because I got the awesome lion hat.

 Dobby (Sabrina) is a free elf! Behold the winner.

 It's Cho Chang (Nella), y'all! Most authentic costume?

 Professor Trelawney(Jessie)! She did not tell any weird fortunes. Unfortunately.

 Madam Rosmerta (Kate) is sassy! And she's the best cook in the ward!

 Harry Potter (Zefron) and Hedwig. Can you believe no one else dressed as Harry? Also, note his yellow eyebrow, a joke that not a single other person there understood.

Yours truly as Luna Lovegood! I will probably not wear this hat to the movie. It's a bit too tall. And warm.

 

Look at all those muggles! It's shocking! And these were just the early arrivals!

Third, and pretty awesome: we watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. That's mostly so we'll be totally ready this Friday to watch the final film installment. Sniff.

Last, and most awesome of all: We are popular! We had more than 20 people come to our party (more than attended the ward activity earlier in the day. Sorry, ward! I couldn't come because I was working!). But the really amazing thing was how many of the people were not even Harry Potter fans. They are, of course, crazy. But the point is, these people who have never read the books (or only read 1) and only seen 1 or 2 of the films still totally wanted to hang out with us. Because we're cool. Yeah, we make this look good!

 Group shot! 

Back row, L-R: Madam Rosmerta, Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter, Professor Trelawney, Cho Chang

Front row, L-R: Hedwig, Dobby