Potter really does grow up!

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2007)

I had the usual expectations and excitement of a new Harry Potter movie, although I knew that a lot of the moments from the book are usually done away with. This film is spot on and much darker than all of the other films. There is less emphasis on out and out action and more story-telling moments, such as Luna and Harry's meeting with the Thestrals in which Luna explains why Harry and she can see them. Evanna is absolutely spot on in the film and embodies the idea of the character being slightly unusual but friendly and genuine nevertheless. For me, she was not in the film long enough and you wanted to get more about the character simply from meeting her.
Other regulars are equally as good. Emma Thompson was wonderful as the unhappy Trelawney who gets bullied by Imelda Staunton's ruthless dictator and bully Umbridge. Rickman does wonderfully as Snape, revealing why he hates Harry so much (because Harry's father bullied him at school) and is particularly delightful in the subtly done Occlumency scenes which I thought wouldn't have got into the film (although there is less airtime given to them). Other scenes that work particularly well and add layer include Harry's detentions and the reveals to Umbridge's boo-hiss sneering and chuckling. In fact, Staunton is brilliant. You just want to hate her character so much, which is precisely the point.
Other parts continue to shine as well. Michael Gambon starts to show an accustomed vulnerability and agedness to Dumbledore which lines him up for the character's later films. He has a much more detached relationship with Harry in this film as per the book.
And where would Harry Potter be without Hermione and Ron? Well, both do excellently, trying to show the differences between the three and the similarities. All three work very well together and continue to show both gravity and layers beyond their childhood years to their acting. Also, Neville Longbottom is given more to do beyond the usual fooling about of previous films. We get to discover why his parents aren't around anymore and his animosity towards one of Sirius Black's family, the utterly mad and bad Bellatrix LeStrange, played wonderfully by Helena Bonham Carter (although I can't help wondering what Helen McCrory would have been like in the role).
All in all, superb film and lots to watch and be amazed by the wonderful set designs and details. Certainly bears a second viewing to take in the bits you missed.