Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Posted by Nathan Deen (nathan@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 15, 2007

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.


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  • Abe
    You've got to be kidding me; I was entertained by the rest of the Harry Potter movies but loathed this one. None of the movies have been as entertaining as the books--that's to be expected. However, the HP and the OotP movie was beyond bad. If I were grading it, I'd give it a D+/C-, and that's only because the supporting roles actors were excellent.

    The film just seemed like slices from the book, without concern for the greater whole. Rather than having a beginning, middle, and end, as every story must, it just had one scene after the other. I went with a friend and apologized after wards for inviting him. Yes, it was that bad.

    People have been saying this is the "darkest," most mature/serious HP yet; I disagree entirely. There was very little in this film that was scary or thrilling. In fact, the one word I would use to describe 90% of the film is BORING.

    The lead actors can't act. That much as also becoming obvious. The only one of them who can act at all (Ron) is minimized. Harry Potter and Hermione are ridiculously bad--at least in OotP.

    My opinion: director David Yates completely missed the boat here in combination with whomever adapted the book to screenplay. Skip it and see it on DVD, and only then if you absolutely must.
  • Jeff
    I agree with abe this movie seemed to me a sportscenter version of the book. But to give Yates a break it is hard to turn a nearly 900 page novel and turn it into a movie that didn't force watchers to deficate on themselves after ordering a large drink and popcorn. But still the movie just seemed to lack any kind of real emotion and just gave a shiny glaze coating. Maybe it's better for those who never took the time to read these books, but for those who have this is the biggest dissapointment so far.
  • chris
    I think Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix was great. Abe is totally wrong about this film. Obviously you have no taste in a movie and you need to stop informing people of the wrong thing. This movie has a great plot and if you haven't seen it because of her don't listen to her because she doesn't know what she is talking about
  • cristina
    THINA'S SAY's

    Yates just do his best to do this film. I think it was really good like the other!!!!
  • Dan
    This was the first movie, except maybe the third one, that tried to make a film out of the book instead of a simple plot transcription. They took things out and added in new things and created their own themes, and you know what -- I think it's a darn good movie. Maybe not A+, but something in the A range wouldn't be too much of a stretch. I've seen it three times and I still like it.
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