Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Review By Ghostman

Continuing on with Warner Bros; box office hit franchise based off the best-selling Harry Potter books, is the 5th installment in the magical series. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a slight step down, from the last four and it's directed by David Yates who will eventually direct the last three after this.

It's Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwarts, and after battling with Lord Voldemort, who has returned, Hogwarts is no longer a safe place to teach; and now Harry must prepare for battle as darkness looms over the skys as he and his friends form "Dumbledore's Army"

Now, unlike the last film, which had a dark monotone slow paced feel filled with action, this entry in the film franchise is a slight dissapointment for me. I thought that it didn't take itself seriously at times. The one big problem it seemed to have, was the fact that it was the shortest movie adapted from the thickest book. A lot of editing went into this, and they ommited some of the improtant parts from the book, but still, the movie goes by quickly and before you know it, the film's over!

David Yates tackled this adaptation with all his dignity and I think for a first time directing a Harry Potter movie, he did good. Granted it's not as plain like the Chris Columbus Potter films, or it isn't too artsy enough like Alfonso Cuaron's Potter vision, nor is it too dark and gloomy slowness like Goblet of Fire; but instead it's a more lightly warm hearted dark film. It has that tone but at the same time, it's kinda cheesy with some bad jokes and goofiness. I enjoyed the montages and the happy-go-lucky smooth pace also.

Among the fantastic acting jobs from the rest of the cast, we have a new face that brings pink color to the film. With her pink decor and kitten plates covering the walls of her office, Imelda Staunton plays Dolores Umbridge. The kind of character you love to hate. She is just so delicously good at playing such an irritating but awesome character.

With an exciting good versus evil wizard duel between Voldemort and Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a delightfully dark and cheery movie that has a smooth taste to that of Butter Beer, and leaves us in wait as we continue on getting closer to the grand finale.

-McLovin