Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Movie Review

Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix opened July 11, 2007 to huge numbers. The first showing at 12:01am alone reported more than $12 million in ticket sales and was arguably the most anticipated film of 2007.

I saw the film for the first time at 10:05 a.m., opening day. I was actually working, but some sacrifices had to be made for potentially good art. I actually arrived at 9:45am, the earliest they would let me come into the theater, I was eager and overwhelmed by anticipation. It was like being a kid in a candy store, waiting for that one special piece of chocolate.

I walked the long inclined hall that led to the stadium seating and paused briefly at the end gazing out over the vast array of empty choices. I started to climb the stairs carefully choosing the perfect seat. I had to find just the right one. Not too high. Not to low, just even with the screen. "This is going to be great" I would say out loud. I knew it. As I found that perfect center seat. I pulled the seat bottom flap and sat down placing my purse on the floor between my legs, I set my 32 ounce drink in the cup holder to my right, and my package of Cherry twizzlers to my left, scooted my shoes from feet and placed 1 foot on each side of the chair in front of me then slid down slightly in the seat stretching my back attempting to get as comfortable as possible. Then as I picked up the package of twizzlers the plastic crinkling in my fingers, I heard two young men enter the theater to my right. I opened the package and took a deep breath of the sweet cherry smell took a piece candy out placed it cleverly between my left cheek and teeth and eagerly awaited the previews.

10:05 a.m. sharp the screen goes black and the sweet sound of "your feature presentation will, began after the following previews," echoed through my ears. I watched one British-born film trailer after the other before the Warner Bros. 3d emblem soared through the screen to the tune of the Harry Potter theme. As the first scenes of the film carried across the screen my eyes lit up with joy from the very beginning. The backdrop of the film was very dark, black and dark blues echo the gray clouds in the stormy weather behind Harry Potter in the park and his dreadful cousin, lightning crashes and thunder looms as the presence of evil drifts through the air. As the movie progressed I wouldn't say excitement filled me. It wasn't like watching the others full of underlining British humor and special effected action, though it had its fair share towards the end. I wasn't truly impressed. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen of course. I am probably the biggest Harry Potter fan, who has never read a single book. So I really didn't know what to expect. I just knew what I had seen before. The effects when present were impressive, the creatures detailed, the characters coming into their own. I can say I was impressed with that. The actors where really starting to look like actors, which was questionable watching say the first two, not that we were ever expecting academy award winning performances from 10 and 11 year olds with no experience but it was nice to see their progression develop onscreen. Daniel Radcliffe has always been the most impressive of the core three, as far as acting. This time around I have to give credit to Emma Watson for toning things down and not over acting as she had been often accused of an earlier films. Many diehard book readers feel that the character of Hermione and her portrayer are no longer in sync. Personally I feel this is terribly incorrect Hermione and Emma Watson are the same person and have been for five films. Perhaps, the character in the book should be maturing with the actor.

It's unfortunate that the darkness of the film is so necessary because the first four films had such a lighthearted feel to them, of course when you're portraying something already written suppose it's a bit hard to deviate. My only problem with the Harry Potter series is the unchangeable aspects, no element of surprise we all know what's going to happen to the characters before the films are even shot, well those of you that read the books do, or anyone who can scroll down to the imdb message boards. Yet we still spend billions on tickets and merchandise just to see in essence what parts of the book they left out.

I believe this will be a first of books written for children, but aged for adults as are the films. Personally, I do not recommend bringing your small children to this film. It's far too dark and frightening for young eyes.

This being my first film review I have to be fair, while I can appreciate all the time and energy put by the directors, producers and actors into making this film grading them from a potter's best to worst. The order of the Phoenix falls short of the best slot held firmly by the Prisoner of Azkaban. It even falls short of my second best rating, leaving Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix snuggly in third position of my favorite Potter films.

OVER ALL GRADE 3.5 Pens

Grading the film on visuals and special effects I give it 4 out of 5 pens, for acting I give it 3.5 out of 5 pens, and on story I give Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix 3 pens. I personally suggest children should be 12 years and older viewing this film with an adult.