Exciting Potter Advantage

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2009)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is one of the best Harry Potter films, a very close second to The Prisoner of Azkaban. Here is an exciting fantasy film, with the darker elements of Harry Potter being brought to the screen, and has additional character depth.
Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) had raised once again and he starts recruiting his forces. He is able to send Dementors to attack Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his cousin Dudley (Harry Melling), where Harry is forced to use the Patronus Charm. The Ministry of Magic expel Harry from Hogwarts and an enquiry is launched. Harry discovers that the Minster for Magic Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) denies that Voldemort has risen, fearing the backlash and started a media campaign against Harry and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). After Harry is saved by Dumbledore, Fudge sends his loyal employee Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) to serve as Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. The aim is to undermine Dumbledore, and spread Ministry Propaganda. She is a horrible woman, sickly sweet on the outside, but has no problem torturing students and harbours 'racist' thoughts about non-humans, like centaurs. The ministry aims to avoid teaching practical magic, so Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) form their own class to teach students, calling it Dumbledore's Army. Harry shows that he is a good teacher. The classes also gives Harry a chance to get close to the lovely Cho Chang (Katie Leung); but both still suffer from guilt of the death of Cedric Diggory. Harry also suffers nightmares and imagines involving Voldemort. He is aware Voldemort wants something from the Ministry and wants to stop him. Snape (Alan Rickman) tries to teach Harry have to block the imagines.
After Mike Newell left the director's chair, a number of directors were approached, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Michael Vaughen and Mira Nair. In the end David Yates was picked to direct, a man who proved himself on British television, and has a nack for the darker elements of life. He ends up being a good fit for the series, showing a good hand with the special effects, brought in his own vision style (e.g. the newspapers), kept the film well paced, had an exciting eye for wizarding battles and shown to be good at casting. This was a very dark film, with deeper themes about politics, the media, and the psychology of grief and isolation. He is one of the best directors the Potter series had and he is the man who is going to finish the series. As well as the main cast returning showing their talent, there are new additions. Imelda Staunton was good as sickly Umbridge, and Evanna Lynch shows she is a promising young actress. Helena Botham Carter was perfect casting as the psychotic Bellatrix Lestrange; she is one of my favourite actresses. Gary Oldman is given a lot to do and shows why he is one of the best actors around. Radcliffe brings out the fact Harry becomes an angry and isolated teenager, wanting to fight but unable to do much about it. Ralph Fiennes does not have much screen time, but still shows what a great villain he is. He plays Voldemort also like the Emperor from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
This is the only Potter film that was not written by screenwriter Steve Kloves. Michael Goldenberg is given the tough task of adapting the longest Harry Potter books, and one of the most entertaining into a film. He does it and somehow with David Yates makes the shortest Potter film. He is forced to cut subplots like the Quidditch matches and the scene at St. Mungo's Hospital, but the key plot reminds and he keeps the dark tone of the film. Out of all the Potter films this is the most serious (and I like that). I do however criticise the changes to the Harry and Cho relationship, I would have liked to have seen more of that.
Very enjoyable fantasy.