Blu-ray Movie Reviews

As Lord Voldemort tightens his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

The saga continues. Just like the novels these latter films are becoming a lot darker both in themes and visual presentation. As Harry and his friends grow they are faced with the obvious threats of the dark lord, but also with the normal later teenage issues such as relationships. The film balances the story nicely and stays pretty close to the book. This one isn’t quite as exciting as some of the previous chapters, but is still one of the most critical to the storyline as a whole.

The visual style of this film is pretty impressive but also very dark. High contrast displays will get the most from its drab look. Detail was good, but at times the image was slightly softer than what I was hoping for. The soundtrack is engaging though with plenty of great surround presence and deep bass extension. Overall not the best in the series, but still REALLY good.

Warner is going all out in their latest special editions and this is no exception. The 3-disc set includes both a DVD and digital copy of the film, making it really convenient for those looking to watch the film in other places. It also has their “Maximum Movie Mode” which is a great picture-in-picture feature that gives you insight into the film as it plays. Other features include making of features, interviews, a sneak peek at the next installment and deleted scenes.

This is one of the most consistent series ever put on film in my opinion and I’m looking forward to seeing how they handle the conclusion with the next two films. This is a must own for fans of the series and a great presentation with plenty of great supplements. Add it to the Christmas list!