Good...But not as good as other Harry Potter movie's

Rating: 8/10 (14 July 2007)

First of all let me say I have never read any of the Harry Potter books. But I am a fan of all the movies.
When I went into Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix I didn't have high expectations. After all the great disappointments of the summer so far. So I came in to the theater thinking it would be fair, not bad because they already have an all-star like cast and a book that sets up the entire story. And after I came out of the theater I was mildly disappointed for I thought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire raised the bar.
I had two main problems with Order of the Phoenix, the first being this is the first Harry Potter movie that I could actually tell they had to leave sub-plots out and had to rush through things. When they entered Sirious Black's house and began talking I felt like I had missed something I should know that would make me have a better understanding of what I am watching. But I must say I never felt completely lost. I knew the most of the story after watching.
The other problem I had with the movie, it just didn't flow well. This may be a result of my other problem with the movie being they must of rushed or left things out. I felt like it went from event to event. Not like the climax type ladder we all know (until the final conflict). I think this came from a massive book being transformed into a two-hour movie and a new screen play writer.
I did like this movie the main thing I liked as in all Harry Potter movies is the acting, although some of the teen actors did have a few odd moments. But they always seem to get excellent actors into the movie and the new actress who played Arabella Figg was a spot on fit. The only acting problem would be giving Ralph Fiennes more screen time.
Another great thing was they did a great job with the special effects and action sequences. My favorite being when the Weasly brothers got back at Prof. Figg. Over all this is so far the best movie of the summer I have seen. It had a good story, pretty good writing, great special-effects, and great acting. I would recommend seeing this movie at least twice.