Almost Brilliant

Rating: Null/10 (8 July 2004)

Personally for me the third movie was definitely the best out of the three. I think it also helped that the third book was my favorite. It also helped me understand the movie a lot more although if you haven't read the 3rd book then i suggest you do after or before you see it, because it helps you to appreciate the story more.
There are a lot of people complaining about the acting which i did not have much of a problem with. Rupert(Ron) was there for comic relief, did not do much other wise, but that was his main outline in the book as well so i thought he did fantastic. Daniel(Harry) has definitely improved a lot from the first two films, he has learned to put a lot of emotion but not over the top. Emma Watson(Hermione)has developed the most since the first 2 because b4 she was over exaggerating her acting in her words and actions which now seemed to have diminished. Rickman(Snape),Smith(Mcgonagall),Coltrane(Hagrid) had minor rolls in the movie but they were the same as the first 2. Although Rickmans part has evolved.The new additions of Thewlis(Lupin), whom i thought captured Lupin very well with his weird hand gestures to his slow,calm tone.Oldman(Black), Very well done at making him look gross and scary.Spall(pettigrew),excellent, really did disgust me!!Gambon(Dumbledore), looked almost exactly like the late Harris, except he was more mysterious. Thompson(Trelawney),done well she had the whole appearance of the crazy,weird divination teacher.Felton(Malfoy), I found he did an excellent job but i don't think his character's emotions were right.He came across as a scared little sissy,who seemed to run away screaming in most of his scenes, like when he's attacked by the hippogriff(though very comic scene)and when Hermione went at him and when harry through a snowball at him. Yes he should have been scared but he is a Malfoy,he's supposed to act like nothing scares him,especially not girls!!
The CG effects i thought were well done especially, Buckbeak he really looked as though he was real. The whooping willow was done a lot better in this movie, definitely more effective. I really like the look of the werewolf as well, very eerie glad they made him thin and hairless unlike most werewolves you hear about.
As for the set i thought is was very realistic, didn't like the fact that the most of the grounds had changed. I wish they would have used the same location for the first two.During the film i also didn't like how the movie kept fading to a black screen for scene change!!
Overall the movie was enjoyable, excited to see the next one since there will be a new director as well. If you haven't seen it I suggest you do, it is a lot darker and has more emotion than the first two!! It is also less like the book than the first two, but so far this movie has been my favorite!! Hope you enjoy it!!!!!!