Another entertaining addition

Rating: 7/10 (9 August 2007)

The fifth film in the Harry Potter series was always going to be the one that could have been a problem in my opinion.I say this because the book 'Order of the Phoenix' was very long and there were parts of it that were drawn out too much although it was still a good read.I am happy to report that I feel that the film makers got it just about right with what they left out of the book and left in the film.
I won't bore you with the plot as you probably know it already.Needless to say,the special effects are very good and the final face off between Lord Voldemort and Dumbledore is very well done and creates just the right level of tension and,importantly,it isn't overblown to the point of being ridiculous.The story flows pretty well although some of it does seem a little rushed at times.
Acting wise,Daniel Radcliffe gives his best performance yet as Harry.I also felt that Emma Watson was back to her best as Hermione.Rupert Grint wasn't really given that much to do to be honest and the same applies to Emma Thompson,Brendan Gleeson,David Thewliss,Alan Rickman,Julie Walters,Maggie Smith and Ralph Fiennes.It must be said that they are all very good with what they had to do.As for the newcomer's,Imelda Staunton scored as Dolores Umbridge and clearly had a ball playing her.Young Evanna Lynch does well as Luna Lovegood although she didn't always convince.Helena Bonham Carter makes a great impression as Bellatrix Lestrange but she only appears late on.I do feel that the best performance came from Gary Oldman as Syrius Black.He really seemed to become the character and I was impressed with the way he acted with just his facial expressions.He was very good in this,just as he usually is.
This is an entertaining movie in it's own right and keeps the epic tale of Harry Potter ticking along nicely.