'Deathly Hallows: Part 2' marks end of the journey

  • Bill Thompson
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  • Posted: Monday, July 11, 2011 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 3:44 p.m.
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Clarence Lor, 9, and Emily Lor, 16, of Mount Pleasant quaff frosty mugs of nonalcoholic butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando last Christmas.
/Christina LorClarence Lor, 9, and Emily Lor, 16, of Mount Pleasant quaff frosty mugs of nonalcoholic butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando last Christmas.

Warner Bros.

Toe to toe and wand to wand with Lord Voldemort, at last.

Well, it's about time, Harry.

Loyal readers and filmgoers have been awaiting this day, bittersweet though it is, for years.

Finally, in Friday's opening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the last film in one of moviedom's most successful franchises, Harry dons destiny like a sorcerer his robe.

Christina Lor, for one, is excited at the prospect. The Mount Pleasant resident practically grew up with the boy wizard, starting when she was 14.

"I've read all the books multiple times, beginning with the first, 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (1997)," says Lor, 26, communications manager with Pearlstine Distributors of Charleston. "I heard about J.K. Rowling's sensational series on television and thought I'd give it a go."

The first movie in the series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), cast a spell of its own.

Lor's loyalty was contagious. Her 9-year-old brother, Clarence, is an avid follower of the films. Not infrequently, he can be spied in costume, practicing incantations and wizarding duels around the house. Her kid sister, Emily, 16, likewise is a Potter film aficionado.

"We went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park (in Orlando) last Christmas and now have a wizard's robe and wand. Clarence enjoyed an authentic taste of butterbeer in the streets of Hogsmeade, and we purchased pumpkin juice to bring home. His favorite part was The Wand Experience at Ollivander's. We even caught a glimpse of (actor) Tom Felton on a private tour of the park."

Immersing herself in the books made the prospect of movie adaptations all the more enticing, says Lor.

"I remember when the books were being released -- slowly -- and I would anticipate the hardcover arriving. I preordered them; I never made it to Barnes & Noble for their midnight deliveries."

Continuity, and Rowling's vivid imagination, have had much to do with keeping devotees hooked, Lor adds.

"The sequence of events from one book to another is spot on. Rowling did a great job recalling details from a previous book and kept the anticipation up for her readers. Book 6, 'The Half Blood Prince' was a generous and tremendous service to her reader's curiosity about life, before the cataclysmic demise of Harry's parents."

Rarely has something in the category of children's literature been so consistently popular across age groups.

Lor thinks the same enthusiasm is evident for the movies.

"I like to think that I have an exuberance and a zeal for books and film series when I latch on to them. But 'growing up' with Harry Potter created an attachment beyond a general interest for the story," says Lor, who likens it to an insatiable appetite. "I spent my hard-earned tips (as a waitress) buying the new books and movie tickets, and anticipating them as gifts. This was not just something I fell into, but something I worked to earn.

"I remember staying up all night when the last book came out and barely making it in time for my early morning shifts at a local store. I was 18 at the time, and what else could I say but, 'Sorry, I was reading "Harry Potter" last night.' "

Lor admits to having mixed feelings about "closure" with the saga. "Even at its end, I find comfort in knowing that 'all is well.' I have a sense of closure for this (Harry's) generation of wizards. They have achieved resolution, traveling in a short span on a journey that reflects a series of battles that most adults have endured only after a full life. But I would welcome and anticipate a continuation of these wizarding stories beyond Harry, Hermione and Ron."

Meanwhile, in director David Yates' and screenwriter Steve Kloves' "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," the stakes have never been greater nor more realms imperiled in the struggle between good and evil. And it is Harry who may be called on to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Starring with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) are the who's who of British actors, among them Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) and Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), together with David Thewlis, Helena Bonham Carter, Felton, Imelda Staunton, Bill Nighy, Julie Walters, Jason Isaacs, John Hurt, Robbie Coltrane, Miranda Richardson, Brendan Gleeson, Ciaran Hinds and Fiona Shaw.

'Harry Potter' Premiere Party at the Hippodrome Wide Screen Cinema, 360 Concord St., downtown Charleston.

At 10 p.m. Thursday, with midnight and 3 a.m. screenings to follow.

The fest includes a costume contest ($200 first prize) and trivia games, plus theme drinks and candy. Expect the butterbeer to be a bit more potent. No cover charge for the party. Screening is $10.

Visit www.hippodromewidescreen.com for advance ticket purchases. Call 724-9132.

The Final 'Harry Potter' Festival at Cinebarre, 963 Houston Northcutt Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.

The brooms come out at sundown Thursday, with screenings (two indoor, one outdoor) at the chime of midnight. The party offers free wizard wands for all, a magician, jump castle, Harry Potter DJ, face-painting, a photo booth with costumes and a fortune teller. There will be a "Harry Potter" trivia contest with prizes, costume contests (Best Look-Alike, Most Creative and Best Group) with prizes, themed food and drinks for all ages.

Visit www.cinebarre.com for advance ticket purchases. Call 216-2690 or 884-7885.

'Harry Potter' Marathon at area AMC Theaters

Though not a party as such, it's still a festival at the Northwoods Stadium 13 (2181 Northwoods Blvd., North Charleston, 518-6000)

All eight movies in the series will be shown starting Monday and ending with a 12:05 a.m. Friday screening of "Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

Visit www.moviefone.com/theater/northwoods-stadium-13 for details.

Citadel Mall Stadium 16 (2072 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., 556-4629 or 769-7600) is showing "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in regular and 3D at midnight Thursday. For more information, visit http://www.southeastcinemas.com/theater-charleston-citadel-mall.htm for showtimes.

Reach Bill Thompson at 937-5707.