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Harry Potter Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
4/5
R E V I E W   B Y   R I C H   C L I N E dir David Yates
scr Michael Goldenberg
with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis, Katie Leung, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw
release US 11.Jul.07, UK 12.Jul.07
07/UK Warner 2h18
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Secret society: Grint, Radcliffe and Watson

staunton gambon oldman
fiennes rickman smith

THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (2001)
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (2002)
THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004)
THE GOBLET OF FIRE (2005)
THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009) THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (2010)
THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2 (2011)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry continues to grow up in this darker and more action-oriented fifth film. The story is told with bracing efficiency and clever humour, and features solid acting from the expanding cast.

It's year five at Hogwarts, and Harry (Radcliffe) is the subject of a smear campaign claiming that he's lying about the return of Lord Voldemort (Fiennes). His friends Ron and Hermoine (Grint and Watson) believe him, as do a group of students who gather in secret to practice defending themselves against evil attacks, since the meddling new Dark Arts teacher (Staunton) is only teaching theory. Meanwhile, the secretive Order of the Phoenix continues to fight Voldemort's evil gang of Death Eaters. And the ensuing battle looks likely to seriously upset the school year.

This episode of the story is firmly set in modern-day Britain, with the backdrop of high-rise London and the growing threat of terror, which will build right through the final two films in the series. As Harry matures, so do the films, and this story focuses on ethics and personal responsibility, loyal friendships and developing the ability to discern between true good and evil, regardless of the faces they show. Pretty serious stuff for what's considered a kids' movie.

The central trio of actors is increasingly solid, with newcomer Lynch (as the quirky Luna) adding an intriguing wrinkle to the group. As the adult cast grows, their roles are limited to key scenes, but each gets a chance in the spotlight. The exception is Staunton, whose character takes over the school and walks off with the film. Her smiling, pink-clad, kitten-loving villainess will surely become a cinematic icon, and her performance is awards-worthy.

Without the bracing artistry of Alfonso Cuarón's Prisoner of Azkaban or the raucous energy of Mike Newell's Goblet of Fire, this more straightforward thriller focuses on inner emotions and disturbing revelations. The effects work is superb, although some animated characters are a little iffy. But the script is loaded with witty asides and sharp observations, as well as encounters that are genuinely thrilling and surprisingly touching. The final sequence in the Ministry of Magic is simply jaw-dropping, and bodes extremely well for Yates' continuing work on part six.

cert 12 themes, violence 19.Jun.07

R E A D E R   R E V I E W S
send your review to Shadows... Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix michelle, Newbury Park, London: 3/5 "I know you can't fit everything that's in a book into a film but the subtleties of the story were missed. I have to say I was disappointed. It was a shame that the majority of characters only got snatches of screen time. That said, Luna was a welcome addition and Umbridge was excellent in her malevolence. I did feel that the animation of Grawp was particularly poor. Harry's angst was felt throughout the film and you could definitely feel the story building up getting ready for the future darker stories but the final showdown scenes were somewhat anticlimatic. Still, it was enjoyable to watch but not as good as the hype or the book - shame." (2.Aug.07)
© 2007 by Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
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