When Harry Potter first hit the scene back in 1997 or so, we sat and read the book to the girls, partially to satisfy their interest in the story and because Kristie and I were interested in reading it. It started our tradition of reading to the girls that continued for a number of years, and through the first 4 Potter books. After the fourth, we decided that the story was getting a bit too dark for our family, and we put an end to reading them. We relunctantly attended the first couple of movies with my parents on some holiday get-together relegated the last few to the DVD rental queue.
At the beginning of this summer, Allie decided she would reacquaint herself with the stories, since she was in kindergarten when we first started. We still had the old books and she tore through them in her usual style. She plowed through the 5th and 6th books and is anxiously waiting to borrow the 7th from a friend. Naturally, she decided to round out her research by watching all the movies on DVD, with Netflix that's a piece of cake. We all watched bits and pieces of the first three and it was a family event to watch the 4th, as none of us had seen it. So we were all ready for the 5th movie, which conveniently was coming out this summer.
This movie was very enjoyable. It had been so long since I read the 4th book, it was good to get reset by watching the movie, and this one continues the story and does a good job at it. I've been told by Allie that there were a number of digressions/compressions from the book...but how could you expect anything less?
I think the kid playing Harry Potter has done a good job of portraying a character that has become as large as any in fiction. He's matured (naturally) and so has Harry. The Ron-kid is kind of a non-entity in this movie, kind of just standing there and being supportive, but not a lot of dialog. The girl is still a cutie, and has matured in a pleasant way and has toned down the uber-wench that she played in the earlier movies. All the rest of the characters are fine, consistent with the characterizations in the movies, if not completely true to the books. Gary Oldham is allowed too little time as Sirius and his death is really kind of a non-event. Loved the new character Umbridge played by Imelda Staunton. She was awesome in Freedom Writers as the horrible department chair and she does an equally terrific job in playing a nasty & narcistic teacher...and perfectly portrays a real character that I work with...but we won't go into that. Probably the most I've smiled in any of the HP movies really. I still miss Richard Harris as Dumbledore, not in a sniffling, crybaby way (more on that point). The new guy is fine, but Harris will always be the Sean Connery of Dumbledores.
My only real negative is the handling of Sirius' relationship with Harry. I remember from the books how close they were and in the movies, that just got thrust on us...then poof! he's gone. I guess I have another negative...but it has nothing to do with the movies or the books. It has to do with the fans. I've heard and read about people who were literally in tears when Sirius died. Or they were physically sickened when Voldemort kicked the crap out of Harry. Or whatever. They're characters in a book/movie! They are not real people, they don't get hurt/worried/sad/happy or any other emotion. Kristie's sister is a lot like this. She will refer to Harry almost the way you would a close friend. Whatever.
Nice movie, stayed awake and enjoyed it. I guess that makes it a winner in my house.