A wasted opportunity with the best book so far

Rating: Null/10 (1 June 2004)

I was SO looking forward to the 3rd Harry Potter film. The story was a big step forward from the two previous books and they made some great additions to the cast. Unfortunately this film badly needed an extra 20-30 minutes to flesh out the story and add character depth. I feel they cut it down far too much and it has suffered as a result. Please let there be an extended version on DVD in the future.
I've read some say its dark and magical - Dark yes and rightly so, but certainly lacking magic (except for the flying scene with buckbeak). The scenery and Hogwart's are very stark and dreary, not magical at all.
Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is 'grey' in every sense - clothes, beard, persona (great actor wasted) - where did the character and his splendor go?
Someone also thought it a good idea to cast Dawn French as the fat lady and wasted valuable screen time on her. The minister for magic is now human and another bit of magic goes with this re-casting. The relationship with professor Lupin and Harry at the core of the book was never developed - the patronus spell Harry fought hard to learn was managed in 2 attempts in the film. And when he uses the spell at the lake it becomes a big pond in the film. So much of the book is lost in the film!
A wasted opportunity to bring Harry Potter to a different level. I cringe at the thought of how they will cut down and ruin the even longer and more complex Goblet of Fire. Please go the LOTR 3 hour film route or make two films per book. 5/10