Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) by Sabretooth — 29 Jul 2007

For the first time in the series, the Film improves on the book. I'm a big Harry Potter fan and just finished up book 7 last week. Order of Phoenix novel was long, drawn out with a very annoying, teenage angst Harry Potter.

The film directed by David Yates (britsh TV director) surpasses the JK Rowlings book. OH yes there are unnecessary deviations from the book but overalll the film ehances the story. For the first time a Harry Potter movie moves briskly and is well paced.

Yates cuts film sharp but leaves in the necessary elements. THe acting is the best we have seen in a Potter film, Radcliffe, Watson and Grint are all at their best along with well cast new comers of Umbridge and Luna.

Gary Oldman is still a little off cast as Sirius Black but he manages well enough. My only disapointment is that the final battle is a little rushed and doesn't capture the struggle as nearly as well as the novel.

Overall the best Harry Potter film yet followed in descending order by HP3, HP2,HP4 and then HP1. Much greater rewatch ability then previous Potte films, umbridge is used just enough to get the feel of her annoying ways without being over used in the film and becoming annoying.