Early fans give fifth Harry Potter movie thumbs up

Twins Metin (left) and Taskin Kayikci, 11, and brother Okan, 8, loved the movie, which they saw at Newmarket. Photo / Glenn Jeffery

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Harry Potter fever is again sweeping the nation with the fifth movie in the series opening yesterday and the final book due for release on July 21.

Auckland cinemas had a few seats to spare in the early morning sessions of Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix but were sold out for the later sessions and some were booked up until Saturday.

Sylvia Park Hoyts attendant Jonathan Adams said the cinema where Harry Potter was showing held 402 people and sessions were filling up fast.

"It's mostly teenagers and adults aged between 20 and 30. They seem excited - it's been the movie that everyone's waiting for," he said.

At the Berkeley Cinema in Mission Bay, manager Lisa Marchi said the moviegoers were mainly children with one parent or grandparent, and a few groups of teenagers.

"They all came at once and were wanting to get in the cinema early," she said. "But I haven't seen any merchandise this year - last year kids dressed up with lightning bolts on their heads."

But three children showed up in Harry Potter outfits with wizard hats at the Takapuna Berkeley, according to customer services manager Chris Hughes.

Fans at the Broadway SkyCity cinema seemed to think they got their money's worth.

Georgina Belgrano, 13, and friend Lucy Martin, 14, said the movie was good.

"But not the same as the books - it missed out a lot," Georgina said.

"I think it's good if you haven't read the books," Lucy said.

"There was some really good acting. It's a lot darker. The first two were quite happy when the kids were young. Now they're older, it gets a lot darker," Georgina said.

"It was scary too," Lucy said.

"Scarier than the last one, with the battle at the end," Georgina said.

Meanwhile Okan Kayikci, 8, and his twin brothers Taskin and Metin, 11, all liked the part involving the Weasley twins and fireworks.

Taskin said: "I liked the scary parts. It was a good length for a movie."

Okan said: "My favourite part was when Harry had to go into the fat lady's office and she wrote 'I must not lie' on his wrist."

Metin said: "You should watch it - it's very enjoyable."

For 18-year-olds Alana McCambridge and Janine Posesione, the movie was better than the last two because Harry was older.

"It wasn't as cheesy," said Janine.

Melanie Rae at Roadshow Films, which distributes the movies, said the company was excited about opening day.