Click to play videoCast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Direction: David Yates
If you're not a fan of the Harry Potter films then you've got to watch the new film in the series. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter films, then you're going to watch it anyway.
The thing is, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth film in the series, is nothing like the previous movies. If the first two films by Home Alone director Chris Columbus were adventure-filled kiddie films, then the third by Alfonso Cuaron was slightly darker but quite stylish, and the fourth by Mike Newell only got grittier. This fifth film, however, directed by David Yates, is the darkest of them all. And that, of course, is great news because even the most hardcore Harry Potter fans, like myself, were getting a little tired of all the fun-and-games, all the gimmicks, the silly magic tricks, the Quidditch matches. I think everyone's really been waiting for Harry Potter to grow up and for the story to move forward.
So in this week's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry faces the threat of expulsion from school when the Ministry of Magic discovers that he used magic outside of school to defeat an enemy. We learn later that a larger plot's been hatched against Harry and his mentor, Hogwarts principal Professor Dumbledore.
When Harry insists that the Dark Lord has returned, the Ministry of Magic doesn’t believe him. They send him back to school, but when he gets there, he faces his toughest enemy yet, his new Defence Against The Dark Arts professor, the ever-smiling, sing-song voiced Dolores Umbridge.
The best thing about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is watching teenager Daniel Radcliffe grow into the role of Harry. If you've read the books, you'll notice now more than ever before why Daniel Radcliffe makes such a superb Harry Potter—because he's a fine, young actor who has the ability to really tap into the character and understand it completely. And because he understands the character so well, he plays him so naturally on screen.
Just look at him in those scenes when he wakes up sweating from those nightmares, or the scene in which he shares his first romantic moment—this isn't just good acting, it's excellent acting because it never looks like acting.! The only other performance that stays with you in this film is Imelda Staunton's who plays the mean-spirited Professor Dolores Umbridge.
Staunton has that steely smile and that evil glint in her eyes and she's just remarkable. You know the reason she's one of the toughest villains yet in all the Harry Potter films is because she's so believable - we can all think of that mean teacher who was horrible to us in school, right? That's much more relatable than a fire-breathing dragon or a three-headed dog.
I'm doubtful this film will appeal to Harry Potter virgins stepping into his world for the first time because it doesn't recap what's happened in the first four films, and it doesn't really introduce you to all the characters like the previous films did. This one jumps straight into the story and expects you to be faithfully following behind.
And still, for fans of the series, it's a highly entertaining watch because there are no unnecessary frills this time round. I'm going to go with three out of five and a thumbs up for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, aren't you glad you can watch this one without those irritating, over-enthusiastic kids muttering and chattering all around you?
Rating: 3/5 (Good)
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