This is why content should not be removed for Cinema releases...

Rating: 5/10 (30 July 2007)

The Film started quickly and badly and also ended that way. The story was a poor parody of the film and missed out many key plot developments and the characters which brought them about.
It Begins with Dudders taunting Harry, In the Book he only does this in private to him and otherwise is scared of Harry. Harry also whips his wand out in front of Dudley's friends, which he is smart enough not to do in front of muggles. It is also in this scene I noticed Harry wearing converse, and converse continue to crop up throughout the entire film both on and off actor's feet. Maybe some kind of sell-out marketing deal by Warner Brothers? We'll never know. The Dementor attack, originally in an alleyway, features a formless patronus charm by Harry and a different appearance for the Dementors to that of the third Film. Mrs Figg lacked the aggression she should have had in the scene and Mundungus Fletcher failed to be mentioned (Unlike Kreacher, he was cut despite the difficulties it could create in the last film's adaptation).
The commotion at Privet drive was also skipped, including (annoyingly) Petunia's knowledge of Dementors and the howler she should have got from Dumbledore, instead, Harry was not told to leave home and the only howler was from the Ministry to him (quite unlike an official letter to inform Harry he was to be expelled). The Advanced Guard was a few wizards and witches short and ultimately flew straight through the Capital, when in the book Moody was very set on avoiding traveling where they could be seen easily and put a disillusionment charm on Harry as a further precaution.
Moving on past this, the pacing of events is immediately terrible. The time spent at Grimmauld place is very short lived and devoid of Phineas Nigellus and Mrs Black, though Kreacher's appearance was welcome. The scene on the Hogwarts Express and the recognition of Sirius by Lucius Malfoy (not to mention Ron and Hermione becoming Prefects) was all left out, but the narrative of Sirius being hunted was almost entirely skipped and the introduction of Luna was relocated to include the Threstrals as well.
One very outstanding mistake is a recent Ordinary Boy's song being played in the background of a scene at Hogwarts. Seeing as this film ought to be taking place 12 years ago. A few of the D.A.'s spells had the wrong effects as well.
However, the new characters of Luna Lovegood and Dolores Umbridge were portrayed remarkably well, stealing the scenes they wound up in whether they ought to have happened or not.
Harry's relationship with Cho Chang is also cut down hideously to a stolen kiss and loss of interest when she is substituted in for her friend Marietta as the "sneak" in Dumbledore's Army. Ginny Weasley's Character development is similarly cut short, as the book featured contrasts between her and Cho, foretelling her eventual relationship and Family with Harry.
Like the fourth film, House Elfs were given a miss. The SPEW organization was omitted from The Goblet of Fire and still in The Order of the Phoenix, as was the Part played by Dobby in finding the room of requirement for the DA. It seems as if poor Winky will never find the Big Screen! When reading the book I always imagined the O.W.L.s to be said Owls, feeling that saying the letters like that is impractical. Talking of which, the Weasley twin's escape was completely wrong, the Fireworks were meant to not go out but fly around the school for hours, causing increasing chaos when attempts were made to remove them. The Twins were also meant to only get on there Brooms after confronting Umbridge and the Film left out their swamp, which always stuck in my mind as important. The technicality of Ron, Hermione and Ginny riding Threstrals never cropped up, though they didn't complain too much in the book. I also missed their entry into the Ministry itself, where in the book they are issued with Guest badges stating that they are on a rescue mission.
The Department of Mysteries, however lacking in Brains as it was, had the best parts of the film. The Room of Prophecies may have lacked continuity, but the action was to the book and very good. Yates's realization of magical dueling was magical, yet, the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort was good, but did not meet up to the book. Dumbledore is not so powerful that he can block Avada Kedavra! His use of the Statues in the Atrium and Fawkes's regenerative ability to protect Himself and Harry reflected the qualities of person he had that Voldemort had not, compassion for all magical creatures. They also used apparition extensively while dueling in the book, though the conjuration of powerful magic wordlessly in the duel is magnificent.
After the Climax, the Film ended abruptly, without the Dumbledore explaining everything to Harry, or even Kreacher's betrayal. I was expecting Harry to interrogate Nearly Headless Nick about Ghosts after talking to Luna at the end, but it ended without stopping at the last two chapters it seems.
I suppose they do have time restrictions and this is the largest book of the series after all, but I wouldn't complain if they could at least release extended versions of the Film on DVD. Hopefully the last two films will be better, the continuity errors can be blamed on rushed production, but I've read the 7th book, and I'll be deeply offended if they cut ANY of that book.
Despite my Whining, it IS a Harry Potter Film and has a cream of fine British Actors at its disposal.