Fifth Harry Potter film flawed but not complete failure
After 18 months, one Tri-wizard tournament and the return of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," the cast of the Harry Potter films is back for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While this fifth installment is the darkest yet, the film is a welcome bright spot after the disappointing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
However, everyone does not share this view. The film has been getting mixed reactions from critics and fans alike. Some rip the film to shreds because it is not faithful to the book, when it actually does a better job than the last two movies. Meanwhile, the other side sometimes calls it the best Potter film yet, which for various reasons it clearly isn't.
The story of Order of the Phoenix is about finding a balance between good and evil. This review is an attempt to see past the absolutes and look at the film objectively.
The film's harsh critics have a fair point about the book's faithfulness. It is natural for many to feel short-changed with so many great scenes and explanations left out from the book.
In particular, the scene where Harry confronts Dumbledore at the end of the book is a glaring omission. Similarly, there not much time spent on the actual Order of the Phoenix itself, a strange decision given the film's title.
However, these harsh critics should remember that at 807 pages, Order of the Phoenix is the longest book in the franchise, while its film version is the shortest at just over two hours.
The film's plot is more straightforward than the book and moves along at a brisk pace. Some might find this inexcusable, but where cuts had to be made director David Yates succeeded in making sure viewers who haven't read the book didn't miss anything important.
In addition to the omitted scenes, the film has other glaring flaws.
Because of poor planning and amateurish editing the film is rushed during important parts and stalls unnecessarily in others. Considering this is the same problem that doomed Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix was lucky to avoid letting this destroy the entire film.
Wooden acting, particularly from female leads Emma Watson as Harry's best friend Hermoine Granger and Katie Leung as Harry's love interest, Cho Chang, also sometimes mars the film.
But this is the exception rather than the rule. The film's all-star cast shines particularly in the case of Imelda Staunton's near-perfect portrayal of despotic Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Delores Umbridge and in the improved acting talent of Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe.
These performances support the visually impressive action sequences and special effects, which ultimately make Order of the Phoenix successful. With dementor attacks, large-scale practical jokes, a run-in with the Death Eaters and a world-class wizarding duel, the film succeeds in finding a balance between action and storytelling.
To focus on purely the film's negatives is to overlook a film that has greatly matured over the six years since Sorcerer's Stone debuted in theatres. And similarly, to only look at the film through rose-colored glasses ignores that growing up often includes bumps and bruises. Maturation, growing pains included, is something Hogwarts students have to experience when taking their Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.'s, more commonly known as "owls") examinations. And in a way, this film was also a test.
In the subject of Harry Potter, David Yates's adaptation isn't "outstanding," nor does it "exceed expectations," but it is certainly "acceptable." And while there may not be a lot for fans and critics to agree on, at the very least they should be glad it wasn't a "troll."
Grade: B-
Originally published on July 24, 2007
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