***WARNING*** The Variety article contains major spoilers!
Kristin Thompson of The Frodo Franchise Blog reports that "Variety‘s mostly enthusiastic review of the last Harry Potter film was posted today. One fault that the reviewer found was that the end was too perfunctory, comparing it unfavorably to the lengthier multiple endings of LOTR:"
But all good things must come to an end, and here that applies to not only the series as a whole but also the very real and very dark magic “Part 2″ manages to weave in its first 90 minutes. Of all the ways to dramatize the inevitable final faceoff, the filmmakers have chosen one that, while more cinematic than the novel’s version, feels unduly hastened, violates some fundamental rules of Rowling’s universe, and hands the Dark Lord’s pet snake rather too prominent a role. More to the point, the climax feels emotionally muted and disengaged, and its anemic execution would be forgivable only if the entire series had not been building to this moment.
While Yates’ economy is admirable, this is one picture that had every right to take its time and allow viewers the courtesy of a more ceremonious and protracted farewell. Fans of long-form blockbuster fantasy may find themselves yearning for the multiple endings of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings,” which grasped the wisdom of giving the public too much rather than not enough.
Kristin ends "Given how many critics complained about the supposedly drawn-out ending of the trilogy, it’s nice to see it getting some respect here. "