new improved formula

Rating: 9/10 (7 June 2004)

I thought this was by far the best of the three Potter films. The last two were distinctly average and while they remained true to the books in practically every way, I felt they did not do justice to the stories. This film took a different approach which worked much better.

This film as with the book has a slightly darker tone; it takes a slightly less child like approach than the last two films, with less cheesy lines and much improved acting from Daniel Radcliffe among others.

I thought the new layout for Hogwarts was much better than the fairy story perfect school of before, the over grown grounds and steep hills were much more how I pictured the school to be.
Cuaron has taken the films that Columbus started and in a sense made it grow up, I especially loved the way in which the shots were connected by showing the time passing either through the clock or by the Womping willow tree.
The special effects used in this film were great, the Hippogriff Buckbeak was particularly good, and I loved the scene where it flew over the great lake with Harry. The Dementors were also good, providing the film with a scary darker element than previously.
the only bad points that I could find with this film was that for die hard potter fans who know the books inside out there were several storylines which were left out. Secondly the scene after Harry's found out about Sirius "betraying" his parents where he is crying brought the memories of the previous films screaming back.
Overall Cuaron has made a much improved version of Harry Potter, taking a slightly darker approach than before, this film seemed to flow much better than the first two, and while still providing the fun element of the first films. Provided a more mature approach from both the actors and the way in which the film was presented. I was a bit annoyed that several storylines and characters e.g. Oliver wood from the books got the chop, but the main story remained the same.
For die hard Potter fans looking for the book to be played out exactly down to the last detail on screen you will be slightly disappointed. But this potter film holds much more for teenagers and adults than the last two. Cuaron deserved a round of applause for this film. I'm looking forward to seeing what the 2005 installment has in store for us.