Incredible adaptation, the best yet!

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2009)

There is no earlier Harry Potter film that can better this. From the beginning to the end the spectacle, suspense and excitement never stops. All the characters are at their best and the new director has given the film a special emotional touch.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radliffe) is now in his fifth year and facing more difficulties than ever before. He is nearly expelled when he performs the Patronus charm to defend himself from an attacking dementor. While Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) and Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths) are making his life miserable he is rescued by the secret organisation known as the Order of the Phoenix. Among them are Alastor Moody, (Brendan Gleeson) Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) and Harry's godfather Sirius Black (Gary Oldman.) When he thankfully arrives at school he finds that the ministry has planted an undercover worker Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher and the high inquisitor. This horrible woman devastates the students and the teachers including Professors Albus Dumbledore, (Michael Gambon) Minerva McGonagall, (Maggie Smith) Sybil Trelawney, (Emma Thompson) Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and even Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) with her numerous rules and cruel teaching style. So a group of students including Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) have formed a club to b e taught Defence against the Dark Arts properly by Harry. When they hear that the that the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his death eaters including Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) and Sirius' cousin Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) are planning to break into the ministry of magic their skills are put to the test as they fly over to stop them.
The film also includes spectacular visual effects and the tragic but mysterious death of a main character. Directed by David Yates and co-starring Mark Williams and Julie Walters.