This is the best of the Harry Potter films yet

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2007)

Part five of the enormously popular Harry Potter machine has kicked off today and it does not disappoint. If you've seen the other 4 films that is. But if you're somebody who likes watching event films, regardless of continuity, then this is the film for you as well.
The story, like the previous 4 films, captured the essence of the books. That's definitely saying a lot due to the volume of the actual book. Sure, the writers had to take some of the subplots out and even added a few of their own in the story, but all in all, it didn't take anything away from the Harry Potter nostalgia. I loved seeing Tonks, Kreacher, Grawp, the Thestrals, Luna Lovegood, Bellatrix Lestrange and of course, Dolores Umbridge for the first time. And even if I've read the books more than once, it's still fun to see the story unfold on the big screen.
In the acting department, the kids definitely have more than improved. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter has shown more depth to the character. Gone is the bright eyed Harry that we've seen and read in book one and in comes the dark, troubled, and distant Harry. It's definitely a taste of things to come in the eventual 7th and final film. Evanna Lynch aka Luna "Looney" Lovegood did a commendable performance as well. All I liked about Looney, Ms.Lynch got right through her weirdness, her blunt honesty, and her carefree nature. But the actor that took the show away without a doubt would be Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge. Ms.Staunton had Umbridge, who is by far my most hated character of all the Potter Universe, down pat. To say she aced this role is an understatement. I absolutely despised her. Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, although shown briefly, did a great job as well. The rest of the adults, true to form, showed their consistent acting prowess. Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore, Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall and of course, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black did their parts like it was written for them almost 10 years ago when J.K.Rowling thought about the Harry Potter universe while waiting at the train station.
The effects, as expected from an event movie like this, is up to snuff. From the Thestrals which could be seen only by people who has encountered death, to Tonks' color changing hair, from Kreacher's mumbling to Grawp's grunting, from the basic wand flicking done by the students of Hogwarts up till the eventual Voldemort vs Dumbledore finale, whatever you thought of in your mind while reading the book, the effects wizards made it happen.
Having said all of that, this is the best of the Harry Potter films yet. It's worth every minute. Just make sure to be patient with people who know nothing about the series and tell them that you'll explain everything after the flick. Nobody likes to hear chattering while watching a movie.