I am an avid reader of the Harry Potter series and a faithful fan of the movie versions. This means that I am concurrently critical and complimentary toward "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." I love seeing the magic of the book brought to the big screen, but at the same time I miss the details that the directors or editors fail to include (although I realize that this particular book in the Harry Potter series is over 800 pages, and to fit all that into one movie would be asking a bit much).
"Phoenix" starts with a bang, and we are treated to a full-action sequence only about five minutes into the film. From there things get a little muddy, as the many details and/or facts are left to be discerned by the viewer with often only one line of dialogue for explanation: In the book version, when Harry uses magic outside of Hogwarts, he receives at least three communications from the Wizarding world regarding his punishment. First a letter that informs him he's been expelled. Then letters from Ron Weasley's father and Sirius Black, telling him to stay put and that his expulsion has been put on hold until after a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic. In the movie, Harry receives one letter (the expulsion from Hogwarts), and then in practically the next scene he is rescued from the Dursleys's by the Order of the Phoenix. During the rescue, Kingsley Shacklebolt mentions off-handedly that Harry's expulsion is not definite. If you aren't listening closely, you'll miss it.
If you haven't read the book version, there will be a lot of those moments in the movie. If you have read the book, you may be like me, wishing things had been explored further. Nymphadora Tonks (Sirius's relation), is a wonderful character in the book and her part in the movie (played by the lovely Natalia Tena) is too fleeting. Remus Lupin, who was a main character in book and movie three ("Prisoner of Azkaban") suddenly appears in "Phoenix" and not much is mentioned of his return. Percy Weasley, who has estranged himself from the rest of his family and is helping Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in his crusade against Dumbledore, also briefly appears in one scene mid-way through the movie, and then is never seen again. Luna Lovegood (played by Potter newcomer Evanna Lynch) is an engaging character, but she seems almost like she's just in the movie for show rather than substance.
On to the positive: The effects in this movie are stupendous. I felt transported watching Harry and the Order of the Phoenix members flying broomsticks past Buckingham Palace. The climax of the movie (Dumbledore and Voldemort battling in the Ministry of Magic) was worth the price of admission alone. Some of the set designs were direct from the pages of the book: Dolores Umbridge's office, the family tree tapestry in Sirius's house, Harry's disciplinary hearing and the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic.
Imelda Staunton's portrayal of Dolores Umbridge was right on the money. And Helena Bonham Carter, who played the insane Bellatrix Lestrange, was unrecognizable as she was so dedicated to her role. I am also amazed at how Daniel Radcliffe's acting has progressed year by year as these movies have been released. This is not a boy who was just cast into the lead role because his features were similar to how Harry Potter has been described in the books.
I would recommend this movie. Overall, I would recommend reading the book first and then seeing the movie. I would say out of the five Harry Potter movies that have been released, I would probably rate this as the first or second best.
"Phoenix" starts with a bang, and we are treated to a full-action sequence only about five minutes into the film. From there things get a little muddy, as the many details and/or facts are left to be discerned by the viewer with often only one line of dialogue for explanation: In the book version, when Harry uses magic outside of Hogwarts, he receives at least three communications from the Wizarding world regarding his punishment. First a letter that informs him he's been expelled. Then letters from Ron Weasley's father and Sirius Black, telling him to stay put and that his expulsion has been put on hold until after a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic. In the movie, Harry receives one letter (the expulsion from Hogwarts), and then in practically the next scene he is rescued from the Dursleys's by the Order of the Phoenix. During the rescue, Kingsley Shacklebolt mentions off-handedly that Harry's expulsion is not definite. If you aren't listening closely, you'll miss it.
If you haven't read the book version, there will be a lot of those moments in the movie. If you have read the book, you may be like me, wishing things had been explored further. Nymphadora Tonks (Sirius's relation), is a wonderful character in the book and her part in the movie (played by the lovely Natalia Tena) is too fleeting. Remus Lupin, who was a main character in book and movie three ("Prisoner of Azkaban") suddenly appears in "Phoenix" and not much is mentioned of his return. Percy Weasley, who has estranged himself from the rest of his family and is helping Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in his crusade against Dumbledore, also briefly appears in one scene mid-way through the movie, and then is never seen again. Luna Lovegood (played by Potter newcomer Evanna Lynch) is an engaging character, but she seems almost like she's just in the movie for show rather than substance.
On to the positive: The effects in this movie are stupendous. I felt transported watching Harry and the Order of the Phoenix members flying broomsticks past Buckingham Palace. The climax of the movie (Dumbledore and Voldemort battling in the Ministry of Magic) was worth the price of admission alone. Some of the set designs were direct from the pages of the book: Dolores Umbridge's office, the family tree tapestry in Sirius's house, Harry's disciplinary hearing and the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic.
Imelda Staunton's portrayal of Dolores Umbridge was right on the money. And Helena Bonham Carter, who played the insane Bellatrix Lestrange, was unrecognizable as she was so dedicated to her role. I am also amazed at how Daniel Radcliffe's acting has progressed year by year as these movies have been released. This is not a boy who was just cast into the lead role because his features were similar to how Harry Potter has been described in the books.
I would recommend this movie. Overall, I would recommend reading the book first and then seeing the movie. I would say out of the five Harry Potter movies that have been released, I would probably rate this as the first or second best.