The differences between this Potter movie and the others are endless, both large and small. One thing that really stands out about this movie is the full use of special effects to dramatize the experience of flight. Rather than an up-close and personal shot that is clearly the result of a green screen the director draws the viewer in with a wide view of Harry and his friends flying throughout the course of this movie.
The flight scenes aren’t the only things that have changed, Hogwart’s has developed into the school it was meant to be when Rowling developed the idea in her mind. No longer does this school feel like a summer camp, the use of realistic everyday encounters between students and their familiarity with their campus make it clear that they live in this school not just attend it. This level of reality adds a completely new element to an already amazing film.
Harry Potter (Danielle Radcliffe) is placed in increasingly difficult situations where he must decide whether or not to hold true to his principles or to stand idly by as what he considers atrocities occur in front of his eyes. True to his role as the hero of these films Harry leads his friends Hermoine, and Ron, into danger again and again only to emerge stronger than when they originally started.
In the previous movies, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the supporting cast has been somewhat lacking in terms of substance and character. In this movie they begin to develop more in depth roles within the plot of the movie. Most notable among these supporting characters is Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). In this movie his love for animals and support of Harry and his friends plays an integral role in the development of the plot.
Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) makes the greatest impression, in different ways. When he speaks, he is unrecognizable. Because Sirius is Harry’s last surviving family member and yet hunted by the respectable wizarding community an element of bittersweet reconnection is introduced. Harry discovers he has family surviving, but he cannot openly engage in a relationship with him because of the current social and political situation.
The story of the film is basic though never boring. I realize that there are some slower parts in the middle. But there were so many small exciting elements hidden in plain sight by the director that the film never feels as if it is dragging on. Every time you think that you are about to get something mundane a new element is introduced, such as the werewolf’s benevolence or Harry acting more like a spoiled teen than expected.