Very disappointed, not transported.

Rating: Null/10 (14 June 2004)

SPOILERS POSSIBLY AHEAD I was so ready to see the beautifully written PoA on screen. To see the enchanting vision that J.K.Rowling so aptly created. I could not wait to see; the village of Hogsmeade,prepare to meet Buckbeak and the tiny owl, who Sirius gives to Ron, experience the Knight bus, to be frightened by the Dementors, be thrilled by the Marauder's Map, and all of its secrets, just to be transported once again into that excellent world of magic where broomsticks fly and willows whomp,but alas the film fell flat. Some of the previous were addressed, but not in a fashion befitting this book, more like an episode of any gritty crime drama on T.V..
The actors were great, this includes the new members as well.
The world of Harry Potter has been set, or so I thought, until I saw an unrecognizable; Hogwarts, the grounds, the Forbidden Forest, Hagrids cabin,etc..The characters are growing up to be sure, as they should be, and as the book describes,but come on, the director Cuaron changes so much about this book and the characters, not to mention the world we have come to expect, that it is astounding. Yes this book does get darker, but is it necessary to change the entire look of the school and surroundings to get this across? Obviously yes. I so disagree. Is the movie better for it? I say a resounding NO!! Be darker, be gritter,but achieve it with your excellent actors not by making Hogwarts and the surroundings unfamiliar and downright depressing. I could go on and on. Let's just say that it is an o.k. film, not at all a magical film, and never are we transported to the beloved place Harry calls "home", instead we have been plunked down in a dark world that makes you glad you are not there rather than the reverse.