Joe Barber Reviews “HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHEONIX”

by Joe Barber on Jul.11, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

MOVIE REVIEW: “HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHEONIX”

In a summer movie season dominated by sequels that have little fresh to offer, “Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix,” stands out for a muber of reasons. First and foremost, it’s a fast paced and entertaining trip through the latest adventures of the teenage wizard, hiis friends and enemies. The film also reflects the care and attention to detail that author J.K. Rowlin insisted be brought to the film adaptations of her books. These on and off screen elements, combined with well concieved plots that have more going on than a simple adventure story, make the series irresistible and this movie one of the summer’s cinematic gems.

As the movie begins, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is back with his nasty relatives, awaiting the start of the next school year at Hogwart’s. When he and his muggle (human, non-wizard) cousin are attacked by dementors, Harry uses a spell to save their lives. Since performing magic in front of muggles while being under the age of seventeen is a violation of the rules of the Ministry of Magic, Harry is expelled from Hogwarts.

When Harry is allowed to defend himself at a hearing of the Ministry, thanks to the intersession of Hogwart’s headmaster Dumbledor (Micjael Gambon,) the expulsion is revered. Biut the hearing unleashes a wave of official paranoia and repression at Hogwart’s , led by a Minisrty of Magic undersecretary (”Vera Drake” ’s Imelda Staunton.) While Harry tries to repair the strains in his relationship with close friends Ron and Hermione (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson,) he tries to convince the authority figures that the dark and evil Lord Voldemort is preparing to strike. Before too long, Harry’s world will be turned upside down with confusion, grief, renewed kinship and the first stirrings of lpve. But will these things be enough to help the young wizrds and their teachers surivive the Ministry’s suspicions and the Dark Lord’s gathering forces ?

Director David Yates and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg get this film going quckly and keep the plot flowing swiftly along. They clearly recognize the “Phoenix” is a “bridge” film in the series, a movie that establishes plotlines and foreshadows events that will shape the final two films in the series, which are based on books six and seven. (The seventh and final “Potter” book, “H.P. and the Deadly Hollows,” arrives next week.) Stressing action and plot development, they still manage to draw intellegent and moving performances from their large cast.

Radcliffe, Griunt and Watson continue to skilfully grow into their roles, remaining appealing while their characters endure both supernatural trials and the tribulations of ordinary teenhood. The film’s special effects serve the story telling process rather than theother way around, a pleasent change from most big budget movies. Those looking for intriguing subtexts in the movie’s plot, beyond the obvious tumble of emotions and mixed signals present in adolesence, will find subtle commentary on authoritarianism and the dangersa of blindly following leaders who refuse to deal with the obvious.

Even those who have never read the “Potter” books will find “Order of the Pheonix” exciting and engrossing. It left me with a rare feeling: the desire to see what happens in the next adventure, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” due in theaters sometime in 2008. In the meantime, let your love of first class fantasy film rise from the ashes with this terrific film. One note: If your small kids haven’t read the books (with or without you,) a bit of hand holding might be a good idea for some of the action scenes.

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for intense and frightening images in the action scenes
JOE’S RATING:FOUR STARS.