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Rating: 7/10 (18 July 2007)

I've seen it twice, now, and love it. It's not my favorite, but might be my second-favorite. I'm not sure if it's because I liked this book better than GOF, or the direction, but I enjoyed it more. This one actually felt like the first three, unlike Goblet. Even with the darkness of the film, I loved so much more about it than Goblet. It might be that I just didn't like that story, and this one calls to me much more.
Good -
I cried the first moment they showed Sirius. And Sirius calling Harry James during the battle? That moment was possibly my favorite moment of the film. And I really enjoyed it, so that's saying a lot. It was just so perfect. Especially the look on Harry's face.
Umbridge was perfect, if completely evil. She pulled it off perfectly. It was so easy to hate her. Minerva facing off against her--she might have had to back down, but I loved both their scenes together.
DA scenes were incredible. Particularly the Patronus scene. And Neville growing up and strong! I missed not meeting his parents, but I think the replacement worked well.
The endgame at Hogwarts was lovely. Particularly Snape's reaction to Harry's outburst, though I would have liked some more evidence that he went to tell the Order Umbridge being taken by the Centaurs...hoisted on her own petardby both Harry and the Centaurs. Anyone says that she didn't deserve it doesn't get just how horrific she was. I do have one complaint, though. Was it really unimportant that Umbridge sent the Dementors after Harry? I would have liked to have heard her mutter it, at least.
Bella was good, though even after two showings, I still can't quite get a grasp of her. I did like the moment of Lucius/Bella there, when he was telling Harry how kids could never stand up to Death Eaters, though. And the beatific grin on her face when Voldemort started whispering to Harry was perfect.
The fights at the Ministry were well-done. And if it hadn't been Gambon, I would have loved the fight between DD and Voldy. Did anyone else actually believe his blather to Harry afterwards about loving him? His lines came off so stiff
Not so good -
My biggest complaint with this movie has to do with Draco -- not only did he not get enough screen time, but they also didn't show the Death Eaters' arrest, and he didn't threaten Harry at the end. It's vital for his character development in the next movie. After Harry and Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville, Draco's the next-most important kid in the series. By this point, we need to see more than this cardboard cut-out. I don't know its a script problem, or a directing problem, or an acting problem (no, I don't particularly like Tom.), but if this is the Draco we get in the next film, I probably won't see the last.
Sure, it's more dramatic to have the Dementor attack in a tunnelbut honestlydid they think we wouldn't remember that that playground was a lot closer to Privet Drive in POA? Not to mention that it was surrounded by HOUSES And while I'm on that scene, did the actor who plays Dud really think that worked? He looked like the Dementors had been successful in their attack.
Quidditch  surely Rupert's got to feel a bit left-out by now? That was Ron's biggest development in the whole series! And the fight! And Harry and the twins being banned from playing ever again! And Umbridge taking their brooms! And a whole major Draco sequence taken out there
With Trelawney, where was the explanation that it was her who gave the prophesy? We missed several details because of it was done. Like Neville being the almost-boy-who-lived, or that it was overheard by someone.
The point of the Occlumency lessons wasn't to learn how to break into Snape's mind. Harry was supposed to be keeping Snape from breaking into his own. Which he failed to do. But still, that's hardly a reason to stop. We needed the Pensieve so that we could see that even hero Harry can sometimes be in the wrong.
I'm sorry, but I can't be okay with how Cho's role changed. Made her far too sympathetic. Where was the crying? It's going to make no sense for Harry and co to still be avoiding her in the next movie.
Twinsseemed a bit wooden in this one. Yes, we got WWW, and the scene with them leaving Filch the doctored candy was lovely, butI wasn't feeling them this time. I will say I loved the scene where they left, though. The firework dragon managed to hold up against the memory of the one in LOTR. And the Decrees all falling off the wall? Perfect! I also thought Harry collapsing in the middle of the twins escape worked quite well for moving things forward.
Bella did not use AK on Sirius in the book. She actually used red spell. The only red spell JK has mentioned was the stunning spell. She's made a point of mentioning it, in fact. But the death itself?Remus holding Harry back was just a heartstring puller. Yes, I cried. Even if they did do the death wrong.
Good movie. I do recommend it. More than GOF.