My favorite book---my favorite movie

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2007)

**contains spoilers**
Up until now, I have found the Potter movie franchise to be a bit of a mess. Director after director---each with his own stamp, for better or worse. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a refreshing change, especially after that disaster of the Goblet of Fire. Finally, there is heart and the editing, for the most part, makes sense (crazy thought I know.) The visuals are simply stunning. Snape's memory is well shot. The final confrontation with Voldemort is amazing, and the possession scene is fabulous. And I couldn't be happier with the thestrals. Casting is well done. Luna is perfect, Umbridge is fun to hate, and Bellatrix is wonderfully over-the-top. The main characters are really coming into their own. Radcliff(I think Equus helped) is finally showing he has some damned talent. Watson has improved (though she is still the most wooden out of the group) And, due to Dumbledore's seeming lack of interest in Harry, Gambon is finally doing well with the role. Oldman finally gets the screen time he has deserved. I was quite pleased that essence of Snape's lessons were kept intact. Alan Rickman is wonderful. And Jason Issacs got his chance to shine finally as the somewhat desperate Lucius. And Voldemort really seems like the most evil wizard to ever live. Overall, this movie was quite good and definitely worth seeing. Though some will find everything possible to critique and pick at (like infinitesimal details like Kingsley's hat), I think most people will be pleased with it. Despite the fact that some of the plot omissions are disappointing, this movie is definitely an 8/10.