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.
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and Katie Leung as Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
© Warner Bros Pictures
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.
GRADE: B+
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was directed by David Yates and is rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images.
