Alas! The fifth Harry Potter film has arrived. The time is long past that
this can be considered a simple "children's" series--though children and adults
alike will enjoy it immensely. Starting off from the dark and tragic ending of
the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix begins in a somber
and angst-filled tone that carries through the entire 138 minutes (the shortest
of any HP movie despite being adapted from the longest book). Hopes of winning
the Quidditch Cup have been replaced by woes like government corruption,
distorted media spin, and the casualties of war. As the themes have matured, so
have the primary characters' acting abilities. Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione
(Emma Watson), and especially Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) are more convincing than
ever--in roles that are more demanding.
Harry is deeply traumatized from having witnessed Cedric Diggory's murder, but
he will soon find that this was just another chapter in the continuing loss he
will endure. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned and, in an attempt to
conceal this catastrophe from the wizarding public, the Ministry of Magic has
teamed up with the wizard newspaper The Daily Prophet to smear young Potter and
wise Dumbledore (Michael Gambon)--seemingly the only two people in the public
eye who believe the Dark Lord has returned. With no one else to stand against
the wicked Death Eaters, the Hogwarts headmaster is forced to revive his secret
anti-Voldemort society, the Order of the Phoenix. This welcomes back characters
like Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson), kind Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), fatherly
Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), and insidious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), and
introduces a short list of intriguing new faces. In the meantime, a
semi-psychotic bureaucrat from the Ministry (brilliantly portrayed by Imelda
Staunton) has seized power at Hogwarts, and Harry is forced to form a secret
society of his own--lest the other young wizards at his school be left
ill-equipped to defend themselves in the looming war between good and evil. In
addition, Harry is filled with an inexplicable rage that only his Godfather
Sirius seems to be able to understand.
This film, though not as frightening as its predecessor, earns its PG-13 rating
mostly because of the ever-darkening tone. As always, the loyal fans of J.K.
Rowling's books will suffer huge cuts from the original plot and character
developments, but make no mistake: this is a good movie. --Jordan Thompson
Product Description
Lord Voldemort has returned, but few want to believe it. In fact, the Ministry
of Magic is doing everything it can to keep the wizarding world from knowing the
truth - including appointing Ministry official Dolores Umbridge as the new
Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. When Professor Umbridge
refuses to train her students in practical defensive magic, a select group of
students decides to learn on their own. With Harry Potter as their leader, these
students (who call themselves "Dumbledore's Army") meet secretly in a hidden
room at Hogwarts to hone their wizarding skills in preparation for battle with
the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. . New adventure - more dangerous , more
thrilling than ever - is yours in this enthralling film version of the fifth
novel in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. A terrifying showdown between good
and evil awaits. Prepare for battle!