Miscatsing and awful performances sink a potentially fine adaptation

Rating: 5/10 (3 January 2006)

I must say that I think this movie is definitely better than the worst HP movie (Chamber of Secrets), but overall still flops.
*** POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD *** I think this may be the best adapted HP movie, in that it doesn't feel haphazardly thrown together, like the last two seemed at times. The adaptation is actually done well, making the 750+ page novel into a workable 2.5 hour film, good enough for non-readers. But lets be honest, how many people who see the HP movies aren't familiar with the books? Some stupid changes from the book are: 1) The utterly pointless changing of the seats Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys have for the Quidditch World Cup. I fail to see any reason for this change, but I guess it's nitpicking. 2) The complete rewrite of the role in the plot played by Barty Crouch Jr. I understand the need to trim from the intricate plot, but this was a poor decision IMO. 3) The undercutting of the famous "veritiserum" chapter. Nothing explained, nothing settled. Also, Dunmbledore acting EXTREMELY out of character, not to mention the fact that the film doesn't even try to set up the struggle between Dumbledore and the Ministry which is a central theme in Order of the Phoenix. 4) This is just a personal irk, but the whole tongue flicking from Crouch Jr was extremely stupid and campy.
However, I feel the biggest flaw this film has is RAMPANT and FLAGRANT miscasting and poor performances. The number of poor casting decisions are numerous: Madam MAxime, Karkarov, Moody and Crouch Sr, all are poor casting decisions, because they neither act nor look like how Rowling describes them. Crouch Sr is almost a parody of Stan LAurel, a far cry from the character Rowling created.
Poor performances include the list above. Moody is the least worst of the bunch, but he still is fat and bald, two things Rowling's Moody was not. Also, the horrific performance of Wormtail continues to be offensive, as he is neither sniveling, or groveling enough, far too eager to help Violdemort, not at all seeming as though he is afraid of his actions results. IN the scene where Voldemort is reborn, the gusto with which Wormtail performs the dark ceremony is so far out of character, it's stomach-churning.
However, the absolute worst performance in the film is the travesty perpetrated by Michael Gambon. I was skeptical of his replacing the late Richard HArris (who seemed like Rowling created Dumbledore with him in mind) in PoA, but he didn't offend too much in that film. However, the performance here of a rattled, screaming, confused Dumbledore, ready to throw Crouch Jr to the Dementors is so far removed form the actual character that I could not stand it. Gambon is an amazing actor, but he is NOT the actor for this role. His performance is so offensive, I found myself wanting to scream during the film.
That said, Radcliffe, Grint and Watson do amazing jobs. And Dame Maggie Smith as always, is amazing.
Another problem I have with this film is the pace feels very frenzied, particularly when it comes to Voldemort. While I feel Ralph Fiennes in general did a fine job in his performance, he was nowhere near as cold or as bored as Rowling describes Voldemort. And the opening sequence, is beyond frenetic and if you blink, you'll miss it. Also, where were all the Death Eaters? I seem like I'm complaining a lot, but I did like this film overall, but it only barely manages to overcome it's flaws.