Surprisingly good.

Rating: 7/10 (15 July 2007)

Summer has arrived but it's not something Harry liked, after what happened at Hogwarts before the holidays. What was meant to save his cousin from the Dementors resulting in Harry being framed (as usual) by his uncle and aunt while they take Dudley to see the doctor's. Harry had no choice but to perform the Patronus Charm before it was too late for his cousin as the Dementors were near Dudley. So, a letter came for Harry from the Ministry Of Magic to attend a hearing regarding what he has done.
After Vernon and Petunia left the house with Dudley to bring their son to the doctor's, members of The Order Of The Phoenix (Tonks, Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and etc.) arrived at the house and they come to bring Harry to the Order's headquarters which happens to be Sirius Black's residence ahead of the hearing. It was at Black's residence Harry wanted to know what has been happening since the summer began. It was then Harry learned more about The Order Of The Phoenix.
On the day of the hearing, it was Arthur Weasley who brought Harry to the Ministry Of Magic. But they have to act as ordinary human beings first by blending into the ordinary London crowd before they arrived at the Ministry which Arthur knows where it is. Once Arthur and Harry arrived, Harry can only be the one to attend the hearing and it's Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic who is overseeing the hearing while there is a whole group of jury behind him to hear Harry's case. The Headmaster Albus Dumbledore arrived just in time to help clear Harry's name. Arabella Figg (Kathryn Hunter), whom Harry saw after he defeated the Dementors, became the witness as to what happened. Eventually, Harry was cleared of all charges.
It was back to school and many chose to ignore Harry, except Ron and Hermione and a handful of others like the Weasley twins, Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch), Ginny, Cho etc. Almost everyone in the wizarding world thinks Harry is mad. Not everyone is believing that Lord Voldermort has returned and is actually more powerful than ever. After the trio returned to school, Harry saw Cho but she was with her friends. It was also then the trio saw the loony Luna. At the feast, it was being made known by Dumbledore that Hogwarts has a new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher - Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). She was last seen at Harry's hearing.
It was the beginning of what's to come from Umbridge. No learning of practical magic, only what is being approved by the Ministry and nothing else. And under the orders of the Ministry, she has become from the Undersecretary to Fudge, to Hogwarts High Inquisitor and later on, Headmistress (Dumbledore was being sacked from his position as Headmaster). The last thing happened after she managed to find out about the secret army that Harry and his friends were part of - Dumbledore's Army. It was Hermione's idea given they are not learning much ahead of their OWLs. Harry was the only one who can teach proper magic, based on what he had experienced. In order to save Harry, Dumbledore said that he was the one who gave Harry the approval to form the group. Given the formation of societies was banned under Umbridge's so-called Educational Decrees.
With the wizarding world divided on people believing that Lord Voldermort is back and those who don't, which group will win in the end?
What impressed me was especially Imelda Staunton's role as Dolores Umbridge. In JK Rowling's best-selling series, Umbridge is whom many hate because of what she is - her appearance, squeaky voice and etc. Staunton almost perfected it.
I was initially worried the movie may not live up to its expectations for me, given I had once read the book. But I understand not many things were in the movie because of the timing. Except for a few personal complaints, I actually like it overall. It never disappointed me.