Genres: Adventure | Drama | Family | Fantasy Countries: UK | USA Actors: Daniel Radcliffe Harry Potter Rupert Grint Ron Weasley Emma Watson Hermione Granger Helena Bonham Carter Bellatrix Lestrange Robbie Coltrane Rubeus Hagrid Ralph Fiennes Lord Voldemort Michael Gambon Albus Dumbledore Brendan Gleeson Alastor \'Mad­Eye\' Moody Richard Griffiths Uncle Vernon Jason Isaacs Lucius Malfoy Gary Oldman Sirius Black Alan Rickman Severus Snape Fiona Shaw Aunt Petunia Maggie Smith Minerva McGonagall Imelda Staunton Dolores Umbridge Directors: David Yates IMDB Rating: 7 out of 10 (64586 votes)

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Whizzing by at a fleet 131 minutes, fortunately for HP fans everywhere the film version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix doesn’t feel like a pared-down Cliff Notes version of J K Rowling’s story but instead like a showcase of the best moments (minus the Quidditch) from Rowling’s fifth novel.

The series has already ventured into deeper, darker territory, but with Order of the Phoenix – the fifth of seven movies – there’s more dark than light in the lives of our favorite Hogwarts students. The kid wizards are growing up and in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix maturity and approaching adulthood are coming frightfully fast and at quite a price.

The Story

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opens with Harry still at the dreaded Dursleys and bored to tears at being cooped up in the land of Muggles. But everything abruptly changes when Harry and his cousin Dudley are attacked by the soul-sucking dementors who are definitely not supposed to be anywhere near Pivot Drive. The only way Harry’s able to save himself and Dudley is by using magic, something forbidden outside of Hogwarts. News of his use of magic travels at the speed of light to the Ministry of Magic and Harry soon receives notice that he’s been expelled from school.

Thanks to some timely intervention by Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) Harry’s spared expulsion, but that doesn’t do much to lighten his spirits. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has been haunting his dreams and Harry’s sure He Who Must Not Be Named is close by. Meanwhile Harry, Hermione, Ron and a good portion of the Weasley clan have taken up residence in Harry’s godfather’s place. Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has provided a meeting place for the Order of the Phoenix, a top secret group made up of some of the most powerful wizards and aurors (otherwise known as dark wizard catchers) whose mission it is to battle Voldemort.

The Acting

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have grown up in front of our eyes as the stars of the Harry Potter movies. As each actor has blossomed physically, their acting skills have also blossomed. Radcliffe in particular has turned into a fine performer who should be able to tackle roles outside of the HP universe without any problem.

The supporting players are many in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but unfortunately for fans of the colorful characters who make up the Order of the Phoenix not much time is spent on anyone outside of the Hogwarts group. David Thewlis and Brendan Gleeson are seen very briefly, flitting in and out of the picture along with half a dozen other Harry Potter characters including Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley (she’s in the background but never in the spotlight).

There are a few standouts from the supporting ensemble. New cast member Evanna Lynch, a huge Harry Potter fan who won the role over thousands of would-be Luna Lovegood’s, is exactly how I pictured her from the books. Even her voice sounds a little looney, which is totally appropriate for the part. Helena Bonham Carter makes quite an impression as one of Voldemort’s most obedient followers and, of course, Ralph Fiennes is at his fiendish best as Lord Voldemort. But the real scene stealer of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake). The saying ‘pretty in pink’ in no way describes Staunton’s wardrobe choices as the ruthless teacher Dolores Umbridge. Smiling and laughing and dripping pink from the top of her head to her tippy toes, Staunton is one of the series’ best over-the-top villains.

The Bottom Line

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban remains my favorite film of the series, but now that I’ve actually read the Harry Potter books (or I should say listened to Jim Dale’s excellent narration on the unabridged CDs) between the Goblet of Fire film and this one, I can really appreciate Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Although it’s a little scattered and some plot points go by so quickly they may not be caught by those who haven’t read the books, it’s still one of the better Harry Potter movies.

If there’s one major fault with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix it’s how much of the book had to be sacrificed in order to bring the story in at a relatively quick 131 minutes. No Quidditch which means no chants of “Weasley is our king,” not much focus on any of the Hogwarts teachers (Alan Rickman as Professor Snape is given what seems like no more than 10 minutes of total screen time), and one of the more intriguing characters of the fifth book plays a very, very minor role in the movie. It’s totally understandable that not all of the minutia from the novel could make it into the film, but losing good portions of the sidestories makes for a slightly unfulfilling experience. But the much ballyhooed kiss survived the cut so fans will get to see Harry deliver his first passionate kiss.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sets up the next film more so than any other of the previous stories has led into the next edition, and that makes the fifth film of the series one of the most important. The fifth film comes out just days before the final book and when Rowling’s final visit to the world of Hogwarts and wizards comes to an end with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows we’ll know which of our favorite characters have survived and will live on to fight the good fight. But for those who only know the Harry Potter universe by way of the films, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix sets up well the tone of the next movie and prepares viewers for even more chilling events to come with the sixth and seventh movies.

Definitely not one to take the kiddies to, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a coming of age story that’s gritty and complicated. The effects are first-rate and under David Yates’ direction the young cast delivers yet again. And although evil is afoot, the film still manages to be a magically entertaining visit to the land of wizards and Muggles.

Rebecca Murray
Hollywood Movies Guide

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