Eric's thoughts on Harry Potter

I need to preface this with the following note: I have never read the third <english accent>Harry Potter</english accent> book. Therefore, I am judging the movie only on the basis of it's theatrical merit, not how true it was to the book. Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way...

This was a really good movie. Perhaps the best of three so far. It certainly has a different look and tone to it then the first two. Comparing this movie to the previous two would be an excellent film school exercise to show what a difference the director of a movie can make. I've often been curious if the director really makes that much of a difference in the final outcome of a movie, or if the story and the 100s of people involved make the movie what it is. This was one of the rare opportunities to see what a difference a different director makes.

I think it helped the story for book 3 is more interesting, grown up, and complex then the first two books. Now that the characters are adolescents, the story is becoming more complex and more charged. The actors are given a larger range of emotions to work with, including vengeance, real anger, and just a hint of love.

I only have two real complaints about the movie. First, the new Dumbledore is just not the same. And I don't mean just the actor is different. I mean the whole character seems to have changed. Dumbledore used to be this old and wise wizard with a stern but not off putting personality. This new Dumbledore is a little too light-hearted and cheery eyed. He also has a new outfit that seems a little too hippie and not authoritative. It's just a different take on the character I guess, but in my opinion it is a take for the worse.

The only other thing I have to complain about the movie was that I thought it was a little too long. But then again I went to see it with Sue and Dana when I was supposed to be at work, so I was probably just thinking about being late getting back:)