Given that the majority of movies has a happy ending (which can often feel forced as a result of sticking to a formula) I personally feel that breaking with that tradition (outside of genres that often go for downer endings line horror) is refreshing and can make a movie a lot more memorable.
To each their own, of course, but I'll be happy if the movie sticks closer to the books. There's a powerful lesson and symbolism in there that I hope stays preserved on the big screen.