Worth seeing. Much better than the first three.

Rating: 8/10 (23 September 2006)

The Harry Potter books are wonderful. You should read them, no matter what age you are. I can pick any one of them up, open a page and start reading.
As for the movies, first one, dull and overcooked; second one, a bit better but still overcooked; third one, a bit better than the last one. Steve Kloves - writer, just wants to stuff everything in when more cutting is required. Thankfully, his script is much tighter in this one.
This movie is darker, edgier and much more satisfying. For a start, the kids are much better. In the first three they weren't very good. In fact, I would argue with people that they should replace Daniel Radcliffe as I thought he was bad to the point of distraction. Now I know they're young and I'm not expecting Haley Joel Osment here but just a little naturalness. But in this film they are all much improved. With the Yule ball and all that talk of hormones and the slowly growing love thing between Ron and Hermione, I thought it would be embarrassing but it was okay.
The movie was faithful to the book and the pace was very good. However, a few changes could have made to make this an excellent movie.
Firstly, Dumbledore is too angry and emotional. They're obviously trying to make it more dramatic but those who know him know he's actually quite a serene character nearly all the time. Thoughtful, wise and stately. Michael Gambon (The Cook, the thief, his wife, and her lover)is a good actor but he's still a bit short and round for the part.
They should have really cut down on the dragon scene. It's way too drawn out and unbelievable.
They should have buffed up the big resurrection scene (you know what I'm talking about). Not much sense of occasion here. This is THE absolutely huge event in the Potter series and all it is is a bunch of flashing lights and its over. Again, as in all the movies, a feeling of not knowing what to condense and what to expand. Where's the breeze rustling the leaves of the yule trees and the creepy build up? They could have really bought this home.
Ralph Fiennes' interpretation. I really like Fiennes and a lot of people praised his performance. But, like Dumbledore, they made him too emotional. He snarled and spat and screamed while his character is actually more calm, cold, intelligent and menacing. This guy is like a nutter escaped from an asylum. When I say Ralph's interpretation, maybe I should be saying Mike Newell's.
They should have cut Rita Skeeter. Not worth it. Loved Miranda Richardson in Black Adder. Maybe she should have played Professor Trelawney ... or Narcissa Malfoy. There's a thought.
Anyway, these are mostly criticism but it is only because the movie is already so entertaining and so satisfying that they rankle that bit more. As I speak they've already cast Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange - good job. They must have seen her sexy performance in 'Fight Club.'