OWL - Acceptable

Rating: 6/10 (12 July 2007)

I'm a huge fan of the books and so of course I had to see the movie. But it only rates an Acceptable. **spoilers ahead**
1. Harry gives up the prophecy?! Of course some content will be lost due to time and expense. The back story on the prophecy, the members of the order, the ministry rooms, etc... unavoidable but acceptable losses. But why would they have Harry give up the prophecy, especially to Malfoy? that was a mistake.
2. They lost the magic. There were so many opportunities to show the magic, the patronus against the dementors, the order's flight over the city, the phone booth, but the magic was put aside until the end. WTF?!
3. There was no music. Ya know, when the action is lagging, a little music helps. But I could actually feel my bottom getting tired of sitting for the first hour.
4. Wonderful actors with no lines. Aside from Sirius, everyone was an extra. That's ashame. A few expository lines from Bellatrix, or Lupin, or the Weasleys could have gone a long way to filling the potholes. For example when Arthur is walking Harry down the Ministry, a few lines for the viewers would have been helpful. Luna Lovegood was well portrayed and a pleasant surprise. Too much Umbridge, not enough Ron or Hermione.
Of course we fans will find flaws here and there. But as fans, we tend to be overly generous at times too. In this case, Acceptable is generous.