Sorcerer grows well into teens and faces the dark side of self and enemies

Rating: 3/10 (14 July 2007)

Let's face it, the first two Potter films were great fun. Then, as Harry grows, he moves into a nasty pre-adulthood, and the fun really tapers off fast. At the rate his life spirals into the doom of becoming an adult, he'll end up on a psyco-sorcerer's couch for intense analysis. This film is dark and moody, with next to nothing to redeem it. The visuals, as usual, are stunning. But that's where the kudo's ended for me. The characters we've grown to love in the first couple films -- Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon et al -- receive far too little screen time. Even Gary Oldman, who is perhaps one of the finest actors in the business, doesn't get the screen time he deserves either. The kids look awkward nearly grown up, and the humor, what there is of it, is somewhat strained. In this edition, the baddie is back, and Ralph Fiennes, another fabulously gifted performer, does a fair job in his role, or what little there is of it. Even when he does appear, the makeup is so intense it smothers any hint of emotive effort. Harry tries to get everyone to believe Voldemort has returned, but few take his side as politics interferes -- a veiled pot shot at US involvement in their present war? Soon Harry starts to train his own recruits for a cataclysmic battle, which never really comes in its implied fullness. In fact, this film offers nothing conclusive whatsoever, except that there will be another one coming soon. To this I say, "turn up the lights, toss in some sparkle, add a little more humor, and let this kid grow group up without so many neurotic episodes to deal with.