Cauron should have read the book.

Rating: 1/10 (11 December 2004)

This is by far the best book in the series, and I really think that Cauron was a very bad choice to direct it. He ruined it. He said he wanted to make the movie dark and sinister, just like the book. But I can't help but notice that the later half of the movie is so 'dark' it is hard to even see it. I guess what Cauron failed to understand was that to make the movie dark like the book did not require him to veil the camera lens. He failed to understand that the book was dark because of the story and situations itself. Compare Cauron's movie with the earlier two ones directed by Chris Columbus, and it comes out looking even worse. Chris also took liberties with the plot and the look in the movies but it was a pleasure to watch them.
I don't say that Cauron is a bad director, but he was a bad choice for this movie. Some of the scenes, in this movie too were brilliantly contrived. The water on the window freezing, the dementors, the bird flying out of the castle and knocking itself on the Willow, Harry's flight on Buckbeak, and best of all, Dumbledore lighting the candle with a wave of his arm, were the scenes that really call attention to the creativity of the director.
But Cauron lost out on the parts that were really important to the story line. Throughout the movie, there is not one instance where Sirius Black is established as dark, villainous, psychopathic, brute; except until the very end; while what was required was Sirirus Black as an ever present fearful shadow. Cauron attempted this, using posters in every scene in the movie. Boggart in the wardrobe sequence was not tenth as enjoyable as in the book.
But worst of all was the characterization of Remus Lupin. One of my favourite part in the book is Lupin telling off Harry for going to the village. What makes Lupin's words most effective is that he doesn't raise his voice or let his disappointment show on his face. Lupin, as a good teacher has a way with students and knows that at Harry's age accusations will give back arguments, but will not make Harry realize his mistake. Lupin merely tells Harry that risking his life to go to the village was a bad way of repaying his parents, who gave their lives to save his. Cauron's juvenile attempt at this turned the scene into one in which Thewlis yells at Harry and sends him to his dorm.
These are but a few inconsistencies in the movie, which I couldn't help but notice. Cauron's movie got lost in the animatronics and computer imagery, and lost out it's best part- it's story.
However Cauron was lucky to get some of the best artists in the industry. Sir Michael Gambon brought new life to Dumbledore. Emma Thompson was marvelous as Trelawny. Though he only got one real scene to perform in, Gary Oldman brought Sirius Black's character to life. Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane were great as always. Daniel, Rupert and Emma were good too. But best of all was John Williams. His background score really saved Cauron's movie. This was the best score out of all the three movies; the previous two were actually quite similar to each other. I expect John Williams to get an Oscar for this one.
My rating: 2/10 (basically for the background score only)
This movie can hope for an Oscar nomination for its background score only. I personally would want John Williams to win.