Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Movie Reviews
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By Mitch Emerson
July 11, 2007 - 09:19

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman
Directed By: David Yates
Produced By: Lionel Wigram, Tanya Seghatchian, Antony Hunt
Genre: Action/Adventure, Kids/Family, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: July 11th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Fun time at Hogwarts has come to an end. With Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) having returned, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and newcomer Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) create the Army of Dumbledore. Training secretly while trying to deal with totalitarian rules imposed by Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor appointed by the Ministry of Magic, Harry and co. try to prepare for a war that no one can be ready for.

Before we start, I want to tell you that i have not read the book OOTP. This will not be a book to movie comparison.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is by far the best of the series. David Yates puts an even darker spin on the popular series than his predecessors. And rightfully so, for when it comes to Lord Voldemort's return, education must come second after preparation for war. Yes there is a difference, just look at Delores Umbridge's method of teaching. All books and no magic make for poor survival skills. Gone is a lot of the fun and games that have given the other films a lighter mood. The action and danger have been ramped up a few notches. The final battle in the film starts as a free for all with spectacular effects as well as an emotional element that could tear Harry apart.

The whole crew is back in some shape or form. So just a few quick notes. Daniel Radcliffe has become quite the actor, giving Harry a new depth through his portrayal of anguish and turmoil. Newcomer Evanna Lynch plays Luna Lovegood with the perfect amount of spaciness. Alan Rickman gets to shine as Severus Snapes in at least one scene. Helena Bonham Carter plays crazy very well. Anybody else think she looks just like she did in Novocaine? Lastly, I would not want to be Imelda Staunton. She plays Delores Umbridge so perfectly annoying that I will bet that she is going to be receiving a ton of hate mail from younger fans. Even I wanted to strangle her.

I know that this review does not do the movie justice. I cannot begin to describe the feelings that this chapter in the story has visited upon me. From the beginning to the end you get foreboding, anxiety, apprehension, exultation and elation but with an underlying knowledge that this is just the beginning of the trials and tribulations for these characters that we have all come to know and love over the past six years. I can't wait until the next one!

Until Harry Potter and the Geriatric Gremlins,
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Mitch E
mitch@comicbookbin.com