Great movie but could've even better. (Contains SPOILERS)

Rating: 9/10 (17 June 2004)

Liked it ! It's delightful, almost beautiful...
I finally watched the movie after days of reading all the reviews (good and bad) here and around. I was affected initially when others posted that some of the more important parts of the book were not included such as the Marauder's Map story, the significance of the stag and a more detailed Shrieking Shack scene. With lower expectations, I enjoyed the movie a lot. It could have been better, missing some of the best parts in the book, but it is a great movie nonetheless. The director is definitely talented in film-making. He does however need to give more respect to the book and its readers. Afterall, the Harry Potter movies would not have attracted as many viewers if not for the books.
I do hope that the movie was longer because some parts that left an impression after reading the book were left out. Besides the explanation of the Marauder's Map which everyone is talking about, other parts are -
1. Stag - Prongs rode again last night. It would have been great if the movie included Dumbledore or at least someone, explaining to Harry the Stag represents his father, who was gone but lives on always in his heart. The Patronas came from within him. Imagine Prongs returning back to Harry after chasing away the Dementors, gazing at his son and bowing its antlered head before vanishing. Harry did see his father, the reverse of the idea that he thought he saw his father but it was actually he himself who produced the Patronas. That would have been a poignant scene.
2. The guilt Sirius felt because he persuaded James and Lily to change the Secret-Keeper to Pettigrew. He knew Voldermort would suspect him as the Secret-Keeper rather than the useless Pettigrew.
3. The Shrieking Shack myth, the Whomping Willow and the tunnel were all created for Lupin.
4. Snape's schoolboy grudge that overshadowed everything else, even sending an innocent man to death by the Dementors.
Another way is perhaps to make a longer movie and edit it into an adult version and a children version. The adult version would be darker and more emotional aspects of the book included. The children version would include more vibrance, colours and more happy scenes, like winning the Quidditch Cup.
At the end of it all, I'm glad my favourite book of the Harry Potter series so far was brought to life on screen and I truly enjoyed the experience.