Music Matters

Rating: 5/10 (29 July 2007)

Perhaps with Book 7 coming out a couple of weeks later, I never really was excited about this film. However, when I finally did see it I was pleased with some parts and very disappointed with others.
On the positive side, the director did instruct Michael Gambon better this time and while I still don't really like him in the role of Albus Dumbledore, the performance was an improvement over the last film. Imelda Stanton was absolutely perfect as Umbridge - she almost looked like a pink toad - and the cats were wonderful.
Also, aspects of the books that had been ignored were returned to this book. Only Harry would call the Dark Lord, Voldemort. EVERY one else called him 'You Know Who'.
Another positive was the exit of the twins which had to be spectacular though I did miss the swamp. A bit earlier than in the book but I felt that as long as every one stays in character, a bit of change to the story is acceptable.
However, I am not sure that someone who has not read the book would truly have been able to understand the film. Like Book 4's film, it felt somewhat disjointed. Knowing that the upcoming films are getting more intense, it is probably time to accept that the only people seeing the films will have to have read the books.
The one thing I felt didn't help the film was the music. Because Books 1 - 3 were filmed with John Williams' music, a high standard had been set. Patrick Doyle was OK enough for the 4th film and I am willing to listen to the soundtrack album. However, the music for this film was just plain bad. It came in too bombastic in places with no direction. There was nothing about it that would make me want to listen to it again and again (I am a soundtracks buff so I do listen to a lot of movie soundtracks). It did not move me in anyway and for the first time in a very long time I left during the end credits. It just did not impress me at all.
There are many films that have done poorly that might have done better with different music. With the high standard already set for the Harry Potter series, they may want to return to bigger named composers.