A Worthy successor to Goblet of Fire!

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2007)

While not as good as it's predecessor, Order of the Phoenix is definitely one of the top three in the series.
The story is well known among Potter fans but I'll say this. It is about Harry and his friends preparing for a war with the newly resurrected Lord Voldemort. Plus, Hogwarts has to put up with an agent from the Ministry of Magic who is attempting to take over Hogwarts because her boss feels that Dumbledore, the headmaster of the school, is after his job.
I have to say that I went in expecting a lot. The film turned out to be roughly as good as I had hoped, with drawbacks that were counterbalanced by an incredible level of emotional intensity.
First, the direction is good. This movie is beautifully photographed, like the last two in the series. The camera angles are solid, and the colors have a level of vibrancy that suits the story well. The lighting is good. The costuming is well done, and the production has a good felling to it. The sets however, leave much to be desired! The script is imperfect, but adequate. Some of the dialog could have been done much better.
The Music score is exceptional, as always in Potter films.
This is probably the most emotional Potter film so far. The viewers feelings are summoned powerfully and potently.
But what really make this movie, are the actors!!! Radcliffe as harry, is very believable as a teen facing all kinds of emotional stress. Grint as Ron, does well, and Watson once again is exceptional as Hermione! Alan Rickman once again does perfect as Snape! Most of all however, is Fiennes as Voldemort. He is very believable as this villain, oozing evil and frightening! He really makes this movie even though he doesn't have much screen time. However, they are all weighed down by Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. Jeez a miss Richard Harris! Gambon is unbelievably wooden as the wise elder! So overall, the good far outweighed the bad and here we have by far the best movie of 2007!