Aggression, Depression, Suppression, Isolation - A Character-Driven Harry Potter Film

Rating: 9/10 (15 July 2007)

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" may have a few story faults more to do with the screen writing change than anything else, but it is nonetheless one of the better films of 2007. Comparatively, it is very well-directed and well-acted by the cast, even if the length makes cameos out of every actor except Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Umbridge. It does not deserve the nit-picking it has received by fans of the books and snooty critics who want to find some loose thread in the film series to unravel.
It would seem that critics want to fault the series for trying to move in a darker, more mature and character-driven direction, even though that is exactly where the books are going and nothing can change that. Critics who don't read the book series have it in their heads that the films should stay light and fluffy and child-friendly and sugary-sweet for some reason, and so as this film maintains the themes of aggression, depression, suppression, and isolation present in the book, the critics aren't happy because this film lacks the whimsy of the prior stories and isn't "fun" anymore. Well as Snape says in the film, "Life isn't fair." The rest of the series only gets darker and more threatening. Rowling has written a book series which takes Harry's magical world seriously; it mirrors our own world. As the films continue and Harry gets older, his awareness of his world increases as he finds people can be insane (Bellatrix Lestrange), insensitive (Snape), or deadly (Voldemort) as in the Muggle world, but there are also those persons dear and friendly to us, as the Weasley family proves.
Then there are those recently dubbed "Potter Nazis" who behave as though they are the protectors of the Potter books and act as though the films have debased and decimated the stories, and criticize the films as though it would be quite easy to make a seven-hour film including every little moment from the books. These are unreasonable and oftentimes ignorant people who do not understand how a film is made, nor the necessity of separating the book from the movie. The movies follow the books very closely in tone and style, and apart from omissions and the cutting down of certain characters and scenes, none of the films have ever strayed so far from the books that one could think Rowling has lost her control over Warner Bros. The films stay to the books and Rowling approves the script so that future movies are not tangled up.
"Order of the Phoenix" is perhaps the most annoying of the Harry Potter books because most people hate how Harry and Umbridge act. There is so much talk and setting up for the final two books that the book is rather a job to read. This film, however, manages to focus on two key aspects of the book and requires characters and events to revolve around these two threads: A) The Ministry of Magic's denial of Voldemort's return and the actions they take against Harry and Dumbledore, and B) Harry's fears that he is becoming "bad." Therefore, a tight story is extracted for the audience to attach itself to. It is highly character-driven for Harry as we understand the pain he is going through following the previous film's story, and as we see a new story unfolding which sets Harry up with a link to Voldemort.
Unfortunately, the screenwriter did include dialogue and scenes without giving reason for their inclusion. Certain things are seen or said that the audience will have "What's going on?" moments if they pick up on these inconsistencies. They are few and far between, however, and not so terrible that they make the whole movie collapse. And admittedly, as a fan of the Harry Potter books, it would have been nice to see more of the Ministry battle with a few more scenes from the book.
Otherwise, the film stays strong with it's solid acting, particularly from Radcliffe. The possession scene at the end of the film is heartbreaking and he nails the character's feelings of isolation and depression. Keep watch for his inspired neck twisting, it's a key to his character's development in the film. Rupert Grint also has a new flavor of maturity in the film, which is very welcome. It's all about subtlety for the boys. Emma Watson, on the other hand, still acts with her eyebrows.
Imelda Staunton steps into the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this time around, making a splash as the loathed and cringe-worthy toad of a woman. She gets under your skin with every sentence and adds a little salt to make it burn. She is particularly vile and sadistic and makes Snape seem huggable. And speaking of Snape, Alan Rickman is absolutely perfect as Severus Snape, appearing for less than ten minutes of screen time but impressing with just the right amount of sarcasm and malice in his voice. Rickman has always played Snape straight from the book, but has never been allowed the twisted wit his character is known for. This time around, Rickman treats the audience to that flavor of witty disdain for Harry.
To close, it is best to acknowledge that Michael Goldenberg who wrote the screenplay will not be returning as Steve Kloves has penned the screenplay for "Half-Blood Prince." As a veteran of the Harry Potter films, Kloves will have no problem in adapting the sixth book as it's perhaps the most film-friendly in its plot, and the audience can expect a much more intense and mysterious film. It's a mindtrip of a story and those who maybe lost interest in the Potter films after "Order of the Phoenix" should reconsider: "Order of the Phoenix" seems like a decline in the series, but I can guarantee "Half-Blood Prince" will surge back as the best in the series, just on the strength of its story.