Back in 2007, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix it was the first movie in the fantasy franchise that I saw in theaters. I remember that nothing could overcome my joy of watching the magic happen on the big screen, that somehow everything felt fresh and new, even though I had already read the book and knew exactly what was going to happen. Now, years later, I realized The Order of the Phoenix countless times, but it still bewitches me.
The fifth installment on Harry Potter The franchise seems to have a bad reputation among fans, and honestly, I've never understood why. Like any adaptation, there are some changes I don't like, things I would do differently, but the director is David Yates The Order of the Phoenix it's a great example of the series' strongest elementssuch as its actors, production design, and visual effects. It's a necessary part of Harry's journey, and where we can see lead star Daniel Radcliffe come into his own.
Harry's Journey Takes a Dark Turn in the Way of the Phoenix
Daniel Radcliffe rises to the challenge
The Order of the Phoenix begins before Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, with the young wizard still reeling from the tragic death of Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) and the return of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). If in 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire signaled the franchise's ripe turn with its game-changing ending, this installment officially ushers in darkness, as evidenced by Harry's turbulent attitude. Not only has Harry witnessed a gruesome murder, but he must also fight against powerful forces in the Wizarding World who want to undermine his knowledge by denying Voldemort's return.
Through it all, Radcliffe puts Harry's anger to rest.
In the book, a decent part of his dialogue is conveyed in loud shouts, and here, Harry shouts at Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), thrashes his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), and suffers from nightmares. where Voldemort continuously intervenes in his life. The Order of the Phoenix cleverly keeps Harry's personal arc tied to the main plot. As he comes to terms with what he has faced in the past and what he must face in the future, his decision to lead the underground student defense club Dumbledore's Army makes sense.
Through it all, Radcliffe puts Harry's anger to rest. The actor, a young Tony winner, will be the first to name his performances in the play Harry Potter the movies aren't his best, and I don't deny that he sometimes seems uncomfortable in the role. However, the emotional obstacles Harry faces The Order of the Phoenix let Radcliffe to increase his range and grow close to his character. Some of his best work comes from the scenes he shares with his co-stars, with Gary Oldman and the late, great Alan Rickman providing excellent performances for Radcliffe to build upon.
Order of the Phoenix Introduces New Characters and Locations
And it does so successfully
What The Order of the Phoenix especially the most successful in introducing new things to the franchise, be it characters or locations. The series' production design has always been top-notch, but Stuart Craig's work really shines with the depiction of places like the Magic Door and the Room of Requirement. The first floor is a very impressive space, from the dark tiled hallway on the lower levels to the cavernous atrium filled with offices overlooking the stunning fountain.
As the giant in pink, Imelda Staunton perfectly embodies the person we hate from the first moment she says “hem-hem.”
The Order of the Phoenix marks the first of several notable appearances Harry Potter characters, and while a few arrivals unfortunately fall flat (Nymphadora Tonks is the most prominent character on the page), most are instant successes. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch), a soft-spoken and articulate Ravenclaw who becomes one of Harry's best friends. Lynch is perfect for the rolenailing Luna's voice and how her dreamy demeanor can turn into insightful commentary.
Then we have one of them Harry Potter'most despicable villains: Dolores Umbridge, Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher. As the giant in pink, Imelda Staunton perfectly embodies someone we hate from the first moment she walks in.”the edge.” In a franchise that includes antagonists such as Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter, another example The Order of the Phoenix's successful debuts), Umbridge has been standing as the worst, too Staunton gives a surprisingly intimidating performance.
Order Of The Phoenix's Climactic Fight Is The Franchise's Best
Few Harry Potter duels are as exciting as Dumbledore and Voldemort
A lot Order of the Phoenix, Umbridge is the main villain as she gradually takes over Hogwarts and banishes any agency the students may have, but the climax of the film brings it all back to the great battle of good and evil. It all culminates in what I truly believe is the best battle of the franchise, the atrium battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort. Before that, Harry and his friends are chased through the spooky Hall of Prophecy in a suspenseful sequence, and our hero loses a heartbreaking heartbreak (which still puts a lump in my throat).
Still, the Dumbledore versus Voldemort duel is an amazing example of what magic can do. For another Harry Potter movies, duels are mostly kept in the light of flashy back-and-forth shots, but Yates cleverly renders this fight as it is: A clash between two fearsome magic users of the Wizarding World. Dumbledore traps Voldemort in a ball of water taken directly from the well. Voldemort smashes the windows in the Ministry offices and releases a large snake that has been engulfed in flames. The visual effects are flawless and show what the franchise should be leaning towards.
Using its characters and themes that are still painfully appropriate, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix represents some of the best of what the franchise has to offer.
When the dust has literally settled, the conflict is brought back to where it started: Voldemort and Harry. The final scene of the film, when Harry announces hopefully that he and his friends have something to fight for, may be false considering how much conflict he has gone through not only in this film, but the moment he fights to control Voldemort in the Ministry. and defiantly sympathizes with the Dark Lord a powerful reminder of what kind of character Harry isand it serves as a perfect ending to their latest encounter.
If this long review hasn't made it clear, I have a lot of love in my heart Harry Potter. That will always be true, as the creator of the series continues to be someone I can't support. Using its characters and themes that are still painfully appropriate, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix represents some of the best of what the franchise has to offer.
Admittedly some characters get the short end of the stick, and certain book clips don't translate back to the screen (we probably could have avoided Grawp, let's be real), but this is a film that leans towards the fantastic with great success and should be commended for what it achieves.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is also released in theaters for a limited time on September 14th and 15th. The film is 138 feet long and is rated PG-13 for some fictional violence sequences and scary images.