Older and even darker

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2007)

I thought the last two installments of the Potter films had been dark, but none, to include the fan-favorite 3rd film, has been this dark or this good.
I have seen many paid-critic reviews that are negative, asking where the "magic" had gone. Where the wonder had gone. Hello, but Harry is now in the years when childhood innocence has been replaced by teen angst. Harry is finding Hogwarts, and life in general, darker and more complicated; where friends are harder to find and enemies seemingly around every corner.
The character study this time around in regard to Harry is captured beautifully by Ratcliff. His acting talent has grown and matured through the years/films. A lot of the interacting between the three leads can be attributed to director David Yates. There is not as much fantasy this go around. In its place is a lot of drama, drama that comes with getting older and drama from the dangers that exist for Harry. Yates has brought about a reality in all the fantasy and it is exhibited the most (and best) in the relationship between the three leads.
Finally we get to see Dumbledore in action and he shows why he is the headmaster at Hogwarts. Also, we get more of Snape this time around, to include more back story on him. Both of these characters have been dismissed in the movies, in my opinion. Luscious Malfoy is more of a presence, again, something I have longed for since he was introduced in the 2nd film. Draco continues to be a throw-a-way character, but more so than any of the films since the 2nd, characters that I actually have been intrigued with are finally being fleshed out and/or given more time.
You can't throw praise to the film without mentioning Imedla Staunton's "Deloris Umbridge". Her character is fantastic! She makes you want to go through the screen and shake the pink out of her!
Ralph Fiennes' Voldermort has about as much time as he had in Goblet of Fire. I can't wait to see him get even more time in the upcoming chapters.
I absolutely loved Evanna Lynch's wispy "Luna Lovegood". Her character, in my opinion, has more of a spark on screen with Ratcliff's "Harry Potter" than the one being forced with Katie Leung's "Cho Chang". Lynch and Ratcliff, to me, seemed to have far more chemistry than anything shown between he and Katie Leung. I am not familiar with the books, so I am not sure how these relationships are handled, but on film, to me, there is just no chemistry going on with Harry and Cho but overflowing between Harry and Luna.
Of all the films, I think this one probably requires a more vested interest in the characters. If you do not care for them, then all the goings on will be a bit boring to you. There isn't as much action or whimsy to entertain. Instead, there is a deeper understanding and reflection on Harry and his struggle with the mantle he was born to ascend to. For those not interested in that, this chapter may not be to your liking.
Great job, can't wait for the next chapter.