Another Great Potter Adaptation (minor spoilers)

Rating: 8/10 (11 July 2007)

I will admit, as a fan of the books, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is not my favorite book. I enjoy the book and like it as I do all of them, but the story of the novel I found a little murky for 870 pages. Anyway, I think screenwriter Michael Goldenberg did a good job adapting this monster novel into a workable film, although the film is a bit short and I would've liked a little more story to refine the destination of the film. But again, Goldenberg and his predecessor and successor Steven Kloves do not get enough credit for the tough job they have. The acting was outstanding, having raised yet another notch. Radcliffe is brilliant in showing the angry and emotionally depressed Harry as he is portrayed in the novel. Grint and Watson are once again outstanding as Ron and Hermione respectively, bringing a deeper emotional impact to the relationship of the trio. Imelda Staunton is amazing as the maniacally megalomaniac Dolores Umbridge, and deserves credit for her spot on portrayal of Umbridge from the novels. The adult cast was once again solid with particular praise going the Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, and Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is still a bit more aggressive than the novel Dumbledore, but is still portrayed well. Director David Yates does an outstanding job bringing out the emotions of the students in particular, especially with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The Department of Mysteries Battle is an outstanding scene of action, emotion, and tension, well directed by Yates. It may be the best action sequence in the films, only to the Third Task and Graveyard Battle from Goblet of Fire. As for visuals, outstanding once more, from the thestrals, to the sets of the Ministry of Magic, to Grawp. Overall, the film was better than I expected, especially with its short running time, and is yet another great adaptation of my favorite book series. This definitely the darkest film, and many of complained of the lack of magical pizazz from the first two films. Well frankly, the movies are accurately portraying the dark tonal shifts of the novels, and the excess fluff has been, thankfully in my opinion, left behind, as they have been done so in the novels. Again, Order of the Phoenix is one of two warm up novels, the other being Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, to the sure to epic Deathly Hallows. Am I Pottered out? Far from it, I only ask movie goers to be patient with these films, as they are necessary to build up to the exciting final installment.