No matter how many films that feature special effects one sees, they get all the more amazing in terms of what filmmakers can accomplish these days, and here director Mike Newell and the crew wizards go all out, from the flying sequences to the materialization of Ralph Fiennes as the menacing Lord Voldemort. (Acknowledge the make-up department as well for the lack of his nose.) The overall result is visually dazzling, and the huge roster of those involved, as noted in the end credits, illustrates how cooperative the effort has been.

As for the story, written by Steve Kloves, based, of course, on the imaginative novel by J. K. Rowling, there is a marked departure in the progression of the series. Harry is getting older, as are his pals, a fact of fictional life reflected in the look and demeanor of Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger.

The advancing years can also be noted in the expression of teenage concerns for which the film takes time away—maybe too much so-- from the action, such as a ball scene, the visit of a group of girls and the glances that suggest what may be increasingly on teenage minds.

There is also the injection of sadness into this tale, with an important death that leads to grieving. The series, growing up along with its protagonist, is getting somewhat darker.