Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Bad or Good?

At first glance, many were disappointed by the fifth movie installment of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. For the book fanatics, the movie was off on several facts and key points that made up the unique story. But could you honestly take an eight hundred page book and make it into a two hour movie?

While many details were changed, movie goers going for the simply pleasure of the movie were excited by the beautiful scenery and fast paced action. The main story line was intact enough to understand the dilemmas of the main character, Harry Potter, and his prophecy.

The special effects were top notch as usually, giving you a breath- taking sweep of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and colorfully displays of battles between Dumbledore's Army and the Death Eaters. Although many displayed a negative view of the effects done to Grawp, Hagrid's giant brother, claiming he was badly drawn.

The acting was outstanding with an especially evil performance by Imelda Staunton who played Dolores Umbridge. Her girly voice and fake, plastered smile, made you hate her the second she put her first "uh- hum" in. The reprising roles of Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall, portrayed by Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, were excellently performed as always. And of course, the three young actors that give life to Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint) have improved drastically with time and have really begun to showcase their acting talent. They breathed in a new humor and bravado in this latest installment, standing by Harry's side throughout his perils.

Some major points missing from the movie was the house- elf, Kreacher, who originally told Harry that Sirius was at the Ministry of Magic. They changed this sequence to a "vision" that Harry had. This was minor when you see the movie. I think the most disturbing events that were changed were that Harry heard the prophecy and handed it to a Death Eater, a characteristic unknown to the character, instead of it being broke and that he had no rage. Throughout the book Harry was furious, yelling at his friends, and emotionally unbalanced. They showed him as quiet and reserved instead. But by far the worst detail cut out was lack of knowledge about the prophecy, especially where it concerns Snape and Professor Trelawny, as it is very important in the next movie. They might have to add scenes in the next film to explain their importance.

Overall the movie was beautifully cast and shot. People shouldn't put down the movie in itself. It was filmed to the best of its ability to entertain with some minor flaws not known to the watcher unless you read the series. Readers expecting to go in seeing their book shot word- for- word will be disappointed. Go in to see it as a movie and you will like it.