INTERVIEW: MATTHEW LEWIS ON "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2"

Matthew Lewis in Toronto - July 2011

"I'm not much of a Coffee drinker", he answers when probed about the truest test of Canadian Patriotism that is whether or not he has tried Tim Horton's Coffee. Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis' moment finally has arrived and Toronto was lucky enough to spend some time with the emerging talent.  The Leeds native is known best for his work in the $6,343,865,842 (to be exact) worldwide grossing franchise as a bumbling and underachieving Neville Longbottom.  It all ends in the final installment Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, but for Lewis this just might be the start.

Dressed simply in a Penguin Polo shirt, a Fred Perry Cardigan and Jeans, my initial impression of the 22 year-old is that he is an even mix of awkward, shy and poised.  He completely is unaware of his status as a Sex Symbol to those Fans who like him have grown into Adults this past decade seeing him on-screen with artificial mangled teeth and protruding ears. When the topic of him being a Breakout Star and the Fan-imposed label of "stud" were brought-up by one Journalist, the fair-skinned Actor became two shades of uneasy, blushing visibly to the eye.  "That makes me uncomfortable actually", he giggles.

Lewis looks back at the past ten years as a labour of love, confessing "I didn't go through the emotions that some of the others went through during filming. I didn't cry.". He does admit though, "It actually wasn't until the London Premiere (held last week in Trafalgar Square), that I realized this would be the last time. We have the best Fans in the World and I will miss presenting these Films to them.". And loyal these Fans have been to the Franchise - thousands upon thousands queued at the London landmark, some camping out three days to get close to the Cast. Although not quite as feverish, Toronto Fans likewise are excited, with Neville Longbottom and Matthew Lewis both trending on Twitter prior to his arrival in the City.

ENTER TO WIN 1 OF 2 "HARRY POTTER" PRIZE PACKS

Harry Potter Prize Packs!

Attention, Muggles! I'd like to give two lucky Readers these official Harry Potter Prize Packs which include: a size M "ONLY ONE CAN LIVE" T-Shirt, a Privet Drive Keychain and a "IT ALL ENDS" Magnet. 

To qualify for the win, you must:

1. Tell me the name of the Actor who terrified Matthew Lewis most while filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  Clue here.

2. Be a Follower of Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Twitter

3. Include your Twitter Username so I can get in touch with you should you win

Your deadline is August 1, 2011 - Contest is open to Canadian readers only. Good luck, Mugglenati!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 opens in theatres Friday, July 15, 2011 via Warner Bros.

MATTHEW LEWIS IN TORONTO FOR "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOW : PART 2"

Matthew Lewis in Toronto - July 2011

Handsome 21 year-old Thespian Matthew Lewis descended upon Toronto for the final installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  What many people don't realize about the Brit is that in his ten-year long role as the bumbling Neville Longbottom, he had worn prosthetic teeth in addition to plastic placements which made his ears protrude more than normal.  Wouldn't you agree that he in fact looks like a young Clive Owen dressed in black-on-black above?

It is estimated that hundreds of Fans who queued all day outside of MuchMusic and historic Casa Loma where he made appearances. Only some were lucky enough to get their Harry Potter memorabilia signed by Lewis as had was preoccupied with working his way through a long line of Media.

See more Eye Candy below:

"HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2" WORLD PREMIERE

Barry Meyer - Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros & Cast of Harry Potter

Fans camped-out as early as Tuesday at London's Trafalgar Square for their one final chance to meet the stars of Harry Potter on quite possibly one of the most elaborate Red Carpets ever!  Franchise Author J.K. Rowling and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter,  Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon graced the Carpet, greeting thousands of screaming Fans of the $6 billion-grossing series.

It all ends on July 13, 2011 when Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens in theatres.

Watch  the Red Carpet festivities here.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 REVIEW

Still from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is the latest installment in J.K. Rowland's massively popular adapted franchise and the third to be directed by David Yates. Although Fantasy isn't particularly a favoured genre of mine, even I was able to enjoy this one.

This first half of this final chapter has longtime Wizard friends Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) out to complete a deceased Dumbledore's mission and defeat the Dark Lord. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) now controls the Ministry of Magic and he is on a mission to kill Harry, who has managed to escape death time and again in previous installments. Overly-zealous Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange (Helen Bonham Carter) however, is both ambitious and evil, wanting to earn the honour of being Harry's slayer all her own.

Harry must locate the Sword of Gryffindor which he has inherited through Dumbledore. He believes it is situated in his hometown of Godric's Hollow, where his Parents died also. The Death Eaters who report to the Ministry of Magic, locate Harry and lead him back to Lord Voldemort.  Will Harry, Ron and Hermione be able to escape a doomed fate? And also, as the three of them journey away together, will unresolved issues in their ongoing Love Triangle prove self-destructive?

The ensemble of Grint, Watson and Radcliffe is wonderful, with Watson particularly attention-grabbing with her expressive eyes even where there is no dialogue.  Bonham Carter is absolutely terrifying in her villainous goodness, putting on what might possibly be a performance stronger than her already excellent work in Oscar contender The King's Speech.  And despite only doing Voice Work here, the impeccable Toby Jones as resourceful Elf Dobby, is wonderfully endearing and quite possibly tear-inducing.  Riveting CGI and an engaging story line make the two-plus hours here go by quickly, serving as a perfect build-up to next summer's ultime Finale.

Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 has a bit of something for everyone and if you aren't really that big a Harry Potter fan like me, it's still not too late to start.  The Film hits theatres November 19, 2010 and thank God, it's not in 3-D!  Grade: A-