Shame, shame, shame...

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2004)

All in all, I would give this movie 4 stars (out of 5) if taken by itself. Compared to the first two, I would give it only 3 stars. Now here is why...
OK, I just saw the movie and I was pretty disappointed. Taken by itself, it wasn't bad and there were several scenes/parts that were entertaining (i.e. I don't feel like I wasted my money so that's good). But, unlike the first two movies which I enjoyed seeing multiple times, this one I don't think I will.
First, like many others, I feel the movie moved too much away from the book.
And, I was disappointed in how much they changed the feel of Hogwart's (including the grounds and Hagrid's hut). When making a series of movies, audiences will expect certain things to remain constant, and by changing so much I didn't feel like I was "back with Harry" on the next adventure.
By having the first two movies set the atmosphere, I've read the last few books imagining Hogwart's and the characters in certain ways and with particular mannerisms. Now, when I see this one I am left feeling disappointed.
I wasn't terribly thrilled with the dementors, either (since they are supposed to float/glide, not FLY and they don't freeze stuff), although I feel they did an excellent job with Buckbeak. It also took me awhile to accept the characters since the actors have aged more than the characters, but after a bit I didn't notice it anymore. The portrayal of Black was a bit over the edge and Pettigrew was not done well at all. I realize with a new actor as Dumbledoor there will be differences, but even the other teachers seemed different (except for Snape!). Malfoy went from being an arrogant beast to a sniveling creep, which in my opinion wasn't a good decision.
The dark and artistic vision others have talked about was annoying to me. I realize this is a "darker" story, but since the series was originally supposed to be for children and young teenagers, I would have preferred the brighter atmosphere of the first two movies.
For Harry Potter fans, don't expect anything like before. Some of you might think that is good, others will agree with me that it's just too much. I only hope Mike Newell will make more of a return to the first two movies while filming Goblet of Fire. I think everyone will enjoy the movie to some degree, but I certainly didn't leave it thinking, "Wow! That was a GREAT movie!" Oh well, maybe next time...