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I have a confession to make. This time last week I had no intention on seeing “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” Why? Because I hadn’t seen any of the previous films. I was just someone who read the first ten pages of “The Sorcerer’s Stone” and hated it and didn’t want to give the movies a try. However, I decided to borrow the first three movies from a friend, and I rented “The Goblet of Fire.” Within a period of 72 hours I’ve gone from someone who didn’t care to an adoring fan; not necessarily in the sense of how I feel about “The Lord of the Rings” or “Star Wars,” but close to it.

“The Sorcerer’s Stone” was good, “The Chamber of Secrets” was really good, “The Prisoner of Azkaban” was excellent, and I think “The Goblet of Fire” should be considered as one of the greatest science-fiction/fantasy films of all time.

With five movies now into the series, one would think there would be a bump in the road somewhere along the way. However, these are filmmakers who are dedicated to J.K. Rowling’s books and have one goal in mind: to make each movie better than the previous one; and each time up until now they have succeeded. In my mind, it’s hard to top “The Goblet of Fire,” but the latest installment, “The Order of the Phoenix” at least matches it.

Dark, unsettling, visually stunning, and beautifully detailed with a well told story, “The Order of the Phoenix” is every bit the masterpiece “The Goblet of Fire” was. The characters are growing up and maturing and so are the films. Harry Potter 4 and 5 both went for PG-13 ratings, a good choice if you ask me. While watching each film, I’ve felt as if I’ve been growing up with the characters. Not a moment during these films did I get the feeling the concept was getting old, especially with the last two, taking a darker road with the storyline. Just like going through each grade in school, I feel as if I’m learning something new with each movie.

The Order of the Phoenix was a gathering of the top witches and wizards who stood against the dark and evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Now we’re really getting somewhere with him. In the very last “Harry Potter” movie, I’d like to see him take over the film a little bit more. Voldemort is recruiting an army and now it is time to establish a new Order of the Phoenix. Meanwhile the Ministry of Magic chooses not to believe Voldemort has returned and sends new professor Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Stauton) to takeover the school and bands the use of magic by the students. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) feel that they are not getting the training they need and will not be able to defend themselves against Voldemort. Harry starts his own after-school class in which he shows his pupils all of the tricks he has learned, hoping to do it in time before Voldemort strikes.

Just like previous “Harry Potter” veterans Alfonso Cuaron and Mike Newell, new director David Yates doesn’t miss a beat with “The Order of the Phoenix.” The film works on so many different levels: as a coming of age story with Harry battling inner demons, a set up that pays off at the end with an unbelievable battle sequence, and a staggering work of art filled with top-notch special effects, beautiful and scenic shots and a very dark mood that absorbs you during the film’s climax. Considering just how good the films before “The Order of the Phoenix” were, makes it an even more remarkable achievement. This one is sure to end up near the top of my Top 10 list this year.