Quick Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (the movie as opposed to the book, video game or lunchbox)

Talk about an appetite wetter, the 5th Harry Potter film might be the biggest tease in cinematic history and I mean that as a compliment. Remember Back to the Future 2 or god forbid the second Matrix film and how they were essentially holding pieces to get you to the next film and then the next one sucked as well? That’s the feel that this movie has but unlike those two it delivers an experience all its own while still raising the expectations for the next film to a new high. As a fan of the books I knew the story going in but unknown director David Yates does a great job of bringing the darkness, pain and internal conflict Harry feels out onto the screen. Daniel Radcliffe has really grown up as an actor right before our eyes and his performance this time round is pitch perfect as he walks the fine line between audience empathy and dislike. The usual supporting cast is back and while we don’t get as much of Alan Rickman’s Professor Snape as I’d like he makes the most of his time on screen. Cast newcomers Imelda Stanton and Ivanna Lynch both shine in their respective roles as Delores Umbridge and Luna Lovegood respectively. Umbridge was one of the most horrifying characters to me in the books and Stanton certainly does her justice with her evil grin of properness. Lynch feels as if she stepped straight out of the book and my imagination. This is exactly how Luna looked and sounded in my head. The movie is short compared to the previous films and as such some of the guts of the book have been taken out. As a huge fan of the books I must admit the 3 or 4 subplots that were missing really didn’t bother me because of the fine pace of the movie. Strangely my biggest complaint is also my favorite aspect. The final battle in the book takes place over multiple chapters and is quite lengthy. In the movie the final scenes were disappointingly short. On the flip side, the shorter ending still embodies what the Potter series is all about; drama, action, mythos, and does so with an excitement and tension that has the audience on the edge of their seat. Most of all, the ending leaves you wanting more and what higher compliment can a film receive then making you anticipate a sequel even if you have knowledge of what lies ahead.