Well done, though with some unforgivable flaws

Rating: 7/10 (17 December 2012)

Before watching this movie, I was absolutely terrified it would turn out like Prisoner of Azkaban - probably the most disappointing film EVER - but I was pleasantly surprised.
I want to start out by saying that this is the first film that takes a darker feel to it, one that is definitely enjoyable. The special effects were amazing and generally speaking I enjoyed it tremendously! There are some problems when it comes to scene cuts and many scenes are left hanging. One example is the Quiddich World Cup scene: one moment we're watching the presentation of the playing teams; the next Harry and the rest are back in their tent and the Death Eaters are about to create chaos among the campers. When I watched the film in the theater, it took me a few long confusing seconds to understand what had really happened and what scene of the book was being portrayed. My first thought was "Is this really all we're getting to see from the World Cup?" - Disappointing, yet it is understandable that in a movie adaption, many scenes if not most have to go.
But many important parts were not even mentioned: Winky, the house elf; Hermione discovering Rita Skeeter as an animagus; Harry's money prize and how he gave it to Fred and George for them to use in their shop (which should have been mentioned as well), Ludo Bagman and more. None of these scenes may not have been crucial to plot development, but by not mentioning them the movie has turned into a very chopped up version of the book. As an adaption of such a huge book, the film is way too short. I think, for example, that instead of exaggerating the dragon scene, they could have kept it closer to the book and dedicate those wasted minutes to something more interesting and important.