Even though you know what’s coming, the latest chapter in the HP saga still manages to appeal and enthrall by dint of an all pervading sense of menace throughout. It’s a huge cliché to say that each film is darker than the last, but here the villains – often played previously as pantomime moustache-twirlers – finally blossom into genuine threats, their evil casual and malicious and all the better for it. Throughout, there’s a real feeling that any of the leads could perish in an instant and despite Rowling’s occasional use of magic to neatly sidestep painting herself into a corner (Ron’s poisoning a case in point), fans hardened and casual will find some genuine, edge-of-seat moments to enjoy here.
