Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Directed by: David Yates Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter Rating: NR Release Date: July 15, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: Effective trailer alert!
With all the hype surrounding this final chapter of the Harry Potter saga, one might think it would be hard to generate further interest -- I would argue that this trailer would prove that sentiment wrong. This trailer has perfect pacing, brilliantly implemented music and sound (save Voldemort's silly scream), and the standard (but well done here) ever-increasing number of cuts towards the climax of the trailer -- it's a cliched approach, sure, but effective when done right, as it was here. The trailer builds into an exciting frenzy of images, exploding off the screen, burning memorable images into retinas everywhere.
It would be interesting had Warner Bros. decided to release only the teasingest of teasers, and never released a full-on trailer. Certainly people will be hitting this film in droves, regardless of promotion. However, after witnessing the exciting crescendo of music steering CGI confection after CGI confection, I can see why they put this trailer together. It will certainly make the droves that much bigger.
The only thing I didn't like about this trailer was the omni-present scream/shout of Lord Voldemort. I believe it's five times that we're forced to listen to his obnoxious sonic disruptions. I've enjoyed these films quite a bit, especially the last two installments, but I've always found the series to be pretty weak in the character department. Sure, I like Harry Potter a lot, and Hermione is great too, but past that, for me, it's all more or less filler. I find Voldemort to be laughably not scary, and in this trailer when Harry tackles him off the cliff, I couldn't help but laugh.
Still, these are films designed for children, and should be approached as such. All things considered, this was a great trailer, for what promises to be a very fulfilling cinematic experience.