my pos two cents worth (possible spoiler, beware)

Rating: Null/10 (6 June 2004)

First I wish to congratulate the actors. They had some horrible constraints to work with and I thought they did a valiant job. I wish we could have seen more of Snape, Hagrid, and McGonagall in classroom settings. All of those actors are excellent, I especially love Alan Rickman. His lines are few but he delivers them with such beautiful timing and emphasis. Michael Gambon had to step into some very large shoes to fill and I think that while he will never be the perfect Dumbledore that Harris was, he held his own. The kids I thought were fantastic. Felton just continues to perfect his nastiness and we got to see that he really is a coward underneath it all. Watson was shown to be a stronger character and person and I cheer her on. Hermione is a wonderful character with passion and conviction. Grint is perfect as Ron, lovable and yet fierce at the same time. While J.K. is leading the relationship of Hermione and Ron slowly in the books, I realize that Hollywood nearly demands that it be broken sooner. I thought it was well dealt with and never left any question in my mind that the two will eventually be a couple. As for Radcliffe, to me he IS Harry. I believe him to be an extremely likable hero, brave, yet not afraid to show fear, loyal to his parents memories and friends and I love the tenderness he shows with Hermione. I have heard some say that they should be a couple, remember this is J.K.'s story arc not ours. His gentleness is not to be confused with romantic feelings for Hermione, it merely shows that even though he was unloved for most of his life he is strong enough and pure enough of heart to show love for others. Cheers Radcliffe, I think you were marvelous. I know it's unrealistic, but I hope they are able to keep the kids and the teachers the same for all the movies. They have brought to life the characters I dearly love and I would feel a real loss at some other actor trying to take the part. Please stick with it guys. I thought that the CGI Buckbeak and dementors were fabulous. I wish we could have seen multiple hippogryphs, but what they created was just as beautiful, proud and majestic as could be.
The dementors gave me chills and I was glad to know that J.K. had commented that they were exactly as she envisioned them. I also thought they dealt with the time travel very well. I see on the forum that it has confused some, but I found it to be clear and concise. The movie did not delight me like the first two which saddened me, but the actors helped to ease the pain, especially the kids. I continue to have high hopes for the fourth movie.