Where Newell really scores is in taking a leaf out of Peter Jackson's book and cranking up the fear factor.

For those like me who are outside but sympathetic to the faith, it looks like another handsomely made, good-natured and high-spirited family movie, which is dramatically stymied through being locked within school grounds.

For the first time, adults might actually enjoy a Harry Potter film as much as children.

An underrated submission into the cinematic Harry Potter canon, no doubt, and a thrilling one-off experience from a director who took a swing in multiple manners.