I thought it was the best of all the movies so far, and I agree with the earlier comment that it was the smoothest transition of book to movie. In places, I thought it was actually preferable to the book, (in cutting the dreadfully extended “angry” scenes, teenaged tantrums, and the repetitive detentions) and I agreed with most of the cuts and changes in the interests of time.
This was the best character development of all the movies, and I give the director credit for that. Luna, Umbridge, Snape, Harry, Sirius, Neville, and the Weasley twins all shone. Ron and Hermione took somewhat of a back seat, but were portrayed much more sympathetically than the book, and gave solid performances. And my best honors go to the improvement of Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. He has almost completely redeemed himself after the last two movies. This was the best movie for seeing the scale and beauty of Hogwarts as well.
As you can see, I loved the movie and felt the old Harry Potter magic working for me again.
DANG! Now that is what I call a ringing endorsement.
Am almost done re-reading “Goblet of Fire” . . . am in a push to finish the other two before the final installment arrives Friday!