UK Release Date. 12 July 2007
Certification. 12A
Running Time. 2 hours 18 mins
Director. David Yates
Cast. Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Rupert Grint, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Emma Watson.
Rating. 63%
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was almost certainly going to prove to be the most difficult book in the series to adapt for the big screen. The 900-page source material was the size of a doorstop but was somewhat elegantly streamlined by screenwriter, Michael Goldenberg (who replaced Steve Kloves). Goldenberg addressed J.K. Rowling's weighty tome by shortening the story - focusing on one strand of the multi-layered novel.
For despite Lord Voldemort's return, the Ministry of Magic, in particular Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) is intent on denial and implements a conspiracy campaign in order to cover up the evidence. The Ministry of Magic sends High Inquisitor, Dolores Umbridge (a delightfully devilish Imelda Staunton) to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the Defence Against The Dark Arts Teacher [the fifth Defence Against The Dark Arts Teacher in five films], who instead of preparing the students for the inevitable conflict appears to impede preparation. In a film that features Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), Bellatrix LeStrange (Helena Bonham Carter), Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) and Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), it is the performance of Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge that very nearly steals the show.
Director David Yates creates some interesting set pieces in isolation and endeavours to create tension from the ominous and omnipotent presence of 'He who must not be named.' Throughout Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix there is an uneasy, foreboding feeling of knowing something is going to happen, but that Harry, Ron and Hermione are not equipped to handle what will come.
The film proves to be engaging enough but never matches the sense of wonderment of the early films and J.K. Rowling's prose. Instead, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix is a collection of interesting moments rather than a fully fledged, coherent, dramatic experience. These vignettes lead to a stunning finale and the definitive wand battle at the climax of the film. And whilst Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix may align the final pieces ahead of the inevitable conflict, I can't help but think that the narrative has barely moved on from the conclusion of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.
As an avid book reader, Order of the Phoenix is far too long, repetitive and descriptive as a novel. The film takes it to a whole different level and is easily ten times better (the only film in the series upon which that statement can be categorically agreed with). Rose to my second favourite Potter film upon re-watch and re-read.
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