Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The day before I saw this movie, I watched all the preceding Harry Potter films. Ever since, I have always done a Harry Potter marathon except I no longer watch all the films in one day. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” was very enjoyable to watch and it is the first film in the franchise directed by David Yates, who would make all the remaining films in the saga. I liked his approach and the film story was well adapted considering the fact that the book is the longest in the series. There are some entertaining parts of the story that are left out of the film and that is unfortunate. On the other hand, I understand the reasons behind the filmmakers’ decisions. The use of montage is a well done also.

While reading the book three years before the film was released, I was quite emotionally engaged. The film resurrects similar feelings, which makes it successful. The Ministry of Magic was depicted very much like what I had imagined. The film is less funny than other Harry Potter films but I do laugh at some moments like Warwick Davis’ fist pump. The film does a good job at portraying the character growth of Neville Longbottom, which is vital for the final film. I love the revenge that Harry attains when he reminds Umbridge that he “must not tell lies.” It is a great call back, even though it was not in the novel. I like how the film handles the climax in the Ministry of Magic. As the climax progresses, the confrontations become more dramatic and the action increases. I love the battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore. One part of the novel’s story that I wish could have been incorporated into the film is Dumbledore’s revelation to Harry of the events surrounding the prophecy and how they led to his parents’ death. I like how the story of Voldemort becomes much like the Greek myth of Oedipus (funny enough, Ralph Fiennes has played Oedipus before). I also find it fascinating in the book how the prophecy could have applied to Neville if Voldemort had so chosen. To think of the movie being called “Neville Longbottom and the Order of the Phoenix” is an interesting thought. Because of time however, I understand why this part of the story was left out of the film. David Yates’ direction doesn’t differ too much from Newell’s “Goblet of Fire” and that is very important for the benefit of the series. That should have been a goal for the third film. Yates uses many cinematic elements to great affect in the portrayal of the story. I like the use of montage and editing in the scenes involving Umbridge and Dumbledore’s Army. I also like the montage of newspaper articles for exposition. We are informed of news in the wizarding world outside of Hogwarts. The editing that depicts Harry’s mind is well crafted and the lack of sound immediately following the death of a lead character is powerful. I am pleased with how the Dementors look in this film because in “The Prisoner of Azkaban”, they were too much like ringwraiths. One part of "The Order of the Phoenix" that I feel is quite noteworthy now that we know the ending of the entire saga is a moment between Snape and Harry. At one point duing their last Occlumency session, Snape seems to be distracted by looking closely into Harry's face but he quickly overcomes that by changing the subject and talking about Sirius. I feel that Snape was bothered by Harry's eyes for a moment.

The acting and characters are just as good as in other Harry Potter films. When I was reading the book, I felt like ripping it in half because of the character of Umbridge. I hated her so much that I wanted to express it drastically. I remember Imelda Staunton’s character on “Chicken Run” but her portrayal of Umbridge is something else. Her performance in this movie revived the feelings I had concerning this antagonist pretty well. I am very grateful for that because the movie would not have been entertaining for me if Umbridge was not despicable. My favorite moment of hers is when she slaps Harry. Luna Lovegood is well played by Evanna Lynch and I love the casting of Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange. Carter would later become an Oscar nominee and she brings a touch of “Tim Burton evil” to the Death Eaters. Carter plays a very convincing mad and evil woman. It is the closest portrayal of a stereotypical witch in the entire series and I like that. Matthew Lewis does a great job in depicting the character growth of Neville and Daniel Radcliffe’s portrayal of Harry’s mental agony & turmoil is superb. Finally, this movie contains Emma Thompson's best performance in the franchise. It sometimes makes me cry.

While I like “The Goblet of Fire” a little more, “The Order of the Phoenix” was well created. The editing is a good quality of the film in that it accomplishes the passage of time and the portrayal of a character’s mental torment quite well. Despite the fact that some great story elements are left out, I like the adaption a lot. The acting is just as good as in other Harry Potter films and I enjoy the mood of these latter films in the series.

4.5 Stars