Definitely better!

Rating: 6/10 (2 June 2004)

Contains NOT spoilers, but important background info for anyone who hasn't read the book!!
Saw this yesterday, loved it - always my favourite book of the five so far. Just wondered WHY they didn't explain the extremely important significance of the identity of the "Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs" characters - I thought this was one of the central points of the book, that the marauders map was made by James Potter, Lupin, Pettigrew and Sirius Black when they were at Hogwarts. We were all amazed that it wasn't included.
Apart from that, the whole package is better than the previous two films - the kids have matured as actors, although now they look a little too mature to be thirteen-year-olds, and the special effects are just brilliant - loved the Knight Bus, Buckbeak, and Aunt Marge getting blown up, though the werewolf wasn't quite as convincing. Michael Gambon seems to rejuvenated Dumbledore, making him speak faster (thank goodness!) and giving him a sprightly mischieviousness. I loved Harris but this is good too. And that bridge is gorgeous - I want one!
Looking forward to seeing it again, and wish that Cuaron was directing the fourth movie too if this is what he can do.