Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) by Ian R — 31 Mar 2015

I felt this film kept the momentum from the previous film going and was a very well adapted from book to film. Like Goblet of Fire, this movie flows on its own and doesn't feel like a rushed collage of scenes from the corresponding novel, as I felt the first three Potter films were.

I also think that the decrease in action in the Order of the Phoenix novel helped to pace the movie and give the climactic battle at the end a little more narrative power. I thought the acting all around was pretty solid, though there were no major stand-out performances in my mind.

I enjoyed having Gary Oldman back, but he had a very little role again. Similarly, I enjoyed Helena Bonham Carter being added to the cast, but she had very little screen time. I found myself more used to Gambon's Dumbledore in this film and I thought that he worked very well in the action at the end of the film, moreso than harris may have.

Overall, I enjoyed this film, its pace and its tone, and I hope the series closes out with a strong showing like those shown in these middle films.