The magical world of the film, which exists parallel to non-magical "muggle" society, no longer resembles the whimsical Dickens novel it did in the first movie. No, the magical world is a more depressing version of our world, where terrorists and fascists are working hand in hand to bring down the weak government. And with the powerful wizard Albus Dumbledore murdered, there isn't really anyone who can stop them. Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix has sworn to keep Harry safe, since he's the only one who can defeat Voldemort, but Voldemort has been busy, and is desperately trying to figure out how to kill Harry even as he sends his agents, including those within the ministry, to find and capture him. When Voldemort's Death-Eaters get too close for the second time, Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on a cross-country journey to find the remaining Horcruxes, artifacts that each contain a fraction of Voldemort's soul. Got all that? Because that's pretty much the gist of it, although at some point the trio learn what the actual Deathly Hallows are, and why they matter to Voldemort.

Some have commented on the franchise's lack of forward momentum -- how each chapter involves a fair amount of dilly-dallying and mucking about until the end, when a mystery is solved, a battle takes place, and everyone graduates. Since this movie spends absolutely zero time at Hogwarts, it has the freedom to space out the battles and the confrontations throughout the film. Granted, at two and a half hours long, that means there's still plenty of time between them, but that's fine by me. Previous Potter films have always felt rushed, like they were trying to cram in as much information from the book as possible. Even when they weren't fighting, they were constantly talking, explaining backstories and emotions. But here, there are some silent, wordless scenes, and some shots presented entirely to establish surroundings and set a mood. It's a pleasant change of pace, and it made me feel like I was watching a real movie, not a franchise, although I can see how less action might not be a positive change for everybody.

Rest assured, the action is still there -- there are chases and shootouts aplenty, and people get seriously hurt, even dead. Two deaths, in particular, are especially devastating, even though one happens off-screen, and the other involves a character I certainly never expected to have an emotional connection to, for a variety of reasons. The performances by the young stars of the film are better than ever, and the older cast members are great, as usual. The movie brings back almost every living adult character, including John Hurt as Ollivander, Imelda Staunton as Umbridge and Frances de la Tour as Madame Maxine. We get a few newcomers -- Elphias Doge, Gregorovitch, Bill Weasley (played by Brendan "Mad-Eye" Gleeson's real-life son) -- but none get much screen time, aside from Luna Lovegood's father Xenophilius. Played by the great Rhys Ifans, Xenophilius is a man unhinged, and since he wasn't particularly well-hinged before, you know that Ifans gets to be really frighteningly desperate here.

I don't expect it to happen this weekend, but if you gave up on the series, go back and watch the rest of them on DVD. The director changes at least once more, the performances only get better as they go on, and you'll get to go to the theater, sit down and watch this wonderful film. I suppose you could go in without having seen the other films, but even I have to admit that you'll be slightly lost with all of the callbacks to characters from previous installments. And when Dobby the House Elf shows up? You're going to think somebody put something in your popcorn.

Did you see Deathly Hallows? Let us know what you thought below! If you need a refresher before you go, check out our guide to the last six films, then read our guide to the movie's talented cast! And check out more reviews here!