Disappointing

Rating: Null/10 (9 June 2004)

Because this movie was based on my favorite HP book and because I had also read some very encouraging film reviews, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, I found that I was majorly disappointed. The biggest disappointment I think for me was the fact that they completely left out the explanation of the map and who Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were. I'm sorry but that's an integral part of the whole book!They also just glossed over Harry's patronus taking the form of a stag and it's significance. I would have gladly had them trim the Aunt Marge scene and the Knight Bus scene and have had them add another 15 minutes to the pivotal scene in the whole movie (the scene in the Shrieking Shack). The dialogue and interaction between Lupin, Sirius, Snape and Pettigrew could have been so much more exciting, enthralling and informative had they followed the book. On the upside the scenery and cinematography was outstanding. The special effects for the dementors and Buckbeak were fabulous. But here again they majorly disappointed me with a werewolf that was totally horrendous. They went the Hollywood way and make a creature that was so unlike a wolf it was pathetic and not particularly scary. If they bothered to read JKR's books they'd know that the werewolf she describes is so close to a real wolf that there are only 5 minor differences that tell them apart (eyes, snout shape, tuft on tail...). Overall I enjoyed the movie but I guess I should have learned by now that they will always disappoint. The books will always and forever be better.