Too far removed from the book

Rating: 4/10 (27 November 2005)

I should preface my review by telling you I have read and own all of the books, and have seen all the other movies in the theaters, and purchased the DVDs for my collection.
I was so disappointed, I nearly walked out of the film. The fundamental personalities of some of the main characters were completely off. For example, they had Professor Dumbledore shouting repeatedly to quiet the students in main hall so he could speak. Complete characters who were absolutely pivotal to the plot in the book were not included in the screenplay, and others written in.
Then I found this comment here in the IMDb about the director's adaptation of the book, "Mike Newell decided against the studio's original idea of adapting the 734 page book into two separate films to be released several months apart, figuring that he could cut enough of the book's bulky subplots to make a workable film."
In cutting the "bulky subplots" he has cut much of the heart and soul of the book from the film. I am at a loss.. cannot understand why such a successful series of books and films has taken such a departure.
I wonder if the studio would consider going back, using their original choice of a director, Alfonso Cuarón, director of the Prisoner of Azkaban, and filming it properly, in 2 full length features?