For me this movie was a much needed breath of fresh air shot into the Harry Potter franchise. They cut back on special effects and while some might think that would take away the "magic" it actually added to it. It made all the efforts that were in it seem more real and more NATURAL. Because after all, for those at Hogwarts magic IS a way of life.
The character development was spot on although there were definitely some key moments I was really hoping would make it from book to screen that didn't. That's the way it goes in film adaptations.