Alfonso makes a good effort, yet fails to stay faithful to the books.

Rating: 5/10 (15 July 2007)

If you have not previously read the books, do so before watching, else you shall be even more confused by a film that misses out so much background that it fails to develop the plot correctly.
To Concentrate on the Direction of the film Alfonso has made a somewhat more believable effort than efforts of Columbus in HP1 & 2. For starters it appears that Alfonso has understood that it is unusual for students to wear their uniform outside of school, a clear sign that he understands what the films are about a little more.
Be prepared however for some stupidly over-blown CGI that sacrifices time in the film that could have been used for better purposes. It is also to be noted that Daniel Radcliffe is placed with two extremely embarrassing scenes that would not have been out of place in "titanic".
This brings us onto our Actors. The "trio" (Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger)) who have undoubtedly progressed in Acting ability, while they have been good so far (and have had some awful directors to work with in HP 1 & 2) they show that they are certainly capable in PoA. Emma Watson delivering the best performance of the three in this film showing that she can use expression fully. With some stunning acting from other, older actors, but as other critics say their roles can hardly be called more than "cameo" appearances, which is disappointing as such time is wasted with, the aforementioned over-blown CGI.
I scored this film as 5 (out of 10) simply due to the fact that it is half-baked, not even half as good as the book, and the adaptation leaves the audience with little satisfaction from it.