The best so far...but still not quite perfect.

Rating: 8/10 (1 January 2006)

I had heard from many fans that this was the best of the series so far. After seeing it, I have to agree with them. It is definitely the best movie so far in the Potter series. The action scenes are well choreographed and the computer-generated imaging doesn't take away from the story or the effect. Radcliffe is starting to mature as an actor, though he still has some room to improve. Unfortunately there are a few points from keeping the film from being 'great'. Michael Gambon simply doesn't embody the spirit of Albus Dumbledore the way Richard Harris did. Emma Watson is a bit melodramatic in this film...it appears more like she's acting in a school play than an international blockbuster film. Lastly, (and this was very difficult to put my finger on for quite some time) since the movie was scored by Patrick Doyle (and not John Williams) it just isn't as strong. This movie is definitely a must-see for genre fans and movie fans in general. If the Potter franchise can work with Gambon and Watson and improve the musical score...the next installment 'Order of the Phoenix' might achieve the greatness that 'Goblet of Fire' just missed.