Best of the Rest

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2005)

I thought it was the best of all the movies so far. Probably because it can only get meatier now that they've reached the growing up, coming of age point. With the kids now teens and getting to do all that bumbling stuff over women that some of us can relate so much too.
I was glad to see my favourite HP character, the very familiar feeling and wonderfully named Ron Weasley getting more to work with and I'd actually agree holey with those whom may have felt that he started off from that first movie, at bit unsteady but with an excellent early gift for timing for one as young as he was. As the movies have gone on, he's really played on his strenghs and this movie has arguably gotten the best performance out of him yet. Same goes to the actors behind Harry and Hermione. I think Emma 'Hermione' Watson was always the strongest of the three right from the start but as time has gone on or be it catching up with them, the other two gradually developed more and more of a match to her. They had to raise their game a bit with this one and rose to the occasion.
It's also been a wonderful help, that the trio has always been surrounded by such a rock solid supporting cast and the bar was raised with them this time too, seeing some great new faces in tow. The eye guy, Mad Eye nearly stole the show, a brilliantly funny creation to marvel at. And yes, nice seeing the immortal Triggar of Only Fools & Horses, but actually you'll find he's been in many things, he's always been a great character actor so every time I see him, I rarely have to worry about whether I'll be half expecting an "ello Dave." The 'cracker' that is Hagrid had some lovely little moments too, loved his reply to Harry asking if he'd combed his hair, "As a matter of fact I have. You might want to try doing the same thing once and awhile." The great Alan Rickman ruled again as well with that ever so delicious delivery of his lines, the constant interrupting of Harry and Rons talk at lunch was comic gold.
The Villain front also made huge waves. It was excellent to finally see what Voldey looked like and I wasn't disappointed. He looked perfectly suitably creepy, as is fitting to a dark lord of that reputation after such extended build up. It was a great surprise to see how well cast he was, cause we all know how badly wrong those kind of shall we say theatrical heavy villains can go in the hands of lesser or legitably crazy in a bad way, actors. I supposed there was never reason to worry too much when in the capable hands of Ralph Fiennes. Just as impressive were his cronies. The rat like Wormtail in the form of the always reliable Timopthy Spaul and David Tennant with that incredible psychotic grin which made him such a visually good fit for the role of a certain iconic mad doctor were utterly freaky and suitably skin crawl inducing. The father of the bullying Malfoy has a wonderful Lex Luthorish slickness and sliminess to him. Speaking of his son however, he's never showed much of a presence to me, I've seen a long line of convincing bully characters in movies and I can't exactly put him up there with the greats, I'm afraid.
The ending was great with good meaning driving it forward. They managed well to get that sudden change in tone to come so naturally. I also thought that final scene was a very nice touch. The "things our never gonna be the same" and the "don't we ever get a quite year at Hogworts." It seemed a nice little way of balancing between being not too light and not too low a point to leave on. The first ones ending was the worst, far too sugar coated for my taste, although to be fair, it's naturally hard to work around it in the world of movies, considering the kiddie label that the series is branded with and ever valiantly fights to rise above. It sort of feels as though its evolved from the family films gendure. Like most of everything else, they've kinda gotten better with each new movie. They do seem to have now finally struck just the right balance.
Anyway brilliant movie, best of the rest.