Daniel Radcliffe front and center

Rating: 8/10 (10 February 2008)

Another new director to the series, David Yates, takes the helm for this iteration of Potter. Less stylistically flared than it's predecessors, Phoenix is more even in tone. The visual richness of Hogwarts is lacking as all takes a backseat to Daniel Radcliffe. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are pushed farther from center stage and the spotlight narrows on Harry Potter. Some of which is worked into the plot and it may be the books work the same, I've only read the first so I can't say. Potter is once again in trouble for using magic outside the school only this time the consequences are more severe and he is expelled from Hogwarts. Overall, I think this may be my favorite of the series, perhaps because it is the least kiddish.