A lot more scarier

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 2007)

I don't think the film is any darker than the others in the series. The overall story was dark to begin with, Harry's parents being killed by Voldemort and then Voldemort trying to kill Harry, who was a baby at the time. The film is a lot more scarier and I found myself jumping a lot in this film, unlike the other gentler movies.
One of the key differences is that we see a popular student die at the end and we have watched him from the beginning and it is shocking the manner in which he is killed, very quickly and without any remorse. Another difference is the film ends on a cliffhanger, where Voldemort becomes powerful again and is now back to lead his followers. In the past films, there has been a resolution to the story and the audience has gone away happy but in this one, it is a very unhappy ending and we have to wait to the next one to see if Voldemort is defeated. Lucky for me, I have heard the books so I know there will be no happy conclusion for another few movies.
I have to agree with one of the reviewers that the scene where Dumbledore grabs Harry violently is totally out of character for him, as up to this point, we have see him as a kindly old grandfather figure who has always been gentle with Harry. It just doesn't sit right with what the audience have seen in the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore in the past.
The new character introduced in the film, Mad eye Moody played by Brendan Gleeson is brilliant, it was good casting and he works really well with how I pictured Mad eye Moody from reading the book.
The film explores what its like for the younger characters in their teens. One is the awkwardness of fancing someone and having to ask them out and either being accepted or rejected. Harry has a crush on Cho Chang but is rejected by the girl of his dreams for the popular Diggory and has to settle for one of his classmates. Ron and Hermione's relationship develops from one of friendship to something a lot deeper. This film explores more about how they feel uncomfortable around one another because of their feelings but won't admit to each other how much they care. In the last two films, this was only hinted at. The other problem that plaques teens is appearance. Case in point, Ron wearing an old fashioned wizard cloak and feeling embarrassment that he is the only one to be dressed this way.
There is also an appearance from the future Doctor Who David Tennant, he plays a nasty piece of work in this.
I can't wait for the next film to see how it differs from the book.