Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis, Katie Leung, Jason Isaacs, Ralph Fiennes
Running Time: 2h 18min

The fifth film from the seven book franchise, the Order of the Phoenix has the distinction of being the heaviest tome, the greatest battle yet, and the launching point of a number of key characters and plot threads that will play out in the series' conclusion. This all makes for wonderful reading, but very difficult viewing and screen writing.

Reading fans can lose themselves in the novel, expecting Harry to live on to see subsequent novels, enjoying his adolescent development and growing responsibilities. Film fans, however, can't invest the time needed to see the characters through their full story arcs, nor leave the theatre feeling satisfied with an installment without conclusion.

So, it is a wonder that the Order of the Phoenix manages to cram a healthy portion of the book's features while still moving along at a delicious pace, offering up enough character moments (Harry's first kiss) and action scenes (Quidditch is barely missed, as the broom flying really zooms with London as its playground). The three young leads continue to grow into their roles remarkably well, though some of their limitations are noticeable (Radcliff doesn't quite seem threatening enough when Harry's blood boils).

Secretly, as in many great "children's" films, it is the adult roles that really give us the greatest joy, and Staunton's turn as Delores Umbridge is frightfully spot on, gleefully sadistic as the bureaucratic representative from hell. Never has such rule following and attention to procedure been so sinister. The supporting cast of adults that reads like a British walk of fame continue to shine in small roles, lead by the inimitable Rickman as Severus Snape. If there were parts from the book that could have been beefed up for the movie, it was his occulemcy lessons. i would gladly have taken those scenes over the whole giant subplot.

Alas, some things have to get cut, and Kreacher's role seems to be the most omitted. Though, having read the series to the end now, it's almost a blessing in disguise as his character provides the most inconsistency in the series. Yet the introduction of Luna Lovegood and emergence of Neville and Ginny as full fledged characters really give fans and cinephiles much to rejoice about.

Darkest in tone, most quietly (and subsequently, eerily) paced, and grandest in scope, the Order of the Phoenix does a remarkable job of resting comfortably amongst its predecessors, while steering the train in an all new direction. Though not as lush and lavish as the series' best Prizoner of Azkaban, it certainly makes its case as one of the top three. A series this long is always in danger of fizzling out before its story is told. Rest assured, the fifth feature only wets your appetite for more.

Grade: B+