Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Rating: 7/10 (18 January 2009)

Harry Potter's internal struggle with the evil Lord Voldemort is at the heart of this cerebral installment, taking a break from the overpowering action we are used to seeing(..tournament wizard contests and such)instead focusing on a potential threat towards Hogwarts school in the chuckling new professor, Dolores Umbridge(Imelda Staunton)with her wide-eyes and seemingly modest exterior harbours an aggressive desire to have full control of the school, operating by her strict standards, attempting to remove wizardry, enabling the students to practice their craft. Secretly a war is brewing between Dumbledore(Michael Gambon)and Voldemort with Harry playing a vital chess piece. It will be revealed that either Harry or Voldemort will live but both can not co-exist, a prophesy most certain to propel the next film. But, this film does follow Harry' further growth as a powerful wizard, and his nemesis particularly in this movie is Umbridge who wishes to silence the young man from even mentioning Voldemort's name. Pursuing the knowledge of casting spells which can protect them from harm, and thus enabling them to join Dumbledore's army, Hermoine(Emma Watson)and Ron(Rupert Grint)will convince Harry to train volunteers secretly behind Umbridge's back. Harry also converses with his godfather, wrongfully accused serial killer Sirius Black(Gary Oldman)who keeps him informed of the latest news regarding what Dumbledore wishes to remain hidden for his safety. We witness a very paranoid Minster of the Ministry of Magic believing that Dumbledore may be enlisting a force against him(..perhaps in part to whispers from those who might wish to see Dumbledore out as headmaster of Hogwarts)and it's visible as the newspapers increase the unease as Potter's claim of Voldemort's return has many split, some considering it bogus, others worried that he's correct.
Film still features state-of-the-art special effects(..such as our introduction to Hagrid's giant half-brother and the frightening dementors working for Voldemort), but the emphasis is more towards Potter as a central figure as turmoil rages within the world of magic and wizardry. While growing into adulthood, the teenage students are forced into adult decisions as secret evils await them and the political order of things is a boiling pot where Voldemort is on the thoughts of everyone even if many would rather remain blinded/oblivious to such a horrifying truth. You get a nifty showdown between Dumbledore and Voldemort and the teen wizards even face off with Voldemort's brood who escape Azkaban. Potter's emergence as a powerful wizard whose humanity is his strength(..Voldemort considers him weak because of his emotions for those he loves)an unfolding character arc because he will be tested against the dark powers with Voldemort desiring to take control of his body. And, a very important plot-point emerges regarding Severus Snape(Alan Rickman)and why he holds such a grudge against Harry, concerning Potter's father. Once again we realize that Lucius Malfoy(Jason Isaacs)is a dangerous presence in that he's an agent for Voldemort working on the inside, an intruder who can disrupt things within the Ministry of Magic. Helena Bonham Carter returns in a small role as sorceress Bellatrix Lestrange, murdering a major supporting character who was such a guiding force in Harry's life. Above all, the importance of friendship is at the very core of this installment..Harry needs the support of his friends and allies more than ever before. There's a lot going on and it's clear that the screenplay tries to fit as much as possible from the source novel.