Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The series begins its struggle to adapt increasingly longer books

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix poster

The Harry Potter series maintained a mostly upward trajectory across the first quartet of films, but with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the series feels like it's hit a plateau.

In his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry is haunted by dreams of Lord Voldemort. The Ministry of Magic has assigned the school a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, nobody believes that Voldemort has returned, and the students have to study for their all-important "OWL" exams.

If this sounds a bit run-of-the-mill... well, it kind of is. But the story isn't without some high notes. Dolores Umbridge, the aforementioned Dark Arts teacher is one of the more interesting antagonists we've seen. All the authority of the Dursley's, but with actual teeth to back up her oppression of Harry. Another highlight comes in the form of Cho Chang, a new potential love interest for Harry.

But overall it seems like the film is struggling to squeeze the book in. For example, at one point Umbridge is believed to have met her fate, but at the end a newspaper reveals she has been removed from her position by the Ministry with no adequate explanation as to how she survived. To top it off, Voldemort's annual return and traditionally vague evil plans are starting to get repetitive that they threaten to turn him into a joke villain.


The Good: 

• Cho Chang provides a long-needed (non-Hermione) love interest

The Bad:

• Some of the returning villains like Filch and Voldemort almost seem comical at times
• Hagrid's half brother Grawp is a bad CGI note in an otherwise mostly good effects symphony

Stuff to watch for:

• Warwick Davis (his appearances still steal the scene)

Pairing: a bowl of Cheerios ("Cheeri-Owls")

The Verdict:
***1/2 out of *****