I loved it

Rating: 8/10 (14 July 2007)

A Harry Potter movie for the first time in the franchise's history seems almost overshadowed by the fact that the final book in this extremely successful series is due just over a week after the cinematic release of one of the book adaptations. However this brings nothing away from the fact that this movie will be extremely successful.
Before i got to see this movie Prisoner of Azkaban was by far my favourite of the adaptations with Goblet of fire close behind (mostly for it's action as i felt that it is almost disappointing after re-watching compared to its magnificent book) First and foremost i must say that i thought David Yates' version of Order of the Phoenix was as near to perfect as i could hope from the shortest movie in the series ( although it was the longest book). Daniel Radcliffe has for the first time in my opinion portrayed Harry perfectly compared to some of the weak acting we have grown accustomed to from his previous outings in the franchise. Obviously Radcliffe has matured more as an actor having a lot more confidence in his role and funnily enough this has been the hardest challenge for his character yet in terms of acting having to bring across realistic sympathy for this character who is going through all the angst and confusion of someone slowly being possessed by Voldemort. I say this because for the first time i don't think i cringed once at one thing he said in this potter movie. We may put this simply down to the fact that he bravely got his wand out on stage in "Equus" and that this gave him some confidence but i really think that Radcliffe is beginning to blossom into a good actor(perhaps a little late in the franchise but time will tell.) Now to the story, as i said the shortest movie running at 2hrs and 18mins even though it is based on a 736 page book. Of course things were going to be left out and they are, but unless we wanted a 15hr long movie there is bound to be things left out. I think where Newell failed in GOF, Yates thrived in OOTP, Yates has perfectly captured the feeling in this story showing us how alone Harry feels and the beautiful relationship he has with Sirius his godfather. This was very important for the ending of the story which i do not want to ruin for people who are not fans of the book.
So Yates brings us the story perfectly setting up relationships that we know are going to be significant in the next movie by leaving nice little subtle hints here and there. Also by using a mainly TV experienced director we have the potter series in a totally different way with completely different techniques. Never before have we had flashbacks from the other movies ( which i thought was a success) or slow motion sequences which do not come across as tacky but slotted in perfectly to catch the audiences attention or to arouse emotion also the use of the shaking camera which would usually be more of a TV thing is perfectly used in the start which makes the audience feel much more engaged in it.
The acting, well what can i say i don't think that there was one piece of extremely weak acting this time around as all the teenagers are growing into young adults and becoming much more asserted in their roles. As for new castings, Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge the High inquisitor at hogwarts was amazing. I don't think i have seen someone that deliciously evil on screen for sometime giving us a shocking performance that if an actor from a harry potter film was ever to get an Oscar nomination this would be it. A great performance in which even the slightest giggle or " so silly of me" can come across as evil.
Evanna lynch as Luna Lovegood, an Irish girl who is a major fan of the books and probably the best bit of casting in this franchise and that is not an over-statement, her dreamy voice and manner bring across the eccentricity of the bewildering character that we can't help but fall in love with.
All the cast deserve honourable mentions, Michael Gambon,Emma Watson, Rupert Grint,Gary Oldman and Helena Bonham Carter all playing their parts brilliantly.
All in all, this movie is a brilliantly crafted tense thriller throughout relying on the eerie atmosphere throughout the second act to catch the audiences attention, we can feel a great sense of growing danger but not one that we can fully put our finger on. Also, This movie is probably, the most touching,moving,and funny of the series so far with great thought put into character development and relationships between the characters.
Harry is growing up having his first kiss in this movie which i thought was a well done scene but surpassed by the one that followed in which Harry is asked by Ron and Hermione " How was it?" "Wet" He Replies.
Also with Michael Gambon back on form as Dumbledore the scene in which he escapes arrest is perfectly done with a great sign off from Shacklebolt, " I know you may not like him minister, but you gotta admit Dumbledore's got style" This movie sets us up for what is to come since POA we have known that harry ain't no little kid with silly magic tricks and the darkness in the the 5th movie of the potter franchise perfectly conveys this with the amazing third act at the ministry that will leave you literally begging for more.
I give this a slightly biased 10/10 which some people may think is a lot.. but i loved it and i highly recommend it to everyone but i think it will be much more in the taste of the book's fans.