Warner Brothers Pictures presents a PG-13 rated 138 minute film directed by David Yates and starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley), Jason Boyd (Piers), Richard Macklin (Malcolm), Kathryn Hunter (Mrs. Arabella Figg), Fiona Shaw (Petunia Dursley), Richard Griffiths (Vernon Dursley), Adrian Rawlins (James Potter), Geraldine Somerville (Lily Potter), Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Natalia Tena (Nymphadora Tonks), Brendan Gleeson (Alastor'Mad-Eye' Moody), George Harris (Kingsley Shacklebolt), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint ( Ron Weasley), Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Katie Leung (Cho Chang), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Emma Thompson (Sybil Trelawney), Warwick Davis (Filius Flitwick), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid) and Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall).
I have never been a huge Harry Potter fan, sorry die hard fans, but I must say this one was quite good. It lost my attention once or twice for a very short time but thought for the most part it was well adapted to the big screen supported by beautiful cinematic moments. The writing of the characters was impeccable and for once made it easier to follow the history of them along with the plot and direction of this installment. This far into the trilogy I would hope the acting was brilliant and of course it was especially by the main characters. The special effects were superb along with the score but most impressive was the fact that this rendition flowed and made sense throughout the entire story.
When it opened to a modern day Harry being bullied by a group of neighborhood kids I wasn't sure the direction the film would take the audience in, especially if you happen to be the one person who has not read the book! When the dementors attack Harry and Dudley he is faced with using his wand and powers in front of the Muggles, out of school and under the age of seventeen which leads him to fight against the ministry in court so they do not expel him from Hogswart. Questions come into play whether the attack was staged by the ministry itself but with the help of Dumbledore, Harry is rightfully rewarded.
But fear of war has entered into Harry's head since he constantly has nightmares revolving around the "Dark Lord" Voldemort. The ministry finds not only fault with Harry's claims since they believe Voldemort is dead but that of Dumbledore as well and appoints a new leader of the school, Dolores Umbridge. Nothing but prim and proper and everything by the book are the motives behind her daily school lessons. Harry knows he may have to fight a war so he and some of the other students take to learning wizarding techniques on their own behind the backs of the new administration.
When the "Dark Lord" constantly tries to invade Harry's mind he knows it is only a short time before the confrontational war begins between Voldemort, the escaped prisoners from Azkaban, Harry and his friends. One must learn by controlling your emotions you can truly discipline your mind. Answers to ones problems may sometimes be closer than one thinks especially when Harry searches to rescue his Godfather Sirius from the dark side. Dumbledore struggles to overcome Voldemort in turn fighting with the use of natures true elements. Albeit truth be told and the survival of the most knowledgeable shelters those from pain and suffering. In the end though things we lose have a way of always coming back to us including the students of Hogwart.
All the aspects of this film will truly have word of mouth chatting at the water cooler for quite some time once again leading it into the field of a box office success and deservedly so. Special effects, a great returning cast enhanced by a wonderful supporting group along with several animal actors will help to launch yet a another Potter big screen adaptation from the novel by J.K. Rowling into a magical movie experienced surely to be enjoyed by young and old.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.