Decent movie, but be prepared to be upset if you were looking for a strict version of book

Rating: 7/10 (18 November 2005)

Harry Potter has finally come onto the silver screen for its fourth incarnation. From a strictly cinematic perspective, this was a fairly decent movie. I definitely has come a long way from Sorcerer's Stone in that this movie is much more adult. It has many scenes that could be considered too dark or scary for the typical under ten year old viewer. The cinematography is excellent though, with a brilliant combination of both set and cgi shots.
Now, I know that I am going to come off as a book snob as I write this, so get the badgering out of your system. This movie deviates on so many levels from the story it is atrocious. Many scenes are cut, including the entire beginning with the Dursleys. A crucial part of the story, about the plot to kill Harry, involves a character who isn't even supposed to really be introduced until very late in the story. Also many visual aspects are not as how they are described. All in all, these really will only affect you if you have diligently read the book, and have certain expectations already in place as to how the movie is supposed to play out.
Go and see it for yourself, but know now that this artistic work stands on its own, with only its skeletal story taken from the book itself.