*** 1/2 (3.5 Stars)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Genre: Fantasy
138 minutes - PG13 Rating
Director: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and more
Brief Plot: Harry's return to Hogwarts for his fifth year is gloomy as can be. Few believe his claim that Lord Voldemort has returned to power and the introduction of Delores Umbridge to Hogwarts school (as mandated by the Ministry of Magic) causes danger at the school. Umbridge does not teach or allow students to learn practical magic for defense against the dark arts. More and more her influence causes the school the change. Harry forms and underground organization called Dumbledore's Army and along with Ron and Hermione train fellow students for the inevitable attack by Voldemort. Harry models this group after the Order of the Phoenix, a group Dumbledore formerly created to fight Voldemort 'the first time'. When Harry has a dream about Sirius Black being tortured he and his friends rush to save him, prompting a showdown with Death Eaters and a shocking finish.
Best Audience: Teens or mature tweens and any older fan of the book series or movies, or just anyone who likes a good fantasy or action flick.
My Review: The fifth installment of the Harry Potter franchise was another step in the development and maturation of the film series. Young director David Yates (who has most of his experience filming tv movies) was a surprise at director. In a way I feel that he brings less to the table than some of the directors of the previous Potter franchise (personally I felt Goblet of Fire's Mike Newell did a better job). All the same, Yates surpassed my expectations in providing character development and overseeing a good script. He also has many talented actors who are able to save the show. Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint continue to get better as they grow older in the roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron, respectively. But I think their performances are overshadowed by the veteran acting experience of Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Jason Isaacs and new cast members Helena Bonham Carter (playing frightening Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange) and Imelda Staunton as Delores Umbridge. Staunton's Umbridge is played with sweet evilness, it drives you crazy, believe me, and that is why her acting was so good, it just gets that reaction from you. Perhaps the most well-done part of the movie was the flashback to Snape's younger days when Harry's father James and a young Sirius Black pick on him ruthlessly. It is this, along with good character development between Harry and Sirius that made the plot for me. This was much more important than all the hype about Harry's kiss with Cho Chang, which I almost found myself laughing at. The visual effects were excellent, and overall this installment in the Potter franchise was quite entertaining, even for casual fans, though I can't speak for book-lovers. Not the best Potter, in my mind, but still good and it will be interesting to see what Yates does in Half-Blood Prince due out in winter of 2008.
