Will read through the rest of the thread afterwarRAB.. just thought I'd comment now because I was the one that said that.
That isn't what I meant. I still believe that the later films portray the magical feel, because obviously there's spells and potions galore.. what I meant was that I feel PS had a much more magical feeling to it. As in, the sets and costumes and script just seemed much more warm and cosy and well magical.
I understand that the films will get darker, it's all part and parcel of the appeal of the series for me. I just feel as if everything Chris Columbus did was ruined by missing vital parts out that could have easily been adapted to still include that fantastic feeling of Hogwarts.
The very nature of the later books, because of their length, means that they have to remain very plot driven (despite what I thought of OotP).. there is no time to stop and marvel at moving staircases, or cosy fires in the common room, or Butterbeers in Hogsmeade.
This is what I'm most disappointed with; the disregard for the vital elements that the Wizarding World demanRAB but cannot be met in 2 and a half hours.
But, that's book adaptations for you...