Without implying that J.K. Rowlings book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix wasnt entertaining or enjoyable, it did veer so consistently toward too much instead of just enough that the distillation process of a film script in the absence of an editor was thoroughly beneficial. An overstuffed book thus became a leaner and meaner movie, even if not everything in the book makes it into the film.
One could argue, of course, that a good deal of the books nuance gets lost in the transition. The films breathless pace doesnt allow for much time to mull over new revelations or indulge overly sentimental character moments. One could also nit-pick and suggest that the film could have benefited from a longer coda to wrap up the emotional loose ends, particularly the big one involving the death of a major character. Yet given how much time previous films devoted to these, the focus on action rather than extensive exposition is actually welcome. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a ripping good adventure, successfully capturing the books growing darkness and relentless sense of impending doom. The cast, it should go without saying, is superb without exception, with each character imbued with personality and magnetism that makes it hard for me, at least to pick a favorite even though Alan Rickmans Severus Snape makes for a tantalizing first choice. Newcomer Evanna Lynch, as the ethereal Luna Lovegood. fares very well, too, living up to the mentally off-kilter but deceptively perceptive, clever and compassionate girl of Rowlings book.
Its all marvelous, magical stuff, and director David Yates keeps the characters integrity intact even though the film skewers more toward action than character development. He remains faithful to the Harry Potter film universe as set out in the previous films while ratcheting up the tension a few notches; draws out wonderfully grounded performances from Radcliffe, Watson and Grint; and brings to life a wizardly battle so spectacular and magical that Dumbledore and his fellow members of the Order of the Phoenix make Gandalf and other magical folk from “Lord of the Rings” look like rank amateurs by comparison.
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is getting more mature, but it still has what it takes to cast a powerful spell.
Entertainment Value: ** (out of two)
Technical Quality: ** (out of two)
Gold star awarded!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Written by Michael Goldenberg, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Directed by David Yates. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Gint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon and Evanna Lynch. 138 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images).
