Exciting story - brilliant special effects.

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2006)

After the last fiasco I was prepared for this, the second longest book, to be hacked about to the point of banality like Prisoner of Askaban. I needn't have worried. This was great. The young actors have improved beyond belief - clearly they are taking their opportunity seriously. The special effects are just amazing. It is not possible to choose a particular scene which is better than the rest since they are all just terrific. I did like the dragons, though, and Harry's chase with the Hungarian Horntale was spectacular. The entrance of the Beauxbatons and Darmstrang pupils was just brilliant as was the Quiddich World Cup. Of course, with a book this long and a three hour slot, some bits had to go but, unlike Prisoner of Askaban which literally 'lost the plot', Mike Newell managed the virtually impossible task of keeping the story on course. In short, its hard to pick a particularly outstanding bit as it was all outstanding. From beginning to end it bowled along at a breakneck speed and I exited the cinema three hours later wondering where the time had gone. Lets hope they get Mike back for the finale!