"Love and loyalty are the important themes that weave their way through the story, and these are brought to the forefront without losing the intense action and the life of the magical world in the meantime."
'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is the fifth movie in the wildly popular and incredibly successful Potter franchise, based on the book series by author J.K. Rowling. Since its inception in 1997 with 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' the series has been dominated by purists who are severely dedicated to meticulously dissecting every detail of every book. The problem is that these purists are never satisfied by the film adaptations and continually find fault with each new release. But I believe that even the hardcore fans of the book, myself included, will be satisfied with 'Order of the Phoenix'.
The fifth movie installment, like each of its predecessors since 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', the second part of the series, has a new face in the director's chair - a daunting task for any esteemed director. This time David Yates has taken the helm, and has turned the lengthy book into an extraordinary film. He manages to craft a cohesive story without deviating too much from the text and taking too many liberties (a possible complaint of Alfonso Cuaron's treatment of 'Prisoner of Azkaban'). Yates draws the heart out of the story and places it in the forefront, while still creating a action-filled thrill ride, keeping true to the essence of the magical world that Rowling has fastidiously crafted.
Yates includes and beautifully brings to life all of the action and practically all of the plot of the book, while still offering his own unique interpretation. He relies on the characters to tell the story; he brings us deep into Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)'s increasingly fractured mind and frustrating journey into himself, and examines the growing relationships of the teachers, loved ones and friends. Love and loyalty are the important themes that weave their way through the story, and these are brought to the forefront without losing the intense action and the life of the magical world in the meantime. The film centers on Harry's internal struggle to do what's right, while he fights to resist Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes)' mental invasions.
Several new characters are introduced in this story - the Order of the Phoenix, which has reassembled at the request of headmaster Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), which includes new face Nyphadora Tonks (Natalia Tena), the cousin of Sirius Black (Harry's Godfather, played by the awe-inspiring Gary Oldman). On the opposing side, Lord Voldemort's evil army of Death Eaters includes another of Black's cousins, Bellatrix LaStrange (played by eye-catching actress Helena Bonham Carter), who embodies evil and madness in a frightening character.
Harry leads his close friends Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), Ginny (Bonnie Wright) and Neville (Matthew Lewis), amongst others, to form Dumbledore's Aarmy, a secret group of students whom Harry teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts in lieu of their corrupt and ministry-placed teacher Dolores Umbridge, perfectly played by Imelda Staunton.
The movie incorporates some much-needed humor (much of which comes in the form of the spaced-out Luna Lovegood [Evanna Lynch) and the wacky antics of the Weasley twins) and just a mild touch of whimsy, which peppers the film, rather than dominates it as in the first two Christopher Columbus-directed installments.
The ending sequence, which brings the gang into the heart of the Department of Misteries, is beautifully crafted, and the explosive battle sequence therein is cleverly and meticulously orchestrated. The initial entry into the Department is chilling and downright frightening.
At its core, 'Order of the Phoenix' is a coming-of age drama with some magic thrown in. It is the darkest and most grown-up part of the Potter saga thus far. It shows how Harry Potter and the world in which he lives has matured, showcasing humanity's struggle between good and evil, with the level-headed students fighting against the tyrannical government that is trying to invade the students' only refuge: Hogwarts. The film slyly tells the story with slight political overtones and the ideas of democracy and rebellion.
'Phoenix' is not only the best film of the franchise, it is one of the best films I've seen this year. Both experienced Potter fans and casual newcomers must realize one thing whenever sitting down for each new movie: the books and the films are always meant to be separate entities. My advice to you is not to scowl your way through the movie, pointing out every minute difference between it and the book. Just lighten up, relax, let your mind go and enjoy what is truly a fantastic (and fantastical) film.
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