The filmmakers fit in a Quidditch game, two key foreshadowing sequences (upon the student’s arrival and one character alone at a tower top) and two strikingly frightening scenes amid romantic respites that prove love can exist amid danger. Director Peter Yates continues showing strong skills with a creative re-introductory stairs shot and an amazing “moving painting”-like sea scene with Dumbledore and Harry. In one poignant scene, Yates frames one dark character walking down a lonely hallway while oblivious students on the right side pursue their own wants – a stark contrast that resonates the film’s darker themes. But the filmmakers wisely avoid using any flashbacks from previous installments. The film's score begins on familiar ground with the familiar John Williams theme, but then composer Nicolas Hooper wisely shifts his musical score into new directions.
Strong continuity, via screenwriter Steve Kloves, makes a positive impact, though some book fans may have issues with the film’s varied tone and new subplots. Kloves has been involved with every Potter film except the previous installment, Order of the Phoenix and will write the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which releases in theaters in two parts, one in 2010 and the last in 2011. Yates will also direct both future installments, another great continuity element especially since this installment triggered so many great memories and progressive steps from the previous installments.
Hopefully, an eventually-released culminative DVD set will contain one solid feature on Harry’s personal journey and all the lessons he picked up along the way to the series’ final resolution. This recommended film has admirable themes and returns the film series to a PG rating (scares, violence and mild language). Also playing in IMAX theaters.
Article comments
1 - vikram lalwani
The movie harry potter was excellent but the thing i didnt like that death od prof. dumbuldor... He was the one very close to harry. he was the breath of hogwarts. he should come back. pls...