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It also features two scenes which I think rank with the series' best; the Tale of Three Brothers, which is a stunning piece of animation, and the dance between Harry and Hermione. Then again, I might be biased because I love Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds and was really, really excited to hear "O Children" used in the one place that I would never have expected to hear them.

I have a general question for those who have seen it; what were the reactions of kids in the theater to the end of the film? When The Character That Dies died, I heard some muffled but audible sobs around me and one child started shouting "someone stop him!" when Voldemort...well, when he does what he does at the very end. Were there any points in the film where you thought that perhaps the series had progressed beyond the point where it was suitable for kids?

Kim Hollis: I agree that Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite of the films, and I also agree that the character development in the newest film is spectacular. I thought all three of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson were amazing in their roles, and have really grown into them over the years, which is something that had to happen organically and could never have been predicted. I loved Deathly Hallows Part One and I have to say, Edwin, that I was surprised to be as affected as I was when the Character That Dies died. Very. I didn't cry, though.

Michael Lynderey: I'm not saying this to be snarky but, while I liked the film, it's probably my least favorite in the series. It just seemed a little too meandering, and not enough time was spent on the supporting characters (who usually liven up the proceedings). Take this opinion with a grain of salt, though, because I'm somebody who at one point thought that the second film was the best in the series (and I still might). So what do I know?

David Mumpower: When we discussed the seventh Potter book in a MMQB in 2007, I stated that I loved everything about the story. There were criticisms at the time that the first half was too slow, meticulous in the wrong way. I dismissed them in that I loved the characters so much that the journey to the finish line felt appropriately paced. This is not the case with the movie, which simply lacks enough action to give a foundation to two and a half hours of character development. What works in the novel fails onscreen to a degree. Yes, there are magical moments, particularly the dance sequence wherein the two characters seem to regress to their childhood right before my eyes. I think that will be the best scene of 2010 when I vote in The Calvins. I also enjoy the visuals that Josh mentions above. I just don't think that this type of detailed character study stands well enough on its own. When added in tandem to the second movie next July, that may not be the case but as I type this, I feel like this is the worst Potter film to date or at least on a par with the first one, which had been my least favorite up until now. Deathly Hallows Part I lacks a hook in my estimation. I understand the need to split the book into two movies; it just didn't work for me as a standalone piece.

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