As the fifth film of the seven story series hits the big screen, the magic of the series shows no signs of wearing out. New director David Yates succeeds in keeping the series on the course originally plotted by Chris Columbus in the first two. With such great and voluminous material - compliments of J.K. Rowling - along with Britain's finest actors reprising their roles, a director would have to be inept to mess it up. Yates is able to pull a strong performance out of his lead, Daniel Radcliffe, which ultimately makes the difference in this darkest chapter yet of the films.
Harry (Radcliffe) begins the film alone, thinking of the gruesome end to his prior year at Hogwarts, which led to the resurfacing of the evil wizard Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Harry's foster family, the Dursleys, appears briefly at the beginning as the audience learns the reappearance of Voldemort has caused problems to spill over into the non-magical world. Harry is forced to use a spell to defend himself outside of school, and is brought to trial by the Ministry of Magic for it. The Ministry, refusing to accept that Voldemort has returned, smears Harry’s name and that of his headmaster, Dumbledore. The iron grip of the Ministry causes significant changes at the school, making Harry and his friends' lives very difficult and dangerous. Meanwhile, the forces of good recreate the Order of the Phoenix, an underground magic league meant to defend against Voldemort and his minions.
As a Muggle who has not read all the books, I will not get into the argument of whether the film is a faithful enough adaptation of the material. As a progression of the prior films, this new chapter keeps what has made the series shine, though telling a much darker and tension-filled story. There is less teen-angst than in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," but still some important moments between Harry and the girl he is smitten with, Cho. Most of the children, except Longbottom, are given shorter shrift in this film than in prior ones, and it can be seen in their acting performances, which aren't as polished. However, Radcliffe, having gotten most of the attention, really puts his passion and heart into a difficult and heart-wrenching tale.
A pet peeve of mine is that when a new director comes on, some of the special effects change, which I have noticed in the films. In this installment, the Dementors look more like floating skeletons than hooded Grim Reapers, and the magical fireside chat between Harry and his godfather has transformed in appearance as well. It would be less jarring if the same effects were used from movie to movie rather than each director having to put their artistic mark upon it. Short of these minor imperfections, the film whizzes along at a breakneck speed with wonderful special effects and battle scenes, and it gives you quite the emotional punch at the end.
This series, which has helped put fantasy films back in the mainstream, has grown and deepened with its audience. Just be wary of bringing your younger children to "The Order of the Phoenix" due to its darker and more adult tone. What has been most impressive over the series is how this huge cast has stayed together. These films really make you care about the characters, which would likely not happen if the same actors didn’t return.
I am anxious to see how it all ends.
Rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images.
