Review: Harry Potter movie has something for everyone
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, July 12, 2007
That much-talked-about kiss isn't the only sign that Harry Potter has matured.
In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," he stages a rebellion against the forces of evil, deals with major loss in his life and sets the stage for what should be a pretty good showdown in the end.
But, first, that kiss. While rallying Hogwarts students against a particularly cruel teacher, the vile Dolores Umbridge (a delicious Imelda Staunton), Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to test his mettle as an instructor. He does well and is rewarded with a kiss -- a pretty long, educated kiss from a fellow student. The relationship doesn't advance, but Harry does. He has to figure out how to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and restore order at his school.
Because Harry used his magic in front of a Muggle (don't ask), he was expelled from school and brought before a jury of wizards. He's exonerated, thanks to Dumbledore's testimony but Dolores -- the school's instructor in the Ministry of Magic department -- is in the minority. And she's more than willing to get revenge at Hogwarts. That spells detention, a pretty vile scaring ceremony and more rules than a castle wall can hold.
Harry, meanwhile, rallies the troops (not unlike a revolutionary in some dictatorship) and begins teaching his own brand of magic. It works and gives just about everyone in the series opportunity to check in.
Freed of time-killers like Quidditch, director David Yates is able to concentrate more on character -- and acting. Radcliffe has grown nicely into the role and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are turning out to be nice young actors as friends Ron and Hermione. The film, though, belongs to Staunton, who looks like Queen Elizabeth but acts like Maleficent. She's a steel magnolia, cloyingly nice on the outside, deadly serious on the inside. Like a religious zealot, she has an unsettling demeanor that makes even the steadfast shake. Watch the showdown between Dolores and Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and you'll see just how imposing this squat little woman can be.
While "Order of the Phoenix" has one of those annoying "back to school" segments (can we please just get on with it?), it moves well and doesn't take an extra 40 minutes to introduce the various toys concocted in J.K. Rowling's books.
This edition, in fact, almost breezes past the living newspapers and paper airplanes. It concentrates on relationships -- adult -- relationships and the need for doing what's right, not what's easy.
Considering most film series tire after the third installment, it's nice to see "Harry Potter" catch its breath in time for two more editions.
Almost Dickensian in nature, the series has a sprawl that sucks you in. If you haven't seen at least one Harry Potter film, this might be the place to start. "Order of the Phoenix" doesn't mess around with nickel-and-dime magic. It goes for the big stuff and teaches you the value -- and responsibility -- of talent.
The lessons Harry learns aren't wasted. As this film shows, there's something for everyone to absorb.
Rated PG-13, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" features several scenes of violence.
On a scale of four stars, "Order of the Phoenix" gets:
3 stars
In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," he stages a rebellion against the forces of evil, deals with major loss in his life and sets the stage for what should be a pretty good showdown in the end.
But, first, that kiss. While rallying Hogwarts students against a particularly cruel teacher, the vile Dolores Umbridge (a delicious Imelda Staunton), Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to test his mettle as an instructor. He does well and is rewarded with a kiss -- a pretty long, educated kiss from a fellow student. The relationship doesn't advance, but Harry does. He has to figure out how to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and restore order at his school.
Because Harry used his magic in front of a Muggle (don't ask), he was expelled from school and brought before a jury of wizards. He's exonerated, thanks to Dumbledore's testimony but Dolores -- the school's instructor in the Ministry of Magic department -- is in the minority. And she's more than willing to get revenge at Hogwarts. That spells detention, a pretty vile scaring ceremony and more rules than a castle wall can hold.
Harry, meanwhile, rallies the troops (not unlike a revolutionary in some dictatorship) and begins teaching his own brand of magic. It works and gives just about everyone in the series opportunity to check in.
Freed of time-killers like Quidditch, director David Yates is able to concentrate more on character -- and acting. Radcliffe has grown nicely into the role and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are turning out to be nice young actors as friends Ron and Hermione. The film, though, belongs to Staunton, who looks like Queen Elizabeth but acts like Maleficent. She's a steel magnolia, cloyingly nice on the outside, deadly serious on the inside. Like a religious zealot, she has an unsettling demeanor that makes even the steadfast shake. Watch the showdown between Dolores and Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and you'll see just how imposing this squat little woman can be.
While "Order of the Phoenix" has one of those annoying "back to school" segments (can we please just get on with it?), it moves well and doesn't take an extra 40 minutes to introduce the various toys concocted in J.K. Rowling's books.
This edition, in fact, almost breezes past the living newspapers and paper airplanes. It concentrates on relationships -- adult -- relationships and the need for doing what's right, not what's easy.
Considering most film series tire after the third installment, it's nice to see "Harry Potter" catch its breath in time for two more editions.
Almost Dickensian in nature, the series has a sprawl that sucks you in. If you haven't seen at least one Harry Potter film, this might be the place to start. "Order of the Phoenix" doesn't mess around with nickel-and-dime magic. It goes for the big stuff and teaches you the value -- and responsibility -- of talent.
The lessons Harry learns aren't wasted. As this film shows, there's something for everyone to absorb.
Rated PG-13, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" features several scenes of violence.
On a scale of four stars, "Order of the Phoenix" gets:
3 stars
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