After fifteen years, seven novels, eight films and an almost unquantifiable amount of money, it all ends here for J.K. Rowling’s teenage wizard. To cite Harry Potter as this generation’s Star Wars saga is to belittle the success of the multi-platform franchise. While Lucas’ original trilogy of spirited, youthful rebellion in deep space was aimed squarely at younger viewers, Harry Potter managed to seduce both children and their parents simultaneously. Their popularity expanded greatly when transferred to the big screen, thanks in large part to Warner Bros’ decision to treat the material seriously and employ the cream of the British acting world to bring Rowling’s vividly imagined characters to life.

Fans who bemoaned recent installments for veering away from the formula of each covering a single school year should find solace in the fact that Deathly Hallows Part 2 takes place almost entirely within the grounds of Hogwarts. As Voldemort and his Death Eater army closes in on Harry, he seeks refuge at the school. Practically every character from the series gets at least a moment’s screen time as teachers, students and Ministry members alike take sides for the final confrontation. In terms of sheer cinematic spectacle, the film more than delivers, staging one impressive set piece after another, each brimming with tension, invention and genuine excitement. But the film also brings a surprising amount of story to what is essentially one big effects-heavy rumble, revealing long-hidden secrets concerning both heroes and villains that add a much welcome level of emotional engagement to the proceedings.

While the drama focuses chiefly around the fateful stand-off between Harry and Lord Voldemort, the script graciously offers a number of wonderful character moments to many of its supporting performers. Alan Rickman is fantastic as Snape, who traverses some very complex territory with remarkable skill, while Ralph Fiennes ensures Voldemort remains something more than a two-dimensional snarling villain. Surprisingly, classmate Neville Longbottom features prominently and is given a couple of excellent hero moments, deftly carried out by Matthew Lewis. Perhaps the highest praise of all must be reserved for director Peter Yates. Previously unknown, Yates has helmed the last four Potter films, guiding the saga away from the wide-eyed sense of childish wonder Chris Columbus brought to the first two films, instead creating a dark and sinister world where magic is not only real, but powerful and very dangerous.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the perfect finale to a series that has enraptured the world’s film-going public for almost a decade. Brimming with adventure and startling effects work, while remaining grounded in a world we can believe in, Harry Potter succeeds where so many other franchises fail because ultimately it is concerned with characters we either care about or are genuinely fearful of. The result is not only the ultimate summer blockbuster, but probably the best film of the series. All that said, the 3D is still rubbish.