Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

For Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), year five at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is going to be more that O.W.L.s After Cedrick Diggery's death last year, Harry return from Muggle isolation to find that he (and his staunchest supporter, Professor Albus Dumbledore) is being vilified as right nutter. It seems his warning about the return of the Dark Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) are being dismissed by the Ministry of Magic and most of Hogwart's residents.

You'd have to be living under a stone to not know the story of Harry Potter-- fan or not. Director David Yates (The Girl in the Cafe - beautiful film starring Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald) brings to life a crucial book in the series. The Order of the Phoenix finds Harry, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) maturing in every way.

Yates had a difficult task ahead of him. The screenplay by Michael Goldenberg (who?!) isn't a word-for-word recreation, but it is a solid adaptation of the 800+ page volume. Yates focuses on the main themes of the book and hints at subplots. Book reader will read between the lines; movie goers won't know what they're missing.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a darker, more sinister feel. Gone is the innocent joy of the magical world. Harry has been touched by death and sadness. His friends take a somber mood as they, too, realize that the magical realm holds many dangers with Voldemort at hand.

Allow me to touch on the stellar cast. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson are growing up before our eyes. Hermione has lost her annoying whine. Ron is no longer the funny sidekick. Harry has lost his boyish charm and gained a new depth of character.

New this time, Imelda Staunton as the calm, yet manical Dolores Umbridge just nails that annoying pink-enrobed deputy minister and her little 'ahem'. Evanna Lynch's portrayal of the peculiar Luna Lovegood was excellent. Nymphadore Tonks (Natalia Tena) was a disappointment. Not only was her character delegated to the background, but she just didn't live up to my expectations. Helena Bonham Carter was spot-on at Bellatrix Lestrange. Oh-- you just wanted Neville to get at her!

The returning cast: Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Gary Thewlis-- there just wasn't enough time for them all. They each had a moment to carry in on their own vein. Snape was his dour, sniveling-self. Boogle-ly-eyed (yes, I made that word up) Prof. Trelawney was allowed a moment of divination, even fatherly Lupin was allowed to dispense his loving affection for Harry.

Ralph Fiennes channels the Dark Lord beautifully. His evil and hate just pour onto the screen as does Jason Issac's Lucius Malfoy.

Hogwart's stands in all it's glory. The viewer doesn't get much time to explore with Harry and friends this time. We see a few long corridors and the Room of Requirement, but mostly we see the never-ending wall on which Prof. Umbridge has Finch nail her educational degrees on.

The Ministry of Magic is explored. It is everything the reader/viewer wants it to be. Unapproachable, intimidating and slick. The final showdown in the halls of the Ministry are spell-binding even if they are evocative of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. (That's all I could think of while viewing.)

As I said before, the film has a maturity about it. Touching on those, Director Yates explores that maturity with themes of friendship and loss. Yates knows when to step back and allows Sirius' death to consume not only Harry, but his audience as well. He cripples the viewer with an overwhelming blow. When Harry decides to train his fellow students in Dark Arts, the time spent learning Patronus charms are also spent learning that great wizards were once students.

Even with its mature theme and dialogue, Yates hasn't forgotten the magic that makes this series. Dementors, speaking-letter envelopes, fireworks courtesy of Fred and George, moving people in pictures, Thestrals, newspapers, broom flights through London-- it's all here and a delight to see.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will thrill fans of any age and while we'd all agree that a word-for-word adaption would be best, we are more than grateful for a solid attempt. That is what you will find here.