Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Front and Centre for Dumbledore's Army.

Term 5 at Hogwarts for Harry and the gang and it's a deeply unsettling time. Harry faces getting expelled and finds himself shunned by many around him. This at a time when the Ministry of Magic compounds his misery by insisting to all and sundry that "you know who" is not back again.

Given that JK Rowling's fifth book is considered to be something of a door stopper, a book more of interim Potter filler than any great amount of substance, credit has to go to new to the franchise director, David Yates. For Yates and his screenwriter Michael Goldenberg have managed to craft a briskly entertaining segment in under 2 hours and 20 minutes of film. Yes it's safe to say that it ultimately does feel like an interim filler movie, one that is for fans and not newcomers to the series, but the effects are superb (except Grawp that is), the action is much and suspense is not in short supply. While it also finds Radcliffe as Potter finally hitting his acting stride.

New into the magical fray comes the wonderful Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbrage, the sort of cheery psychotic teacher we all had bad dreams about in our formative years. Also most welcome is Helena Bonham Carter as nut job harpy Bellatrix Le Strange, it's an appetiser of substance and we can't wait to see some more of her from here on in. Of course the usual problem of not enough screen time for the regulars still exists, but it's now become a figure of grumpy acceptance in the grand scheme of Potter World. Neatly keeping the story trimmed of extraneous fat, Yates doesn't disappoint in delivering a last quarter as memorable as any so far in the series. Big rewards await those who wait, because the showdown that crowns Order of Phoenix is a magical mêlée of wands and wonderment; a face off between good and evil, a free for all that joyously assaults the senses.

Roll on Half-Blood Prince, where it's great to know that Yates has been further entrusted with the Harry Potter reins. 7.5/10

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is another solid entry into the series with fantastically high stakes, production value, and emotional scenes that leave a lasting impact.

From the beginning minutes, the movie is doubling down on the dark tone the previous two began to establish. The threat of Voldemort still looms, but it is incredibly frustrating that no one seems to believe Harry and Dumbledore. That frustration is perfectly mirrored with Harry as he grows incredibly angry throughout the film, paralleling his connection with the Dark Lord. This more mature and seasoned Potter is a highlight, and his leadership begins to take center stage as he organizes his classmates to train to fight against the dark arts. These scenes are some of my favorites in the film.

This entry expands on the wizarding world with the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix. The Ministry of Magic is terrible in this film, they are completely mad and delusional to accept any other explanation for the events that have taken place in the previous entries. This is none more present than the introduction of Mrs. Umbridge. She is the worst, and Imelda Staunton does an excellent job of being the worst. I hated her throughout the entire film and every one of her sly smiles was like nails on a chalkboard. Safe to say her finale was oh-so-satisfying.

The ending is slightly rushed, but the action is fantastic. It was a bit unbelievable that a group of students could face the Death Eaters by themselves, but the movie addressed the criticism when the Order came to save the day. I do have to say, the death scene of Sirius Black was pretty anti-climactic. The hit he takes happens so fast and he gingerly falls back into the portal never to be seen again, it did not have the resolution I would have hoped for with him being such an influential person in Harry's life. Plus, his limited screen time in the series draws back the effectiveness of his death. Despite that, the special effects in the Dumbledore and Voldemort battle were spectacular and unique, a brilliant way to cap off the film. Especially with the ending shot of Cornelius Fudge just realizing "He's Back"

Overall, this is a slow movie with a limited amount of action. But the world-building and character development are some of the best in the series. It is not going to be everyone's favorite, but it was a great addition, even though the rewatchability is not that high.

Score: 85% |
Verdict Great

"Harry" has an extra-curricular experience with a "Dementor" which draws the attention of the newly rejuvenated Ministry of Magic and after a show trial in which he is ably defended by "Prof. Dumbledore" our trio return to a school that is all but under martial law. A new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher (a rather Margaret Thatcher-esque Imelda Staunton) is taking over the school by degree, imposing strict rules that merely serve to encourage the pupils to go underground to learn the more practical skills that will be needed if they are ever to face and defeat the evil "Voldemort". All of the characters from the previous stories are now knitting together much better; I still miss Richard Harris as "Dumbledore" but Stauton is as magnificently evil as Emma Thompson is wonderfully pathetic and we have a cracking battle at the end. Our wizards are now fully cognisant of the dangers they face and have a much clearer idea of the enemy, too. David Yates does better, I think, in condensing this super-long novel into one film; again a two-parter would probably have done better justice to the detail and nuances of the JK Rowling story; but we get more than enough of the gist of the story to make do. Great stuff.

# Film: *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*

**12A | 2007 | Fantasy/Adventure | 2h 18m**

**Director:** David Yates

**Screenplay by:**
Michael Goldenberg

**Review writer: Dr Usman Latif Khawaja**

**Based on:**
*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix*
by J. K. Rowling

**Produced by:**
• David Heyman
• David Barron

**Starring:**
• Daniel Radcliffe
• Rupert Grint
• Emma Watson
• Helena Bonham Carter
• Robbie Coltrane
• Warwick Davis
• Ralph Fiennes
• Michael Gambon
• Brendan Gleeson
• Richard Griffiths
• Jason Isaacs
• Gary Oldman
• Alan Rickman
• Fiona Shaw
• Maggie Smith
• Imelda Staunton
• David Thewlis
• Emma Thompson
• Julie Walters

**Cinematography:**
Sławomir Idziak

**Edited by:**
Mark Day

**Music by:**
Nicholas Hooper

**Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

**PLOT:** ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

**PERFORMANCE:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

**MUSIC:** ⭐⭐☆☆☆

**CINEMATOGRAPHY:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

# A FINE MESS WITH FIENNES

**IF YOU WANT TO WATCH AN OVERLONG TRAILER FOR THE FINALE, THEN THIS WILL DO.**

Otherwise, this is the most dissatisfying part in the franchise based on the Rowling saga. Even though the 7th episode is coming out on Saturday, it promises to be the best. As for this, it has **surreal sets** and great acting, as the kids have grown up with the technology to create a seditious and seductive Part 6, but it is let down by a very clumsy ending with Voldemort and Harry fighting it out in a climax which is marred by the intervention of Dumbledore and **Helena Bonham Carter** as the escapee from Azkaban. She looks awful and acts even worse, but gratefully is on screen for about 120 seconds in all. If you blink, you will miss her, as well as Fiennes.

Well, the story involves a new **Professor Umbridge at Hogwarts** \[Imelda Staunton\], who is sent to reform the school by the Ministry of Magic. She tries to discipline the pupils, who are being taught magic secretly by Potter, who insists Voldemort is ready to strike again but is not believed by the adults.

At the same time, Harry's mind is playing games upon itself as Voldemort \[Ralph Fiennes in a cameo\] tries to take it over, while Umbridge tries desperately to stop Harry from forming the Order of Phoenix and the team to prepare to fight against the return of Voldemort. The tutelage continues in the halls under Harry's austere leadership, with a delightful kiss between him and Katie as a treat for the kids. At the same time, Umbridge is up to her tricks, and this part entertains as Dumbledore rebels and is replaced by her as the new headmaster.

The idea of **discipline** and going back to the **traditional old ways** is the message here, but it seems it is not working, as Imelda's ideas of separating the females from male students and putting an end to all magic pranks by the kids are ardently rejected by the kids in a great sequence while the examinations are on their way.

The fireworks created by the twins, with the giant clock ticking away as the young magicians applaud during the **OWL examination**, are definitely worth applauding, as is the flying bird created in the classroom from paper, reduced to cinders by Umbridge. But the fight in the climax was disappointing, to say the least.

I myself find you cannot discipline anybody, particularly kids, by force or punishment nowadays, and that is what Rowling is saying here too. Though it takes a long time, and even longer for Potter to convince the others that Voldemort is back, this is rather baffling, as Cedric died in the last episode at the hands of the evil lord. But it is vehemently denied by everyone, much to my amusement, but also my confusion as to why the **Ministry of Magic** suddenly turns so anti-magic.

The message of **reform just for the sake of reformation** is very well given in a very effective manner and is admirable, as it is needed globally, for we see people insisting on reform and going back to tradition for really selfish reasons.

The rest you can see on screen if you don't know already, but the pluses outweigh the minuses. The lavish surreal sets are absolutely enchanting, as well as the flying over the city of London at night over **Canary Wharf** and under the **Blackfriars Bridge**. It's a magical ride, as is the city of Hogwarts, which looks as magnificent as ever with its gargoyles and live paintings, as well as the addition of live **Wedgwood plates** with **living kittens**, who are delightful as Professor Umbridge's pets.

And with the addition of an **adorable giant**, who I hope we will get to see in Part 7 more, as well as the centaurs who carry off Umbridge in a really funny scene.

The acting is the hallmark of the Potter series, and here it's better than ever. All the kids act as well as the adults, who are superb as well, from **Sirius \[Gary Oldman\]** to **Imelda Staunton** to Maggie Smith, as is Julie Walters. I am really surprised by **Radcliffe's** maturity, and he has grown into a fine talent, unlike Natalie Portman from the *Star Wars* saga, who is so mediocre.

Dumbledore is stylish as always, but I find **Fiennes** not so frightening with his bald pate, white face, minus a nose, and that funny accent. He's played villains in the past, like the Nazi shooting Jews in the head in *Schindler's List*, but here, if he is trying to frighten the children, let me assure you he was not successful. He will have to resort to some other trick to do so in Part 7, and that does promise to be a treat.

As for this, it's a teaser trailer and nothing more. It's not satisfying and gives you a feeling of a good starter with the main meal gone astray.

Still, definitely worth a look, as the sets and acting are great, and it's definitely better than *Fantastic Four* and *Die Hard 4*. As for *Shrek the Third*, let's forget it even happened.

Enjoy, but curb your expectations.

Thanks for reading.