...Abra cadaver......

Rating: 5/10 (12 August 2007)

So many movies today are suffering from 'over-sequelitis' and this latest Harry Potter endeavor is no exception. Sorry if that offends all of you "Huge Fans of the Book and Why It Does or Doesn't Compare to the Movie" amateur critics.
In my view, the first one was great, and it's the only one that I have purchased for my DVD collection. The plot was interesting, the effects superior for the times, the main kid characters fresh and funny, the older actors brought seasoned skills to the project and it was just the right mix of all the elements to make it fun and worthwhile to watch. (Although I still don't understand why witches celebrate Christmas!) Subsequent installments left me progressively disinterested until, finally, this last one.....and it is THE last one that I will go to see even if another one is ever produced. I can't fathom someone spending $25. on a book then $8.50 to see the movie version, then trying to figure out how or why one is better or worse than the other, then coming to this venue, or some other, to express some profound pronouncements......of a Harry Potter comparison!!! Personally, I don't care about the books and how the films compare to them. I want to see a movie that can stand on it's own merits and production values, and this one, unfortunately, stands shakily. The kids aren't cute anymore, the plot has evolved beyond interest, there are no new effects added and, in short, it has become a stale, boring snoozefest. One of the few consistent bright spots in ANY of these films has been the older actors. I'm certain that any one of them could make the reading of a deli menu seem like Shakespeare.
Rent it on DVD when available and watch it if you've been troubled with insomnia. It will do the trick.