The Good and Evil in Harry

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2007)

Director David Yates's "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" takes a distinctively dark turn, and is the most compelling of the Harry Potter movies. In "Order of the Phoenix" the dark Lord Voldermort (Ralph Fiennes) returns, and the prophecy revealed regarding his bond to the emerging Harry (Daniel Radcliffe). Introspective and tortured Harry asks his godfather Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), " What if I'm becoming bad?" Sirius Black reassures, "You're a good person We all have both light and dark inside us. What matters is the power we choose to act on." Harry sees own his darkness. "Harry Potter" becomes classical hero mythology. Harry must use his powers for good and not evil, at the same time fearing that he maybe becoming that which he despises. In the prophecy either Harry or Voldermort will survivethere can be only one. Their destiny is intertwined and ultimately mysterious. During the climatic battle with Lord Voldermort Harry's mentor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) tells Harry (Radcliffe), "It's not so much how you are alike, but how much you are not..." "Order of the Phoenix" is engrossing I suspect like the J.K. Rowling's book, because it is about the conflict of good and evil within Harry. As Harry, Daniel Radcliffe is powerful and commanding.
I am not a "Harry Potter" literatehave not read any of the books. Although, Michael Goldenberg's screenplay of the J.K. Rowling's book is articulate and coherentquickly resuming the story since last movieI had to defer to my bud Chuck for some Harry Potter 101. For example, in the opening I did not know what the soul-stealing creatures threatening Harry and his friend were. However, in evoking his powers against the creatures to protect a human or Muggle violates Wizard law. The Ministry means to expel Harry from Hogwarts for this breachwhich seems more of conspiracy. Hogwarts Headmaster Dumbledore (strong and wise Michael Gambon) defends Harry, and in the process reveals Lord Voldermort return. His possible return is dismissed vehemently by the Ministry. Harry is free to return for the school term at Hogwarts along with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint). Joining the School faculty is Dolores Umbridge (very good Imelda Staunton) as the new instructor of the Defensive Arts, who seems more interested in theory than practicing actual magic. Umbridge seems evil in that her world seems to reside entirely inside her head. Harry takes it upon himself at Hermione's prodding to instruct fellow students in the Defensive Arts (magic that can be used against the Dark Lord). Meanwhile, Harry enlists with his godfather Sirius Black (Oldman) and the Order of the Phoenix that originally formed to battle Lord Voldermort the first time around. Harry himself as a child survived a vicious attack from Voldermort, but now questions his prowess and virtue for their inevitable conflict. Desperate times require similar action as Harry is trained by the morally ambiguous Serves Snape (slithering Alan Rickman). There are several more story lines with the main focus on Harry and Voldermort. Rowling's story of choice conveys that in the darkest of times, true magic comes from love, courage, and community.
The acting in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is impeccable starting with Daniel Radcliffe. Maturing Radcliffe brings an authentic teen angst to Harry. Radcliffe has a powerful and compassionate presence as the hero accepting his responsibility and destiny. He is also up to the challenge of Fiennes' menacing presence. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint seem to have reduced roles as Hermione and Ron with focus on Harry and Voldermort. Watson remains charming and radiant. Grint is becoming a talented comic actor. Michael Gambon is commanding as Dumbledore. It's great to see the venerable wizard in battle. Gary Oldman is charismatic and noble as Sirius Black. Ralph Fiennes may not be on the screen all that much as Voldermort, but his presence dominates "Order of the Phoenix". Fiennes embodies a visceral evil and evokes a powerful presence. He is awesome.
Acknowledge David Yates and Michael Goldenberg for their captivating and visually stunning storytelling. I saw a digital projection of the movie that was spectacular. Theirs is a classic story of the battle against great evil, and the compelling internal conflict of good and evil within Harry himself. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" has courageous heroes and powerful villains all in a great movie.