Harry Potter And The Pensioner of Kazakhstan (Subs please check) (No.3) HD-DVD review
I've always thought it was the best book of the series and also it's where the film series changes to being really good. I'd had the HD-DVD hanging around since before christmas but finally found just over two hours spare one night to watch it. It was well worth it as well.
The film is well directed, keeping your interest held throughout. The actors finally give some good performances and lose most of their irritation factor. The Ron actor is the least improved to my mind though, despite what a lot of people have said. He still does just a bit too much gurning. Hermione is vastly improved and becomes a thoroughly likeable character. Harry too is much more sympathetic than the previous films. You can actually find yourself truly feeling for him for a change.
The visual side of things is superb. The dementors look terrifying and hogwarts looks spellbinding (That wasn't intentional you know). There is considerable detail in pretty much every scene. It's all CG of course but it shows it can be effective when appropriate care is taken.
The darker tone of the film adds drama but without being too much for family view Also, it manages to have a finale without Harry Potter himself being in any kind of significant danger. There is no big showdown with a big evil villain or monster. I think that's probably quite an achievement, having a spectacular exciting end without peril for the main character.
As for the DVD itself, the quality was excellent. The HD really works in the his instance. It brings out the glorious detail in every scene. It breathes extra life into the film and the effect is really quite stunning. Even on 'just' a 32" screen. I dare say the transfer is the same on the Blu Ray so I'm sure the same applies. It's a worthy upgrade from DVD. Ideally you'll have a PC with Blu Ray/HD DVD combi drive and you'll be able to get the much cheaper HD DVD rather than Blu Ray.
The film is well directed, keeping your interest held throughout. The actors finally give some good performances and lose most of their irritation factor. The Ron actor is the least improved to my mind though, despite what a lot of people have said. He still does just a bit too much gurning. Hermione is vastly improved and becomes a thoroughly likeable character. Harry too is much more sympathetic than the previous films. You can actually find yourself truly feeling for him for a change.
The visual side of things is superb. The dementors look terrifying and hogwarts looks spellbinding (That wasn't intentional you know). There is considerable detail in pretty much every scene. It's all CG of course but it shows it can be effective when appropriate care is taken.
The darker tone of the film adds drama but without being too much for family view Also, it manages to have a finale without Harry Potter himself being in any kind of significant danger. There is no big showdown with a big evil villain or monster. I think that's probably quite an achievement, having a spectacular exciting end without peril for the main character.
As for the DVD itself, the quality was excellent. The HD really works in the his instance. It brings out the glorious detail in every scene. It breathes extra life into the film and the effect is really quite stunning. Even on 'just' a 32" screen. I dare say the transfer is the same on the Blu Ray so I'm sure the same applies. It's a worthy upgrade from DVD. Ideally you'll have a PC with Blu Ray/HD DVD combi drive and you'll be able to get the much cheaper HD DVD rather than Blu Ray.