I will assume that you have already watched the movie or read the book, so there will be a few spoilers, though I will try not to say anything about the plot.


The first thing to clarify is that I enjoy the Harry Potter books, and that the third book is by far my favorite. The second thing is that I found the first two movies terribly boring and unspectacular. I thought Chris Columbus had done the movie in a way that was magical, but magical in a cheap, unrealistic, and thus unbelievable way. I found there was no connection between the magic and reality, and it ended up being little more than, for lack of a better metaphor (and writing skills), a bright, plastic toy.

I was suprised how much a difference in director could effect a movie. The changes that new director Alfonso Cuaron has made are all toward the better, or at least toward my liking, being much more gritty and realistic. Instead of the bright bubblegum colors and sunlight, Cuaron opts for more dark, gritty blacks and browns, cloudy weather, mist, and rain. Now I'll believe this is set in England.
He has also done away with the fancy sparks and flashes that accompanied every wave of the wand, instead relying on subtle sound effects and simple visuals to portray the use of magic. Simply put, he has made everything much more real. The beginning sequence has a slightly handheld, documentary feel to it, and from that moment you are convinced – this could have really happened. Now for me that was something missing from the first movies.

Now, for the acting. The casting was great for the first movies, and that tradition is continued here – both Sirius Black and R.J. Lupin are brought to vivid life by Gary Oldman and David Thewlis. Both put in very memorable performances, at least at the same caliber as Snape. As a follower of the books I must say I was completely satisfied by their performances – they exceeded my expectations. Next, the main members of the cast, Harry, Hermione, and Ron, whom I found very weak in one and two, have grown up, and apparently learned more about how to act, because they are much better here. They're not perfectly believable yet, but much more believable then in the previous instalments. My one regret is that Richard Harris passed away and could not reprise his role as the great Albus Dumbledore. His replacement, Michael Gambon, does not have that sly twinkle in his eye, nor any resemblance in character to Dumbledore at all. I was disappointed with him, but it was my only disapointment, as far as the cast.

The visual effects in this movie are great. I don't just mean computer graphics and razzle-dazzle, but the entire "look" of the movie. Decisions to make the dementors look as they are and to make the sets as they are. Stuff like that. Well, Cuaron knows how to use visual effects. Peter Jackson knew (lord of the rings trilogy). Michael Gondry knew (eternal sunshine on the spotless mind). Chris Columbus, did not. The dementors are absolutely terrifying, and the werewolf is great too. One of my greatest worries leading up to this movie was Buckbeak. I was completely convinced they woul ruin it. It is incredibly hard to make a CG creature believable, but they have succeeded. Buckbeak is completely believable, and I mean it when I say completely. The highlights of the movie, in my opinion, is the ride on Buckbeak, Quidditch, and the first encounter with the dementors. These both use heavy CG but work fantastically. Cuaron also uses "not flashy" special effects, like a flying shot zooming into hogwarts catle and moving through the corridors, extremely cleverly. Top marks here.

Music was good, as it was in the past movies, though again, creepier and more foreboding. Not much to really say except that it did the job and a little more.

Clarity of the story. I don't want to say much in fear of spoiling something important, but suffice to say that one can find it a bit confusing if you have not read the book. Then again, who hasn't?

Gripes. Well, not alot, except I guess the acting of the child actors. It was a big improvement over the last two, though. Also the replacement of Richard Harris with Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. I'm sure there were other actors who could have played the role better, like Ian McKellan. I also wanted to see more quidditch, and be shown more about James, Sirius, Lupin, and Pettigrew. The back history that was so intriguing in the book is missing from the movie. Unfortunate.

Overall, this is a movie far above average, well worth your attention, even if you were turned off by the first two films. If you like the book, its a must-see. For those interested in the film-making process, I can say I found it extremely enjoyable just seeing how two different directors did things in their own unique ways.

What did you think?

a most impressive review! very well thought out and well said.

i mostly agree... i didn't like the dementors flying, and i felt the patronus charm was a little stupid looking, and it felt way too rushed, but other then that, Hear Hear!