Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – KC’s Review

“FINALLY!” “AT LAST!!!” After a summer of disappointing movies, I actually left a theatre with those simple sentiments. This past Tuesday night I attended a midnight showing of the new Harry Potter film. There were many “hard core” fans there, dressed up, carrying broomsticks, wearing their Hogwards ties and cloaks…This all makes the experience a bit ridiculous, yet fun, and it brings some great energy to a theatre.

I went to see this movie with extremely high hopes, which of course is not a good idea with any movie(especially with this year’s disappointments). I was not let down. In fact, I didn’t think it would be NEAR as good as it was. I had read the book prior to the movie, and though, naturually, some things were left out, they hit every main point that needed to be hit.

First, the acting overrall was top knotch. The kid actors are getting better with each movie. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) put on great performances. I have to say there is no better actor for the character of Sirius Black than Gary Oldman. He just has a great energy about him in this film. It is a shame his character was not developed more in the previous books/films, but in this movie, he becomes your “favorite” very easily.

This movie sticks with the dark tone set in “The Prisoner of Azkaban.” In my opinion, it is the darkest film of the series yet. Voldemort is literally invading Harry’s mind and making him do things against his will, people are being attacked and mauled by Voldemorts creatures, adults are violently harming children throughout the film, evil teachers are conducting inhuman punishments on students, and the kids are even using “forbidden curses.” They truly brought out the horrible things which the book put into your head.

The best part of this story is that there is a war going on now. Everyone thinks they could die at any time. People are getting scared, but they’re also fighting back. Harry is teaching students how to defend themselves, and this part of the movie was done brilliantly. We actually get to see a small part of the war at the end of the movie. The entire end section of the film at the “Department of Mysteries” was UNBELIEVABLE. The Order fighting the Death Eaters had the entire theatre going nuts! Once again, Gary Oldman shines here!!!

The comedy in this movie was well placed as well. Yes the movie is dark, and more violent than the others so far, yet the film shows that you can still have a nice blend of drama, action and comedy, things movies like Spiderman 3 and Transformers failed to do.

Up to this point, The Prisoner of Azkaban has been my favorite of the bunch, but this one just took its place. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the best movie of the summer, and the best movie experience I’ve had in years. I say THANKS to Yates and the group who put this great film together!!! I believe in movies once again.