Review: A bit long, but please read - You'll find it useful!

Rating: 8/10 (11 July 2007)

For starters, this movie blew me away because it was unlike any other Harry Potter film ever created. It was taken to a completely new (and impressive) level of darkness, drama, suspense, and even the acting didn't seem so "rehearsed" but indeed had a smooth flow throughout the entire script. And there's another point, the film was not based on dialogue, but more so on flashy camera angles which range from pictures and waves coming from Harry's mind and also used to narrate the story without using words. (Which cuts what I thought would be a potential extra HOUR of film) The epic saga of Harry Potter picks up right where it left off at Goblet of Fire, immediately following Cedric Diggory's death, and the return of Lord Voldemort. Miserable at Privet Drive, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself in a tight spot when he misuses underage magic privileges in front of evil cousin Dudley in their muggle hometown against of a pair of rogue dementors. He then finds himself facing an inquiry at the hands of Minister of Magic, Fudge whose main issue with Harry and his so-called "act of self-defense" is more rooted to the fact that he refuses to believe that Lord Voldemort is back. He puts his power as Minister to good use to have the "Daily Prophet" publish stories that DENY DENY DENY the return of Lord Voldemort and of course make Harry and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) out to be crack-pots.
A secret society, The Order of the Phoenix including main characters like Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Arthur Weasley, Aurors: Mad-Eye Moody, Tonks, Kingsley, and many others have started to conduct meetings once again to come up with a plan of action against Voldemort's uprise. Although not seen or mentioned much in the film, it can be assumed that the Order's meetings continue and it is also assumed that morale is low.
Back at Hogwarts, the morale here is also less than satisfactory. Many of Harry's classmates are readers of The Daily Prophet and begin to believe the lies it beholds. Harry finds himself, even with best friends Ron and Hermione (played by Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, respectively) beside him, completely alone. He's changing and he doesn't know why, or has completely understood his connection with Voldemort.
Dolores Umbridge (played masterfully by Imelda Staunton) is sent by the Ministry to keep an eye on Hogwarts, and ends up being quite the nightmare. As she first names herself High Inquisitor she begins to issue rules that even Dumbledore cannot override, and eventually takes over the school. The performance given by Staunton is superb and truly grasps that deliciously evil disciplinary figure masked by a too-perky, too-pink nightmare.
The film introduces some new characters and revives older ones that we deemed "unimportant" up until now. Examples include Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), that we now find is someone with a purpose and a past that even Harry can relate to. Also, Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) steps up to the plate as a powerful witch who I would not want to get in a fist fight with. New to the long list of Hogwarts students is Luna Lovegood (perfectly captured by the real-life eccentric Evanna Lynch) who proves herself to be a good friend to Harry because of their similarities. She is of course, spacey, airy, and keeps on losing her shoes to forces not even I can explain, but is useful and provides Harry with SOMEONE he can actually relate to. Together along with the Weasley twins, and other students, they form whats called: Dumbledore's Army where Harry teaches his fellow students important spells that can defend them against dark forces, to Umbridge's utmost dismay.
And whilst all this is going on, Harry still manages to squeeze in his very first kiss! - not the most exciting moment of the film in my opinion. As an avid reader, I could see how this movie was a good "sum-up" of the fifth book. However, it did seem to jump around and while desperately trying to keep its traditional fluffy and fun moments of magic and excitement, I wondered why they were even there in the first place when the feel of this installment is the opposite: dark and gloomy. Impressive performances combined with dramatic lighting and music really does make a good film in this case. There is a fine line between the first four "kid-films" and this new adult drama that is sweeping over the silver screen. David Yates's vision for in my own terms: "a real movie" has clearly been defined with this film. Let the magic continue as the 6th installment begins production of September this year. I enjoyed this, but go ahead, get on your broomstick and fly your way over to your nearest theatre, sit in on a meeting with the Order of the Phoenix, and decide for yourself!