HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (2007) 2 1/2 stars out of 4. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Helena Bonham-Carter, Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane. Based on the book by J.K. Rowling. Screenplay by Michael Goldenberg. Directed by David Yates. Rated: PG-13. Running time: Approx: 138 mins.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a good movie. The pity is, it could have been a much better one — possibly the best in the series.

Though running a few minutes short of 2 1/2 hours, the movie seems to rush through the events in the massive book, offering highlights and snippets of various events.

What is lost is the texture and richness that permeated J.K. Rowling's fifth entry in the series. The book was dense in that it filled in a lot of background and details on characters.

The movie, as most films do, sacrificed narrative for action.

Of all the books in the series, so far, Order of the Phoenix is the one that could have benefited from being divided into two, two-hour-plus movies. And, yes, I realize that is wishful thinking, that the economic and technical requirements of such an undertaking would have been financially prohibitive.

So, let's look at what we do have on film. From the opening when Harry and his repugnant cousin, Dudley, are attacked by Dementors, to the thrilling finale, Order of the Phoenix is continually in motion.

For the few people who have not read the book, in Order of the Phoenix, Harry is persuaded by his friends to teach them how to defend themselves in case they need to battle the newly resurrected Lord Voldamort and his minions.

At the same time, the Ministry of Magic is denying that Voldamort has returned and have branded Harry as well as Professor Dumbledore liars, who are using scare tactics so Dumbledore can take over the ministry.

To ensure more control over Hogwarts the ministry sends Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) to the school as the new defense against the dark arts teacher as well as to undermine Dumbledore.

Dressed always in pink, and with a sweet smile, Umbridge is a near-hybrid of Sen. Joseph McCarthy and Josef Stalin. She will use any means, including torture, to make students conform to the ministry's views.

Many of the subplots from the book are given fleeting measure — most notably the budding romance between Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, as well as that between Harry and Cho, with young Ginny Weasley's growing jealously also noted — as well as the backstory of classmate Neville Longbottom.

But so much as been truncated or omitted entirely, most notably Ron's growth as a Quidditch player (which, honestly, thematically, is unnecessary for the film) and, more importantly, the discovery that Harry Potter's revered father, James, was not the great man Harry thought he was. Through his connection with Professor Snape, Harry learns that his father was an arrogant and merciless bully.

One of the biggest losses is Harry's angry confrontation with Dumbedore at the end of the book. This has been extremely cut, with Harry's anger nearly totally dissipated.

The movie is dark, tragic and, in tone, like Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. It is the middle movie, establishing the protagonists and situations for the much anticipated final confrontations to come.

Order of the Phoenix is exciting with strong acting. But it also is a wasted opportunity.

Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bloomjc@yahoo.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal & Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com.