This is the fourth in the Harry Potter series and, while a step down from the previous one, stands with the best of the others. Arguably, it has the best action sequences in the series, which is surprising given that director Mike Newell had never really done action before. The real accomplishment, however, is the way the film does justice to the source material, a book nearly as long as the previous three combined. It moves fast and drops subplots, yes, but it does justice to what's on the screen, telling the story with the gravity and emotion it requires, which is more than can be said about the Harry Potter movies made since.