I-MAXimum Loved it!

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2007)

Yes, after reading all The HP Books 2 or more times, I found much to love in this "Illustration" of the "Order of the Phoenix". Our Cast has developed as have their characters - From a Darker, Moodier, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, to a Rule Breaking Emma Watson as Hermione. Maggie Smith as the uptight McGonagall now turns some of her Ire Against an Authority figure (Umbridge)!
I wanted MORE of Everything, except maybe more Screen. I plan to go back and see this at least one more time on a big FLAT Screen. The IMAX was great for large Outdoor shots, but distorted Indoor scenes too much. I'm sure I'll have to get the DVD when it's out. I hope it has at least a half hour worth of Deleted Scenes. The Pirates - At World's End had 168 minutes of runtime, and OotP with 138 left a Lot more story untold!
I wanted MORE of the New Characters - Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood is truly a Lovable Hit! Please give her MORE Screen Time and Dialogue! Natalia Tena as Nymphodora Tonks was also great to watch, but don't expect to understand her Shape-Shifting Facial Contortions if you didn't read the book! Helena Bonham Carter's portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange was predictably evil, as those who saw her in "Fight Club" would know she could. Maybe it's hard to mention Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, because it's so easy to Hate the Character from her first appearance in the Trial.
I really missed a lot of scenes from the book, like St Mungo's, where we should have been introduced to Neville Longbottom's parents in a more graphic way. The Battles were Graphic, but not at all as Detailed as I had imagined, like all scenes from the Ministry of Magic. So even if you saw the Movie FIRST, you Still MUST Read the Book to get it All.
I just got out of the IMAX Theatre less than an hour ago. It's amazing how much of this plot could be compacted in to 2 hours of screen time - and still leave me wanting MORE MORE MORE!