Where the last film reached a hand into teenage realism and mystery, this film landed squarely on teenage awkwardness and hilarity. This is the funniest of the Potter films, and Newell made it feel effortless. At the same time, it's the most frightening, with direct V-man battling. Only took four books/movies, so it's about time.
A little light on the Quidditch, but then you can't ride that broom forever (Oh look, another roller-coaster ride in which Harry ultimately triumphs, either in sports by grabbing that snitch, or in life by moral fortitude). Also, I missed our evil Dursleys. Voldemort may be the perfect embodiment of black evil, but it's so fun to watch wicked humans get their comeuppance.
The FX are better, the Dragons nicely weighty and threatening. It's less cartoony than the first two, especially. I don't think that Chris Columbus gave up the films out of altruism, but I hope he keeps his distance for the next few. He's puts together an animatronic ride that include people. Cuarón, and now Newell, gave us more human characters who are more scared, more brave and more fallible. Much more fun to root for in the end.
Where we saw it: Movie Theater | We deign to rate it: 88 outta 100