Reviews of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Out of The Ashes, Greatness is reborn!

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago on 23 September 2008 06:16 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

''I want you to listen to me very carefully, Harry. You're not a bad person. You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to. Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.''

With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return frowned and discarded by many, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat in the shape of Umbridge slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.

Daniel Radcliffe: Harry Potter

I thoroughly enjoyed the Phoenix installment of the Harry Potter films. I followed Harry Potter's story through JK Rowlings books but my fondness for the material extended to its interpretations on film. All directors, for the most part, have done well (special mention for Alfonso Cuaron's Prisoner of Azkaban). But I must say, David Yates has taken the translation and interpretation of Harry's story in this installment to a whole new level of perfect entertainment and fantasy proportions, elaborating a great sense of wonderment for the two remaining films to follow.

There is so much I obtained from Order of the Phoenix, the performances were outstanding and it features three of my fave acting counterparts. Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman & Helen Bonham Carter together is a heavenly miracle on film.
Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort really excels even more so this time than he had in his one scene in Goblet of Fire. His rasping tones and slippery snake-like ways, even his evil laughter and menacing hairless eye brow raise is perfect. This man truly asserts himself as a pure talent and for that reason I love any film Ralph does. Ralph Fiennes has played a villain or hero with equal magnificence, and here he plays the Darkest fantasy bad ass since Rings or even Sci-Fi's Sith in Star Wars.
Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix also excels even though shes not in it too much, she leaves a burning impression for these wonderous roles she participates in. Like Sweeney Todd her fantasy/Period films are delicious and dark.
Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, also after Prisoner of Azkaban, is settled in his role and his chemistry with Daniel Radcliffe is effortlessly believable. Was also particularly pleased Oldman & Fiennes have a scene together, plus Helena & Oldman in that fast paced climactic wand duel was fantastic.

Ok going on to Dan Radcliffe as the lead, the fabled Harry Potter, is maturing, and his emulation of Harry's internal trauma and outward frustration is a marvel, he really does the character of Harry justice.
Imelda Stuanton is a treasure as Dolores Umbrige. Her plastic smiles and giggles have to be seen to be believed. Imelda displays incredible range as an actress and captures the character of Dolores to a 't', pardon the pun.
Also, one of my favourite female character from the book, Luna Lovegood - is a treat to behold!
Evanna Lynch, an avid fan of the books and Luna, made her touch my heart on the screen!
Emma Watson and Rupert Grint give their performances some great heart, and it is easy to see the sweet romance in Hermoine and Ron's future.
Alan Rickman has captured the character of Severus Snape yet again.
Any fan of the books knows how important his character becomes to the conclusion of the Harry Potter story, but quite honestly, Snape has been a continually pleasure to watch in all the Harry Potter films. He barely speaks in this and is sidelined but leaves an impression regardless, it's obvious he's being saved for the next film where his big break comes.

There were funny moments scattered amidst the dark ones, and they felt very natural,well-timed with excellent editing. Many of the adult characters stay in the background, and the focus is kept on Harry and his friends fighting Voldemort (Including Umbrige at one point) in their own extra-special way.
Harry starts to teach defensive spells to any and every student that believes his story, and it's very exciting seeing many seemingly background characters (looking at Neville Longbottom in particular considering the prophecy) suddenly grow in depth and importance.

The Order of the Phoenix is introduced briefly, then kept hidden for much of the film, making a dramatic entrance in the film's final scenes, a thrilling face-off that occurs when Lord Voldemort finally decides to come out and wreak havoc!

David Yates' direction really gives the film a sense of momentum and gloomy dread. Watching intently you begin to realize the Potter story is about to get very very adult, and very dark.

Was inspired from the tension I felt watching the film, as several adult characters would quietly confess to Harry "it feels like it did before..." Yates grabs hold of that feeling and doesn't let it go for the entire duration of Phoenix.

Even after the jaw-dropping climax of Order of the Phoenix vs. Voldemort's Death Eaters, then the epic battle of Dumbledore vs. Voldemort, you feel that this is not the end of troubles to come for Harry, Dumbledore and company...not by far.

The war between good and evil has officially kicked off in Phoenix, and even though it has one pivotal sad occurrence by its end, the ending still cleverly retains a positive and vibrant glow that has you aching for the next film, Half Blood Prince will be highly sought after by me, and Phoenix one of the best of the series so far.

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With talent comes improvement

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago on 15 September 2008 02:41 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

While this is not my favorite of the series, after Goblet of Fire, it was by far a vast improvement. The kids felt like they were having fun again, they got in (almost) enough of the story to make up for the lack in the previous two movies, and they didn't cut out anything vital this time around.

Umbridge was perfect, and we saw just enough without having to suffer too much. The twins exit was stupendous. And the Order was nice.

I would have liked to have seen the Quidditch match--any of them. For me, you can't have Harry without Quidditch being in there somewhere, and this one had a decided lack of it. I could definitely have done without Cho, though. But that's more a matter of personal taste.

It was lovely to see how much Daniel has grown up, especially after his experiences with Equus in London. Of course, at the time of filming, they hadn't actually started showing yet, but you can see that he'd already been working out--he just looks wonderful. Whatever else the creators of this team have done, they did one thing right in hiring him.

I look forward to seeing where the next film will land.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix review

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago on 10 September 2008 03:20 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

This was definitely my favorite of the harry potter films to have come out so far. It was intense, dark, stood alone well without the book, and definitely got me excited to see the next one. Loved it :)

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The actors get better each time around

Posted : 1 year, 8 months ago on 20 April 2008 09:45 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

The great advantage of keeping your main cast together for (presumably) the whole movie series is that they get more comfortable with their characters as the go on. With the Harry Potter movies, it's paid off handsomely. The acting in the fourth (Goblet of Fire) and fifth (this one) movies has been the best of the series.

The thankfully got rid of Chris Columbus as director after the first two clunkers and started to take a few more liberties with the story. Slavishly following the books led to two pretty dull movies, that I could really have done without. Although, it must be said that the directors that came later had the advantage of experienced actors and less effort required for character development.

Looking forward to the remaining movies.

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More wooden than the Mayflower

Posted : 2 years, 1 month ago on 15 November 2007 06:15 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

I think there is a tendency to over-rate the Harry Potter films, as most of us have fallen in love with the story. The previous films had a rushed feel about them, but none more so than this. A great deal of the original plot has been completely rewritten and the whole film was so rushed I felt like I was being shunted down a underground escalator. The casting however is superb, Imelda Staunton and Natalia Tena particularly were perfect new additions. The crux of the story is however maintained and still encaptivating. However even this is undermined by the odd piece of wooden child acting that shakes me to the core. Adapting novels(especially lengthy ones)to film will always be filled with such pitfuls, and all considered it has been adapted here as best as it can. If nothing else the special effects will amaze you.

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Surprisingly good

Posted : 2 years, 3 months ago on 18 September 2007 12:42 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

A lot better than i expected for sure! Before seeing this i was not interested in hp at all, i used to love it, but i started to think it was a bit stupid.
But, i am VERY glad i saw this! My friend is obsessed, and im glad she convinsed me to go with her and see it.
Its if not the most, one of the most sucessful movies in fiilm history. And this movie got me back in to the 'HP buzz'
The fighting scene at the end with Voldemort and Dumbeldore was way cool! I wish it went for longer.

Although it was a while ago that iread the book, it was clear that they cut out a LOT of stuff from the book. Order of the Pheonix is the longest book, but the shortest film out of the series.
Daniel, Emma and Rupert are getting old, definetly noticable, soon they will be looking way lod to play their characters, buut the films just wouldnt be the same without them.
Two thumbs right up!
Oh, and, just want to say, i HATE Umbridge or whatever her name is ....



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Siriusly!

Posted : 2 years, 3 months ago on 4 September 2007 07:53 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

It wasn't my favourite book in the series (exception being Neville's awesomeness at the end) but I did enjoy it as a movie.

There was bits missing, timing issues, etc. blah blah blah. It's a Harry Potter movie for pete's sake! It's something we have to live with due to the length of the books.

I could do the 5hr extended director's/how it should be cut. Then the majority would be bitching about how long it was!

I don't care if you didn't like it, I did! THE END!

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix review

Posted : 2 years, 5 months ago on 11 July 2007 08:59 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

Full of angst and with a darker tone from other installments, Harry has really grown up. Excellent performances from all the characters, Radcliffe especially.

Though the movie gets off to a slow start, it picks up pace setting the scene for a terrific standoff. The Order of the Phoenix is easily my favorite of the whole series.

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix review

Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 3 June 2007 11:11 (A review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)

moze to byt dobryyy film :D

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