Unfortunately, this bird only just takes flight!

Rating: 7/10 (15 July 2007)

The 5th installment in the Harry Potter saga was long awaited by myself, more-so than any of the other previous films. Partly due to some of the fantastic new characters that were going to be introduced.
However, David Yates' take on what is known as the most dull of the books is a film which never really seems to get going right until it's over.
The problem was always going to be the size of the book, cramming 800 or so pages into a film is never easy, but making this film the shortest of the franchise so far is complete lunacy.
Of course there is nothing to complain about regarding the special effects and the acting has become superb in this installment, Imelda Staunton is just how I imagined Delores Umbridge to be like. The magic however, is still lacking since Cuaron left the helm.
The story takes practically two thirds of the whole film to get going and it feels very much like a stepping stone to The Half Blood Prince. I enjoyed it immensely, but left feeling very disappointed in a film I thought would be outstanding.
Then again, being based on a fairly dull book, Yates' musn't be blamed.
Order Of The Phoenix is good to pass away two and a half hours but it never conjures the spark that we know from these films. If it wasn't for a few outstanding performances, this bird would be grounded.