the greatest difference

[sophiamcl]

I've just seen PoA a second time and I think I figured out what for 
me constitutes the greatest difference PS/COS and POA. The first two 
were designed as feel-good movies. You came away feeling good, as you 
were suppposed to, and thinking that all was well with the world in a 
sense (provided one was not riled up about the the adaptation): "and 
they lived happily ever after". Even with the scary parts, I felt we 
as audience were guaranteed to remain comfortably in our seats, at a 
reasonably safe distance from the action. It is like a roller-coaster 
ride where, though you thrill as you plummet, there is the cart and 
the track to guarantee your safety. (Unless you were one of the 
people who thought it was a Sunday drive in Wisconsin kin which case 
you might see my point even more clearly.)Both PS and CoS has a 

Cuaron, on the other hand, is not safe and when he's your guide, you 
are in danger, grave danger. (This impression could be due in part to 
the material in itself naturally, nevertheless POA would have been an 
entirely different affair in Columbus' hands.)There is in Cuarons' 
vision of the WW an underlying instability, threatening to blow up in 
your face at any moment. Although I still feel without reservation 
that PoA is infinitely superior to PS CoS and is the wortk of a true 
artist, I now think I understand those who preferred fairy-tale 
Hogwarts. It was bright and beautiful and ultimately rather safe. 
Cuaron has given us the real deal ,and we are left with no choice but 
to grow up along with Harry. It's bloody brilliant.

Sophia