Different...but still great. *SPOILERS*

Rating: 10/10 (17 August 2004)

I am an avid Harry Potter fan so naturally I went to see this pretty much the day it came out in Canada. I would say it's different, but still great. Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien) did an excellent job of directing Dan, Emma and Rupert (Harry, Hermione and Ron respectively). Unlike in the previous two movies, Cuaron filmed these three in normal 'Muggle' clothes at times and not just in their robes.
The young cast of Dan, Rupert and Emma were joined again by Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan), among others. The older cast once again included Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid and Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, again among many others. Newcomers this time 'round included Gary Oldman as the escaped criminal and accused murderer Sirius Black. Also new, replacing the late, great Richard Harris, is Michael Gambon, playing Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore. In my opinion, no one will be able to replace Mr. Harris and no one but Mr. Harris is Dumbledore. This may be just because he is new we will see.
The movie was very good if not missing out on a number of things. One thing that disappointed me was the fact they didn't do much on the Shrieking Shack. That is a major plot point.
Based on this and the fact that the next movie 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' (2005) has a new director, it will be interesting to see how the next movie goes, if it carries on the great legacy and the legendary boy wizard's greatness that J.K. Rowling's fantasy world is made up of.