could have been better

Rating: 6/10 (1 December 2005)

Okay-Yes it was a wonderful movie, but after that book it needed to be a fabulous movie. They cut it down to much, and removed/changed plot that now forever has to remain that way in the movies. Therefore, here is what I think: The portrayal of Dumbledore was way off. In this movie he was shaken and disturbed. In the books that does not occur (in the readers mind) until sometime in the fifth book. In the forth book, Dumbledore is still a solid rock for Harry to depend on.
The absence of many characters was upsetting to me including Dobby, Winkey, Molly Weasley, Ludo Bagman, the Dursleys, and Sirius.
The absence of Winkey and Dobby changed the plot including Harry's wand getting stolen (Winkey) and the development of S.P.E.W. (both Winkey and Dobby).
We missed the interactions between Molly and Harry which, I feel, is vital to part of the plot in Order of the Phoenix. Molly's relationship with Harry becomes more mother to son in each passing page of the series. By leaving her out of this movie, they have created a mistake that cannot be fixed. Molly and Harry do not share that time before the third task and after the graveyard. This time together brings their relationship to a height that it has not been before.
The absence of Sirius has changed his character. The audience is not made aware of the deep love and caring that Sirius has for Harry. I thought the scene with Sirius in the fire was awful in its accuracy of how the book was written. The book gives the impression of the head coming to the other side of the fire and speaking. This was not done correctly and it will be forced to remain like this in Order of the Phoenix, since Harry uses the fire to speak with Sirius. By Sirius not coming to the school we are not left with the impression that he will do anything for Harry, which is the case.
Ludo Bagman may only be a supporting character but his presence was important none the less. The removal of this character removed the plot with the twins getting the disappearing money, and Ron's grievance with Harry over not realizing that he has a Galleon missing that Ron paid him back with for the gifts at the match (since it was disappearing money also. The wealth difference between Harry and Ron is a sticking point for them and it always has been, it is actually an important part to the plot.
While I understand the reasoning for removing the Dursley's due to time constraints, the fact that the toffee does not get eaten by Dudley makes it so we never find out about Weasley's Wizard Weezes and the twins plans to open a joke shop.
I would rather sit in that movie theater for 8 hours to see the whole movie then watch a condensed 2.5 hour version of the movie. I am worried about the Order of the Phoenix movie since it is a long and involved book as well.