You have to be really, really into Harry Potter to appreciate this movie. I would not call myself a Potter fanatic, although I did enjoy the earlier movies. So I guess I'm more of a casual fan. And because of all of the favorable reviews I went into the theater with high hopes. Those hopes were dashed.
Not only did the movie not live up to the earlier movies, it was just a 2-1/2 hour segue into the next movie. It was more like an episode of a teen series on the "N" than a real fantasy movie. If you are big-time fan of the Harry Potter world I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Otherwise, don't believe the hype.