Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

PoP *** 1/2


Owing to production delays, the actors appear to me somewhat older than their presumed 15. However, I did enjoy the film. I did experience a few disappointments as this was the largest of the Harry Potter books. In order to cut it down to the film's 2:18 time, many things had to minimized or eliminated all together.

A central theme of this episode is the attempt by Lord Voldemort, and his followers, to acquire a glass container holding "a prophecy" involving him. In the book, we found out that Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson) was the person that made the prophecy. In this film, she is treated almost as a supernumerary.

As in all the Potter films, the casting of newly introduced characters is fantastic, with Imelda Staunton playing the sadistic Dolores Umbridge, Helena Bonham Carter portraying the mad Bellatrix Lestrange, the cousin of Serius Black (Gary Oldman). Also, we are introduced to Natilia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks and George Harris as Kingsley Shacklebolt.

The pace was good, and the training sessions for Dumbledore's Army were entertaining. It was good to see Neville Longbottom coming of age with his magic. I found the many vertical shots (birds-eye views) distracting.