Movie review of The Order of the Phoenix

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HARRY POTTER and the PLEASURE OF NIGHTMARES

July 11th 2007 00:46

My fiancé and I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night at Sydney’s IMAX cinema. The twenty minute finale was in 3-D! However I need to set a matter straight before I launch into any kind of review of the movie; y’see I’m not a Potter fan. In fact I’m an anti-Pottertarian. Actually that’s probably a bit harsh, but I’ll certainly admit to scoffing at the whole series of books ever since they seized the literary world by storm.

The more popular the books – and the subsequent movies – became the more cynical my jibes became. Part of my derision was based on the stories’ content and style, part of it was based on the majority rule, and a small part was probably based on a twitch of envy.

Have prophecy, will travel

Everytime I bad-mouthed the Harry Potter Realm my fiancé would chastise me. She’s a Virgo, I’m a Sagittarian. She’d read The Philosopher’s Stone and seen the movie and also seen The Goblet of Fire. Like the vast majority of the world (it seems) she found the books to be enchanting and hugely entertaining for both children and adults alike. I resisted. Why?

Harry, Hermione and Ron in a spot of trouble

There seemed to be something gratingly nice about the books, despite the books inherent dealings with good and evil, wizards, witches, dragons and “death eaters”. There was something cloying and over-descriptive about the prose, and the latter books simply looked over-long. I have trouble with novels that sprout too many sub-plots that meander this way and that (I always preferred The Hobbit over The Lord of the Rings).

Dolores Umbridge holding fort

Don’t get me wrong, I love the supernatural and the whole “Dungeons and Dragons” mythology, but the fact that everyone was reading these damn books, from the eight-year-old boy on the bus to the 80-year-old lady sitting next to him, just well, it bugged me. It’s like I was being told to read them, like it was some kind of academic text and I was back at school.

Snip, snap, Snape!

I loved, and still love, Roald Dahl. J.K. Rowling’s books remind me a little of Dahl’s prowess at capturing the fevered imaginations both of children and adults (with Enid Blyton thrown in for sugary measure). One could argue Rowling has succeeded further in combining the readership of both age-groups, whereas Dahl wrote books specifically for children and specifically for adults.

A dementor on the loose!

I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter adventures, and I’ve only seen The Goblet of Fire from a distracted distance, as my fiance’s young niece had the DVD playing on loop one afternoon in the living room while we were on holiday. The Goblet of Fire had a few moments that held my attention, but on the whole the protagonists and the narrative stylistics were all a tad young for me. I did like the Voldemort confrontation stuff though (of course).

This brings me to The Order of the Phoenix, the fifth installment in the adventures of Harry Potter. To be honest one of the main reasons I felt compelled to see this movie was the lure of the 3-D gimmick. But also, because Harry Potter is older now, 18, and the movie’s tone looked to be darker, more up my alley.

Kings Cross tube Station never looked like this

Well, I my expectations were exceeded. I enjoyed the movie, and I loved the 3-D! I had garnered some of the back story to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the evil of Voldemort, but still there were many characters that I had to quickly ascertain their significance and relationship to the overall arc of Harry Potter’s journey.

The Dark Lord loves the taste of fire

David Yates, a Brit director of mostly gritty television work including The Bill and the doco series Sex Traffic, has been brought on board, and he’s done such a good job he’s helming the next Potter installment, The Half-Blood Prince, as well. The screenplay is by Michael Goldenberg, who replaces Steve Kloves who adapted the previous four movies. Word on the cyber-street is that many feel Goldenberg’s feel for the source material is more on the money than Kloves, however Kloves has been contracted to pen the screenplay for The Half-Blood Prince, much to the disdain of many Pottertarians. I can’t really comment.

Bellatrix with one of her tricks

However what I can throw my two pennies worth in for is the dynamic casting and sensational production values of The Order of the Phoenix. Obviously there are many returning faces, the younger ones looking a little leaner in the face. Stand-outs performances include Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge and, although she doesn’t have much screen time, Helena Bonham Carter once again chews the scenery (for once Gary Oldman keeps his manners). Daniel Radcliffe is good, grappling with the dark forces coursing inside of him. Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley, another with nominal screen time, is wonderfully hideous. Alan Rickman is great as Snape (read: Alan Rickman in black), and he works it. Also of note is newcomer Evanna Lynch as oddball Luna Lovegood.

Voldemort's shards of darkness

There are more big actors in small roles than you can shake a wizard’s wand at. But for me the scene stealer was the battle in the Department of Mysteries … in 3-D!!! (A red pair of glasses flashed up on the bottom of the screen momentarily indicating for the cinema audience to don our oversized 3-D shades). This was a brilliantly executed extended nightmare sequence to rival anything I’ve seen in recent years. The flurry of witchcraft forces between the Dark Lord and Professor Dumbledore and the peripheral action was a three-dimensional whirlwind of dark and dangerous CGI magic!

The movie’s tense and nightmarish opening scenes at the park and in the tunnel were also memorable, setting the mood and tone. As was the scene involving the centaurs (but of course, I’m a Saggi, remember). And Ralph does make a decidedly diabolical warlock, I must say.

The entire movie looked great, a wizard’s hats off to cinematographer Slawomir Idziak, the Polish magician of light who shot the brooding colours of Kryzstof Kieslowski’s The Double Life of Veronique and Three Colours Blue.

So there you have it. I found Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix a very entertaining movie. I can't comment on the book-to-movie comparison, or how this movie racks up against the others, and I won’t admit I’m an immediate Harry Potter convert - it is very unlikely I’ll ever read the novels - but having been rather impressed by The Order of the Phoenix, and having now an understanding of where the action ahead lies, I’ll no doubt be anticipating the movie adaptations of The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows …. Hmmm, who will it be who bites the magic dust?

* images on this page are courtesy of www.outnow.ch

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

21 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by David

July 11th 2007 01:03

Bryn,

Well that's it for you, now you have a fiance.

It won't be long before you're Blog title changes to Chick-Flicks.

And your subtitle reads:

“Men create lies. Women can't be trusted.” - Bryn (formerly of Horrorfile, now of ChickFlicks).

Now that's true HORROR!

I'll have to go back to reading books like Dahl's 'Where the Wild Things Were'?

David ...

Comment by Lara M

July 11th 2007 01:38

Love Speaks
Food Slate

I reckon...once u start reading, you'll be a convert...

Thanks for a great review and pix!

Comment by Lilla

July 11th 2007 01:39

From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop

Bryn,

..my teenager and I are very much looking forward to this one ...

Lilla

Comment by Craigie C

July 11th 2007 01:46

Good one Bryn,
Keeping it real. I'm with you. I can't stand those nobs reading Harry Potter Books on the train along with The Da Vinci Code. There's no real reason to hate them but you just do.
I don't mind the Potter films even though they do rip off Lord Of the Rings every now and then, so I'll check it out. Awesome they have a 3D element.

Comment by KylieW

July 11th 2007 02:46

Celebrity Obsession

Bryn,

I too noticed the term fiance'. Last I recall you referring to your lovely other half, she was your girlfriend. Congrats.

Anyway, on to the important stuff. I'm so going to see this at Imax! I didn't know about the 3D thing. That's cool!! I love the Harry Potter books (I've pre-ordered The Deathly Hallows and am waiting expectantly).

The movie sounds great. I don't think the movies have ever been a disappointment.....which is nice. I love Alan Rickman, he's wonderful as Snape. I also have a crush on Rupert Gring who plays Ron (which is sad because he's about 12.....but I'm not going to do anything about it!!!!!!!!!).

I can't wait to see this movie. Great review!!!!

Kylie

Comment by Damo

July 11th 2007 03:02

Good review Bryn

I will prbably be forced to this film by my pack of bloodthirsty offspring.

On a side note congrates with engagement.
To contradict David:
I don't expect horrorphile to suffer because of it. I only pretended to like chick flicks for a while

Anyway if you are a true gore hound you will have child birth to look forward to. Expect the unexpected.

Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner

July 11th 2007 03:23

Bryn,

omg, you've been sucked into the Harry Potter Whirlwind haven't you? Poor poor man...

LOL

I will admit I had read the books when I was yougnger yes, I had seen the first TWO movies just to be if they came anywhere close to the novels...

But after that, they lost all attraction...

But, this is a great review!

Take care,

Nick

Comment by Lilla

July 11th 2007 03:56

From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop

Bryn,

I can't log in to modify my original comment (maddening as..aaargh!)...

but I wanted to say, CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!

Lilla

Comment by Cibbuano

July 11th 2007 04:49

Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

Bryn, read the books.

Read them! Read them! I expect a book report on my desk by tuesday.

I've read one, and found it dull. Like mind candy.

The movies, though, are creepy enough to appeal. And this one sounds good, by your review.

Comment by Bryn

July 11th 2007 06:33

Horrorphile

Great comments everyone, cheers! And muchos gracias on the congrats, I'll let my gorgeousNess know ...

Cibby, you tell me to read them, but that they're dull and like mind candy ... hmmm, I like more bite to my literary sandwiches. You'd enjoy this latest installment on the HUGE screen, the 3-D sequence is worth the price of admission alone!

Lara, you reckon I'd end up a convert if I read them, huh? That's what I hear from a certain other half ... hmmm.

I prefer the hardboiled science fiction of Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan than the flighty fantasies of J.K. Rowling ...

But, oh, those 3-D images keep coming back!! Director David Yates and the CGI crew did a fantastic job!

Comment by Bryn

July 11th 2007 06:47

Horrorphile

david ....
you wanna come round my house friday night, I got some chocolate ice cream, a gorgeous new scarlet nail polish ... and a copy of when harry met sally.

Comment by David

July 11th 2007 06:55

Bryn,

Only if I can have what you're having. (Sorry about that, couldn't resist. But you did mention Harry and Sally).

David ...

PS: Do you have any suggestions as to what I should wear? I'd like to wear something that takes the attention off the few extra kilos I've put on my buttocks and thighs over the winter months.

Comment by JohnDoe

July 11th 2007 07:06

Film & TV on DVD

It seems you and I have the hot button topic today...

Great review, as you said it seems we share similar views on this.

I'm envious of the 3D shuffle, but even on a regular screen those effects were pretty schmick. (easy to see that the Imax is essential)

Comment by Bryn

July 11th 2007 08:44

Horrorphile

David,
we'll be very naughty and maybe have a midnight snack! don't worry about those extar kilos ... i got 'em too ... lol

Comment by Bryn

July 11th 2007 08:45

Horrorphile

JD, damn you for being in pole position .... lol

Comment by Anonymous

July 11th 2007 10:52

I just got back from the first screening at 12:00 with my mom; We needed air. I decided to look online amongst google for a friend and came upon this.I'm not really into critics; I never have really been able to trust them. Your writing is glorious though. I find it to be true to the facts and as one of the few to pick up th book before it's social demand I find it a sad sight to see some whimpering with hate at a now conformist book. I'm glad you could pass all that, It really does get better over time, the exception being this book, and If you care to read it quickly the sixth is the best book yet. I might just check out the 3D-imax eventually. Well just thought I would share. Have fun.

Comment by Bryn

July 12th 2007 00:32

Horrorphile

Anon, thanks for the comment! Someone else told me the sixth book is the best .... yet. Maybe I will, maybe I won't ...

Comment by Cibbuano

July 12th 2007 03:06

Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

Bryn, I'm only telling you to read the books to fuel your bitter cynicism. I wouldn't actually recommend them when you could read, say, Lovecraft instead.

But I will check out this 3D action, I think...

Comment by Bryn

July 12th 2007 04:53

Horrorphile

Cibby, of course, I should've picked up on your sarcasm there, sometimes the finer elements of wry humour gets lost in print .... You'll love the 3-D sequence ... it rivals Transformers for sheer spectacle.

Comment by Candice

July 12th 2007 10:47

If you liked this movie, you'll probably like the next books in the series - very much darker and more 'evil' than the early chapters.

I actually liked this movie better than the book though. Because it was such a long book a lot was cut, and I enjoyed a little less of the 'political injustice' angle.

Great review!

Comment by Bryn

July 12th 2007 23:25

Horrorphile

Candice, Orble film nut JD mentioned to me how they'd cut most of the political angle of the book ... Personally that would've probably bored me somewhat as a non-Pottertarian ... I found Order of the Phoenix to be paced rather well ... J.K. rowling won't have a bar of anyone editing her original manuscripts, thus the novels have got increasingly longer and longer and longer .... She and Stephen King should get together ... lol
Cheers for the props!

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