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I loved it. From beginning to end, it was an enormously good time. The Trio were in top form and keep getting better/more attractive. Maggie Smith had stuff to do this time around, and was terrific. What I loved most about Azkaban and this film were the add-in touches, making the films their own experiences. My favorite scene was the study hall scene in the Great Hall, when Snape kept hitting Harry and Ron, and "Oi, Angelina!" was kept in!
Azkaban is a flawless movie, save the Shrieking Shack scene which was destroyed for no apparent reason considering ALL the necessary dialogue was in the book.
The only missing item from GoF that really stuck out for me was a better explanation of Neville's parents, and Snape showing his Dark Mark to the Ministry of Magic. But even those things didn’t really bother me until after the credits started rolling; whereas, in Azkaban (which I do consider a superior film) the Shrieking Shack’s brevity was jarring and irritating as I was watching it.
I loved the teenaged angst fest in Goblet. The first two movies introduced Rowling’s world to the screen, and saccharine though they may have been, I give Columbus a lot more credit than most of my friends for doing a darn good job at establishing the story, the world, and for the incredible job he did casting. Plus, I can't lie, it wasn't until after seeing Chamber of Secrets that I decided to finally give the books a try.
Azkaban went on to really *make* the wizarding world a real place. From the bus ride to the Leaky Cauldron to Honeydukes and the Whomping Willow, Rowling’s world looked like a completely realized vision.
Newell, in my opinion, really made it feel like a school. Funny, really, since this is the first movie where only one classroom scene was featured. It just felt really populated by students of varying ages. It had that private / prep school vibe going for it and I totally dug it.
I loved Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom. I just laughed and laughed and had such a good time. It wasn't as intellectual as Azkaban - not as meditative – but it was a really lovely action movie. I remember enjoying the book a lot, but after Azkaban it felt a bit of a letdown...didn't seem as thoughtful or precise. The second time I read it I absolutely loved it, because it was so much fun. Fun that was necessary considering the absolute darkness of the book’s end, and because of the dreary place she planned on going in the 5th installment.
It was the first truly ensemble film of the Potter series, I think. Krum and Fleur didn't get much in the way of dialogue but their presence was felt. Cedric was PERFECT. Oh, how I sobbed when Harry transported them back to Hogwarts and Harry couldn't let go of his body.
Grint was wonderfully subdued in his pissy anger. Loved their reconciliation and Watson's "Boys." remark. Ginny did stuff, too!
The friggin' twins were EVERYWHERE! Man, I love, love and love them.
The Yule ball was brilliant, minus the annoying rock band - though I liked the idea of having a rock band there. Neville's surprise and delight at coming home in the morning. Neville being the first to get up and dance, and the practice dancing in his dorm room. Sweet, brave Neville! I think it was those little perfect moments that made up for some of the other things that were lacking. I did think it strange that the Foe Glass was brought up and then not used again in the scene where Albus, Minerva and Severus foil Barty Crouch, Jr.’s plans.
The maze was a bit disappointing, but it was leading up to what we were all waiting for anyway. And the graveyard scene was far from disappointing. I loved Ralph Fiennes' semi-gay portrayal of Voldemort, with his effeminate wand waving. The Death Eater’s shooting out of the Dark Mark in the sky was terrifying, as were their bone-like masks. Awesome!
Gleeson's performance left me gleeful.
I don't know how I'd feel about the last two films if I hadn’t read the books first. My father really enjoys them, and no plans on reading the books. But I think if I hadn’t read them, some parts would feel very underdeveloped. As large as Goblet was, I don’t really feel like complaining.
Still completely baffled as to why the filmmakers have left out so much about the Mauraders and Snape, though. Given where the story is headed in Book 6, that seems almost irresponsible not to have made that at least clear in Goblet. However, since so much of Book 5 is Harry’s internal angry monologue, they can probably cut some of that out in favor of a bit of delayed exposition.
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