The final fight

[Andy R Marshall]

I agree. The ending was rather weak. My g/f is doing a paper the last book for a college class (don't ask me how that happens). She used the scene between harry and big-V to kick the paper off and at the time I didnt realize it was a quote.
I remember saying, "Um, I think you can write better than this. This is kinda weak and runs on in one long, boring sentence."
"But it's a quote."
"Oh... OHHH! Now I remember why I thought the ending was weak."

[Marvolo]

Originally Posted by lamanna

I think there was good reason for the Harry-Voldemort fight being short. In my opinion I don't think a long battle would have made sense. Harry has never been magically powerful like Dumbledore or Voldemort. He could never match Voldemort in a duel based on magical skill alone. I think the final fight reminds us of this. Harry was up against the 'most powerful wizard of all time' and had no apparent powerful magical skills, so it took something extraordinary(elder wand's allegiance) to defeat him.

Harry outsmarted him, and that is why the fight was so satisfying to me. But, on a even keel, toe to toe, Harry Potter has absolutely no chance against Voldemort. I was never expecting an actual duel. I was expecting Harry to die and stay dead honestly. I liked it. I even liked the epilogue.

[Giovanna Clairval]

The scene was weak, in my opinion, too. It lacked tension (apart from the moment in which Draco's mum is about to check if Harry is dead).

She can be more inspired than that. Besides the "I liked/didn't like", legitimate reactions for a reader, if I put my critiquer's hat on, I'd say that she can write much, much better.

[KiwiBird]

Actually the final fight was okay, longer then that would have been unrealistic, and very hollywood'esc = bad. I know you all probably are dissapointed because you did not get to see a Dumby/Voldy like duel, but to me that would have made it bad. This seemed more real (despite the fact that everyhting seemed to fall into place rather easily.) The duel lies more in their previous actions and the words spoken.

It is clear Harry aint that magically gifted as Dumby or Voldy, but how many are? That said, he is above mediocare. To me he is most definitely among the more talented wizards, only there is talent and there is talent.

[dekket]

I always thought that Voldemort was defeated by his failing to understand the nature of the Elder wand, and wands in general. He was the mightiest wizard in history, but his power and ability made him arrogant.
Harry survived because he understood and accepted nature of the magic, even though he was nowhere near as powerful as his opponent.
It was a case of Brawn vs Brains.

[PTeppic]

Originally Posted by dekket

It was a case of Brawn vs Brains.

Quite so, and if the Brains don't use them very early on they'll get pounded by the Brawn. Which inevitably means a short "fight". Unless Voldemort was intending to toy with Harry, i.e. torture and/or humiliate him in front of everyone, then he would inevitably use Avadra Kedavra and just get it over with. Like a bully going for a right-hook to the face (or in other places, a .45 to the heart and/or forehead). For Brains to win means a quick win... though no doubt we'll see it slowed down and played out in the movie...