Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) by Jay-R A — 27 May 2014

I tried my best to enjoy this movie as if I never read the book.

Did I enjoy the movie? Yes. As if you never read the book? Unfortunately, no.

I enjoyed it because it's quite action-packed. I really liked the final 35 minutes of the movie. The battle scenes were much better than I imagined.

Unlike the previous movie, I was pretty much okay with most changes even though I was a little upset.

However, there were some changes I am not okay with:

-The entire Quidditch part had to be cut off. It's sad. The fact the movie did not even acknowledge the sport just creates more plot holes in my opinion. Also, it had a huge character development on Ron. Ron in the movie basically felt useless without the Quidditch. AND WHERE THE HELL IS "WEASLEY IS OUR KING"?

-Ron, Hermione and Malfoy not being Perfects. Again, it's a character development that should not have been ignored.

-Petunia Dudley's important role in Harry's life. This is a huge character development among the Dudleys in the book. This shouldn't have been ignored.

-Ginny Weasley's maturity is not shown explicitly. Again, character development that is not to be ignored. She could have been more liked by the people who only watch the movies if her badass attitude from the books, is shown in the movies.

As an aspiring screenwriter however, I understand why the writer of the movie had to make so much cuts. It's really hard to translate the longest book in the Harry Potter series into the second-shortest movie.

There are some changes I am okay with as well:

-St. Mungo scenes has to be cut. I think Dudley finding out about his parents in the Room of Requirement instead was a good choice to make the movie faster without losing its essence.

-The replacement teacher for Professor Trelawney is not featured in the movie. I felt like this is a filler honestly so I see why it has to be cut.

-Rita Skeeter not featured in the movie. GOOD. And also, another filler in the book.

-Cho Chang becoming a bitch instead. I think this would make her more unlikable than she was in the books, where she whines about her dead ex instead of whistleblowing Dumbledore's Army. GREAT.

The tone of the movie is suprisely more lighter than the previous movie. It still had its humor, but not completely from the book.

The casting and the performances are great as well. I think that is much of the best highlight out of the movie series.

Overall, the main importance of the movie is that if you enjoy it, then you enjoyed it despite the many cuts it had to make, which irked many fans. But come on, if you did not enjoy it because of the cuts, then, it's your problem.