Main characters seem to go AWL...

Rating: 7/10 (20 July 2007)

(This is a review of the IMAX version, which has some 3D parts.)
The basic story arc of this latest installment in the Harry Potter franchise is the attempt by The Ministry of Magic to change the curriculum at Hogwarts' in order to prevent some sort of conspiracy against them. This involves the movie's Big Bad, Mrs Umbridge teaching a 'theoretical' course at Hogwarts, involving no learning of practical magic. Umbridge comes across as a cross between the Queen of England or ex P.M. Margaret Thatcher, crossed with Attila the Hun, and fuelled by a crystal meth suppositary somewhere it would be impolite of me to mention.
Our hero, Harry Potter, feeling this beaureaucratic meddling at Hogwarts to be a threat to the students' safety, takes matters into his own hands.
Daniel Radcliffe, playing Potter, seems to be growing too fast for this role. Perhaps future installments, requiring a more believable incarnation as the hero, could employ Ronnie Corbett as Potter.
The lovely Emma Watson, has less opportunity to be lovely in this movie than previously. She seems to be greying to fast for my liking. If Watson gets too greedy with pay demands, perhaps Germaine Greer could play Hermione in future Potter movies. Watson does steal a scene in the movie though...where she defends Potter's kissing standards to Ron Weasley.
Helena Bonham-Carter appears in this movie and hasn't looked so alluring since her star turn in the great "A room with a view".
And one girl, who apparently won a contest to appear in this movie, makes a good show as a dreamy girl who, like Harry, can see things others can't.
Now for why the IMAX version is the one to see, if you can. The height of the screen makes the viewing experience more immersive than even the new supersized suburban cinema screens. And the sound isn't as deafening as in those same suburban cinemas. Yet you get marvellous, floor shaking sound at IMAX (literally).
The 3d is astounding. Flying creatures seem to reach into your lap at times! However, apart from that scene, the 3D isn't as utilised as well as it could be...e.g.the setting concerning the location of a magical orb isn't as impressive as it could have been-if there had been more scenes as impressive as the one in which Harry's ride seems to jut out meters in front of the screen and very near you, it would have been more impressive. The IMAX 3D system is vastly superior though, to the awful red and blue glasses version, which just gives bad 3D and looks hyper-ugly on screen...the IMAX glasses look like sunglasses-they don't even seem to be blue, like I think I remember them being the last time I saw an IMAX 3D film, many years ago.
NOT having read any of the Potter books, I just wonder if the movie is true to the book-as old favourites like Hermione, Ron and Malfoyle seem to have very little to do in this movie.