A new yardstick for movies

Rating: 5/10 (22 June 2004)

The Potter series is undoubtedly aimed at the 8-14 age range. I've no doubt that anyone in this age range will measure the films of the future against these films. I've no doubt I'll be castigated for saying this, but I don't think the films work for adults. Ignoring the excessive use of cgi ,I suspect that this is mostly down to the wooden acting of the three leads. Strangely, I've started siding with Malfoy who seems much more sympathetic than the aloof Potter.
Anyway a prisoner is on the loose in the latest outing with a link to HP's tragic past. The measures taken to protect Hogwarts seem far more dangerous than the prisoner. There's lots of fantasy thrown into the pot and I've no doubt that the target age range will be totally spellbound.

Some of the older actors put in nice cameos, but overall the film is never compelling. 6/10