I'm glad to say that I'm not disappointed in this one. HP1 was okay. I haven't read the book when I saw it. HP2 was awful. It's the worst Potter film for me. And honestly, I was slightly disappointed in the first viewing of HP3. But then, the more I watch it [on DVD], the more I realize that the third Potter movie was the best of the three. In terms of storytelling and character development, Azkaban is far better than the first two. The Harry-Flying-With-Buckbeak scene is one of the best scenes IMHO. It is emotional and the music is great. Now comes the fourth in the series, The Goblet of Fire.

Actually hanggang dito pa lang ang nababasa ko. Tingnan ko pa lang yung kapal ng book, tinatamad na ako e. Pero ok lang. The new movie condensed it into an almost 3-hour movie. That means a lot has been left out. I've already expected it so the changes are no big deal for me and I think the movie will survive even without Rita Skeeter. (Baka sa next book may important role pa sya)

===MINOR SPOILERS===

So, here are the things I like:
* Pacing. Well-paced but not uses Cuaron's scene transitions in Azkaban.
* Music. The great John Williams theme is still here (most notably Hedwig's Theme or the opening theme of every HP movie). The new composer Patrick Doyle added a nice new touch in the film's music and makes the film darker. However, there's a part in the Yule Ball where the music is distracting. Imagine, may rock band sa Hogwarts?
* Amazing visuals. The arrival of the schools and the 2nd task was almost dream-like. Beautifully done.
* Tone. It's darker and more mature. Parang mga tunay na gawain ng mga students ang pinoportray. Yun bang mga patambay-tambay lang sa lobby?
* Special effects. Ok lahat, except for some few crappy CGIs like the landing ng mag-amang Diggory sa ground after touching the Portkey. Morphing of Krum into a shark. The dance number of Durmstrang. Yung pinapaikot nila yung mga stick na hawak nila....
* Fleur...Hermione...Cho Chang...Ginny...and...Madame Maxine (haha..joke) Okay naman si Cho Chang. Kung natuloy si Heart Evangelista para sa role, ewan ko na lang. Iba kasi English ni Heart e.


Gandalf?!?

* Dumbledore. Mas gusto ko na si Michael Gambon kaysa kay Richard Harris as Dumbledore. Imaginin mo kaya na si Richard Harris ang nagbibigay ng speech sa tournament? Di ba ang panget? Uugod-ugod na. Young Dumbledore looks like Gandalf the Grey! :)
* Relationships. Mas lumalim ang relationships ng trio.
* Moody. La lang. Galing. Pero si Snape pa rin favorite ko.
* Voldemort. Great job by Ralph Fiennes. His performance can still be seen kahit natabunan na siya ng make-up.
* Acting. Nag-improve acting ni Daniel(!) Na-carried-away ako...two thumbs up for that heartfelt mourning for (see next point..)
* HIS death. It happened so fast that it was so shocking. Dito ako naiyak. Pinipigil ko lang patak ng luha ko. Di ko expect na maiiyak ako kahit alam kong mamamatay sya. It was so depressing. I left the theater so sad because 1) HE died, 2) the anticipation for the movie is over and 3) the next movie will be out in June 2007.

===SPOILERS END===

Some points lang... Some audience may find it sexist because Fleur was portrayed as if she was incapable of joining the Tournament. La lang. Ganun lang napansin ko. Just see it for your self.

Haay...4 down..3 more to go. While waiting for 2007, marami pa namang next attractions. Narnia, King Kong, Da Vinci Code, Superman Returns and X-Men 3. By the way, the new trailer for The Da Vinci Code will be attached to King Kong. Another reason to see this Peter Jackson flick...Hehe.

RATING: (out of 10)
Stone: 7
Chamber: 5
Azkaban: 8
Goblet of Fire: 9