What a movie! They did it again!

Rating: Null/10 (15 November 2002)

They have once again captured the ...well magic (really, no pun intended ;oD) of Harry Potter. I think it was WELL worth the trouble of seeing an advanced screening last night (Thursday, November 15)because I was shocked and pleased at the performances once again.
Daniel Radcliffe (harry) has grown up quite a bit since seeing him last and now is startling, what with the same eyes but the voice of a man. Rupert Grint's (ron) voice what changing through the film and I can tell he had quite a bit of trouble with some lines (especially where asked to show fear). Emma Watson's (hermione) hair has turned back to her natural dirty blonde state...with more of a perm than before. Her acting skills have greatly increased, but I think she overdid it a lot. In several scenes there were tears in her eyes...some where they would be unexpected. Richard Harris did an EXCELLENT job in his last performance as Albus Dumbledore (Rest his soul).
Alan Rickman(Prof. Severus Snape), however, was less scary and poised and more freaking out, unorganized and less certain with himself. Kenneth Branagh did an splendid job as Prof. Gilderoy Lockheart, the new defense against the dark arts teacher. He seemed to BECOME his character.
Christian Coulson (Tom Riddle), well, lets just say he's a perfect match.
And enter Jason Isaacs (Lucious Malfoy)...PERFECTLY cast and just as stuck up as the books make him. Dobby, however is taller than I imagined him, sweeter, but the special effects for him are unblemished.
Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) was A LOT more scary in this one and he too has grown!!!
I don't think the music was as good, however. With William Ross, there's just not the level of standards. For some reason, however, I didn't see him accredited in the movie. Hummm..... anyways, it sounds like a broken record sometimes (playing the same verse over and over again like 5 times until moving on) and becomes a little annoying
SEMI SPOILERS************************
Frankly, I think the sword really ruined it a little. It seemed cheap and flimsy and with Daniel sporting it, well he just lost his innocence in my eyes. He didn't seem a young boy playing against the odds.
There are LOADS more to tell about this movie, but I'll cut to the chase. It was worth it, every second of it and I can't wait to see the next one.