This movie was an amazing experience. Emotional, funny, warm, at times scary, always intriguing, and as exciting as anything I've seen on a movie screen. David Yates did a tremendous job of directing; the images leap into your lap, and the pacing is just right: thoughtful and contemplative when it needs to be, as rip-roaring as early Spielberg in just the right spots. And I can't say enough about the acting. Every performance is a gem. This is a 2.5 hour movie, but it felt entirely too short, and when the screen went dark and the credits began to roll, the entire audience cried out, "No!" Because by then things were just heating up. Sadly, we'll have to wait until to July to see how this beautiful fantasy masterpiece wraps up. Better than "The Lord of the Rings."