Very Good

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2006)

I first saw this movie in a movie theater, and then bought it on DVD. My husband and I were the first of our family to see this movie, to preview it for our children (ages 10 and 4). I'm a huge fan of the books, and highly recommend them to anyone who loves to watch a character grow through a series of novels. I have to write, first of all, that I miss Columbus as the director. His vision of Harry's world was beautiful. And that's probably the main issue with why Warner Brothers went with another director for these "darker" movies further on in the Harry Potter series. I also understand that Rowling really enjoyed how the director Newell crafted this movie, and agreed with what he had to cut out.
The primary scene I was looking forward to being adapted from the book was the quidditch match for the world cup. Overall, it was a short and sweet adaptation. But from that point on, you really just need to hold onto your seat/couch, as this movie takes off at super sonic pace. Again, where is the lovely banter between the characters? Where is the character development? Because of that same pace, that concern to pack into the movie as much of the story as possible, the director seems to have missed that central element of the Harry Potter franchise: the characters and their relationships to one another.
How will Harry and Dumbledore ever get together in terms of having their pivotal scenes in the latest book (Half Blood Prince)? How can anyone buy into these two characters growing with each other? We know Harry cares for Dumbledore and is loyal to him, but beyond that, do we even sense from the movies that Dumbledore cares more for him than any other student? This relationship is something that we know about from the books, and feel their bond so well due to Rowling and her craftsmanship. However, as far as the latest movies are concerned, we don't get that sense at all. And how about the 3 main relationships between Ron, Hermione and Harry? We rarely get to see that at all.
Another note: I have never shown the Voldemort scene (the one of his rebirth) to our children. Neither child is at the point where she could watch this scene and not come away from it with nightmares. I agree that it needed to be in the movie, but be forewarned. Children do not need to see this scene. Probably one scene I would have cut from the movie was the scene where Moody teaches his first class and manipulates a spider. It's gruesome and unnecessary. Especially if you view it repeatedly on DVD...which we have done, and we usually skip that scene as well, at the request of our children.
As Harry and this franchise ages, parents please be prepared. Some scenes will not be viewable by children, and parents should always preview these movies prior to letting their children view them. MPAA has rated this movie as PG-13 for a reason. And I'm sure each HP movie from this point on will have the same rating. As the fake Moody says, "Constant Vigilance!"
And from what I understand, Oldman will not be back for Order of the Pheonix. So, once again, how will moviegoers actually get to see Harry and his "father figure" Black interact with each other? Again, this is a pivotal relationship for Harry.
Overall, this movie is good. But it could have been far better with better editing. This movie wasn't seamless in the least.