Saw the latest installment of Harry Potter this weekend, and it rocks. I am so pleasantly surprised to see them get back to the books rather than taking too much “creative license” or whatever and ruining the thing the way they did with the last one. In all honesty, I wasn’t looking forward much to this one because I was afraid they’d butcher it like they did with the last one. Not so - this is definitely the best since the original movie.

I won’t review the plot, since there’s a whole book on it and you can find out about that online. The question is, “Should you go see it?” The answer is an unequivocal yes.

A lot happened in the book, and I don’t want you to think that they didn’t cut anything, because they did. The beginning, in particular, was chopped down. Nothing to be too disappointed about because from a plot perspective, you’re not missing much - a bit of character development and background, but nothing that would translate well to the screen. That said, the things that could be shown were, and they did a fantastic job with them.

The effects continue to impress me. With each episode, they get better and better with the effect quality and the level of sheer cool they throw out there. The magic, the creatures… it all totally looks exactly the way you imagined it, and it’s brilliance to see it happening.

What I’m most pleased with, though, is that the screen translation of the book retained the awkwardness of growing up that was so important to the ongoing character development. I was afraid that since it wasn’t a driving plot point they would nix it, but they carried it off well - the characters’ expressions and actions reflecting the whole time the changes that their lives are undertaking. It totally captures that stage of adolescence where you’re discovering dating and the social difficulties that ensue. Great in the book; just as great in the movie.

All the actors did a fantastic job, as usual, and the new faces… perfect casting. Love it. I don’t want to give too much away - you’ll just have to see.

Long story short - check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

I already can’t wait for the next one.