A very enjoyable movie

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2007)

Finally, after the failure of Goblet of Fire, another good Potter-movie! First of all I'm not a huge fan of the fifth book: too long, especially in the first part; too much elements and a little sense of boring during the reading. So I came to the cinema yesterday night without great expectations and...surprise I saw a really good picture. What I like: 1) The new characters: Dolores Umbridge, Luna Lovegood and Bellatrix Lestrange are absolutely fantastic in this movie adaptation: especially Brenda Blethyn did a wonderful job with her acting. 2) The screenplay: the first, boring part was cut off and this choice is really good for the rhythm of the entire movie. 3) Daniel Radcliffe: this young actor improves his acting movie after movie and the scenes of the nightmares and of the Voldemort's possession are absolutely terrific! 4) The atmosphere: finally a really dark, scaring harry Potter movie; Harry's nightmares, Dementors first attacks are only a few scenes that can create, during the movie, the sensation that now the childhood is over and that a really, cruel wizard world is going to begin. What I dislike: 1) Cho Chang's story: too short; it's not clear how she felt in love with Harry and the reason of their kissing. Plus, the reasons of their breaking aren't so exhaustive as in the books. 2) Grop: generally I appreciate the special effects in this movie but Hagrid's brother is really too false to seem real. Isn't impossible to choose a real actor and make him appear bigger than the other characters ? Doesn't Lord of the Rings movies teach anything about these technique ? 3) The Story of Neville Longbottom: yes, his role is getting bigger and bigger in every movie but the book was able to create a sense of big suspicion regarding this boy (what if was Longbottom the boy of prophecy?), in the movie there isn't no words about that. What a shame! But these lacks doesn't change my review; I went out the cinema really enthusiastic. It was fun, it was scary, it was intriguing. Best Potter's movie with the Prisoner of Azkaban