Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth installment in the Harry Potter series of movies. A plot rich enough for people who haven't seen the first four, surprisingly great acting and beautiful special effects, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is fun and tender.

After informing the magical world that Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned to muster his armies, spread darkness, and kill all that is precious to Harry; young Potter is shunned by the Ministry of Magic and local news papers. The head of the Ministry of Magic, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) is convinced that Potter's stories are fear mongering meant to put Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) in power. With his head buried deeply in the sand, instates changes at Hogwarts that leaves the children unhappy and vulnerable to attack. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and Ron Weasly (Rupert Grint) act to keep everyone safe.

Daniel Radcliffe is definitely entering the awkward early teenaged stages of development, but it adds to the Potter character. It also hasn't diminished his ability to act. It is extremely important when a story is full of fanciful elements, it is important that the acting be so believable you don't have to think about suspension of disbelief. Radcliffe seamless slips into Harry's life, his story and problems.

Emma Watson is adorable as the retentive friend of Potter. Rupert Grint is fine in this installment of Harry Potter but he definitely doesn't steal the show. All of the rest of the teenaged students at Hogwarts weren't memorable at all. It isn't that their acting is dull, just that the writing doesn't make much room for them.

Three cheers for Imelda Staunton who plays the loathsome, throttle-worthy Dolores Umbridge. As a new professor at Hogwarts, a member of the Ministry of Magic Council, Umbridge wreaks havoc on the staff and the students. Umbridge would smile while stabbing you in the face. Staunton is marvelous at making what, at a distance, would be a cheerful older woman, nail on chalk board annoying and at times bone meltingly frightening. Whenever she is on screen, she robs the spotlight from everyone else in the shot.

The story in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is mesmerizing. Harry isn't responsible for his friendships, or fitting in; he is responsible for the lives of his friends and the student body. He has to look to his past and his present to find the strength he needs to be a leader. He also needs to figure out how to become a better wizard when it seems all the teachers have abandoned teaching. He has to be willing to protect and stand up to people who attack and chastise him. There doesn't seem to be any childishness to him or his problems, which makes the story more imposing and interesting.

The movie is very long at about two and a half hours. Whenever the bridge shows up in the movie, you know there is a pacing problem coming. It seems to be where all schemes are hatched and dialogue drama happens. It also means the action and momentum comes to a grinding halt. There are far too many bridge scenes but there aren't enough to ruin the movie.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has amazing visuals. There are beautiful scenes of magic swirling and transforming. There are really cool bad guy scenes at the end. There are a few scenes that would have benefited from either more money or more talented animators but those scenes are short and far between. I was impressed by the quality of the visuals throughout.

Sure, it has a few hang ups, but in the end it left me so dazzled, my note pad was empty because I couldn't be bothered to take notes.