Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix
Ten Reasons Why This Film Stands Out Among the Series
The fifth of seven Harry Potter books made into movies might just be the best one yet.
The darkly brooding, teenage angst-ridden Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has much to recommend it. Look for these ten features that set it apart from its predecessors.
Actors and Characters
1. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) have really grown into their roles, trading their prepubescent cuteness for sincerity and depth.
2. The film reunites favorite characters from past movies. In addition to the regular supporting cast, some of the best featured characters from earlier Potter films, such as Sirius Black, Mad-Eye Moody, and Remus Lupin rally around Harry during his time of need. Even poor Cedric Diggory, who lost his life in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, manages to sneak his way into this film through dreams and photographs.
3. Interesting new characters are introduced. Imelda Staunton plays Dolores Umbridge, a ferocious bureaucrat hiding beneath a pussycat exterior. Helena Bonham Carter plays Bellatrix Lestrange, a fiendishly freaky cousin of Sirius Black. We meet an unexpected relative of Hagrid’s and the mysterious new girl, Luna Lovegood.
4. A glimpse inside the dank, cobwebby mind of Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) is revealed in a cleverly executed scene. Finally, we get an explanation for Snape’s previously inexplicable behavior.
5. At “only” two hours and fifteen minutes, this is the shortest Potter film yet. Your cramped knees, full bladder, and numb backside won’t miss the extra minutes.
Special Effects and Story
6. The special effects keep getting better each time. Industrial Light & Magic performed some miraculous feats here. New creatures, more flying scenes, creepy dream sequences, and a breath-taking finale should hold everyone’s attention.
7. Harry’s first kiss is worth the wait. It’s one of the few soft, sweet, tender moments in his young life. And yes, Harry is the kind who kisses and tells...at least his close friends.
8. Those twin Weasley brothers are at it again – only bigger and better this time. Ron’s mischievous older brothers add some much-needed comic relief here by thumbing their noses at the bureaucratic takeover at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
9. Harry teaches secret defense classes to a handful of believers. Although The Department of Ministry, The Daily Prophet, and nearly the entire student body of Hogwarts think that Harry is lying about the return of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), a few students sneak off with Harry for some fun-filled lessons in fighting for their lives.
10. The Order of the Phoenix nicely lays the groundwork for the next installment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. You’ll wish you could see this upcoming film (or at least read the book) as soon as the credits roll. (By the way, British TV director David Yates doesn’t include fancy graphics, deleted scenes, or extras during the final credits. You won't find anything here but names.)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Director: David Yates
- Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (fantasy violence)
To learn more about family films, read Kids at the Movies.
