Better than Azkaban.....

Rating: 4/10 (8 December 2005)

I left my viewing of the Latest cinematic Adaption of J.K. Rowlings, Harry Potter series with mixed feelings, while the film overall was a vast improvement on Alfonso Cuaron's attempt it still lacked the magic the Rowling manages to weave in her books. As hard as it has been for me to accept the changes that have been made to the plot I understand that due to time restraints not everything can be included. What I'm not willing to accept is the horrible acting I was forced to sit through especially from Michael Gambon has the man even read the books? Rowling gives such a detailed description of Dumbledore's personality yet Gambon seems to struggle with the basics. Within the Books Dumbledore comes across as a caring man who even when angered is calm, in control and all knowing, yet Gambon's interpretation is far from the truth he comes across as a man who is easy to anger and generally reacts before he thinks usually with an unexpected and unnecessary outburst, for example was bashing Harry against the wall really necessary? It wasn't in the novel. I all I can say is I hope some where along the line direction is as much to blame as interpretation. As for the cast as a whole I believe only Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith can hold their heads high everybody else tried too hard.
As I mentioned in my summary the film is a improvement on the 3rd installment but only because it followed a similar order to the book, although I had read the 3rd book I found the film difficult to follow due to the lack of plot flow and detail. This Film showed some respect to the time that Rowling spent creating her world.
Another concern I have is they seem to be making each film to stand on there own, I'm finding it increasingly hard to see the connection between the films like there is with the books. There seems to be no consistency between the films which doesn't make sense considering there supposed to be a series.
To the fans of the series, maybe they'll get The Order of Phoenix right. To the general movie goer enjoy a film with a huge special effects budget but don't have high hopes if you after a good acting performance.