You're paying for the last 30 minutes.

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2004)

This film makes one terrible mistake right out of the gate. It assumes you've read the book. The first two hours of the movie are several vignettes which are moments in the book, but you do not understand WHY they are happening, nor are they tied to together at all. Emma Thompson is wasted as Professor Trelawney...I assume most of her scenes were left on the cutting room floor. David Thewlis did a credible job as Professor Lupin, but there needed to be more star power in this important role. Alan Rickman also underused in this movie as Professor Snape...his role is larger in the book. I also hated Michael Gambon as Dumbeldore if for no other reason than Dumbledore needs to be a more imposing figure (ie, tall). The late Richard Harris was imposing, but also kindly. Gambon just comes off as befuddled. The kids did a great job overall...although it is startling how much many of them have changed as they become teenagers (they need to hurry and make the next two films before they become full-fledged adults). Also curious was that Malfoy's henchman Crabbe shows up in early in the film, but is replaced by another unnamed thug later in the movie. The last half hour of the movie is excellent...precisely when Gary Oldman enters the film and Alfonso Cuarón decided he better start actually telling the story at hand. Cuaron was so hell bent on putting his mark on this film that he did an awful job in the storytelling. People will see this movie regardless of what any critic says, I just doubt they will go see it again.