HARRY POTTER

& THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: thematic elements, violence, magic

Rated:

Best Moral Dialogue

The Order of the Phoenix was the first Harry Potter novel I had to wait for, since I came late to the fandom. I remember the first moment I got my hands on it, the exciting chapters that I devoured through the late hours of the night, the laughter and tears that commenced as I reached the end of the story. It is not my favorite of the novels, but is my favorite among the films. This adaptation is nothing short of genius.

A long, hot summer has come upon London and Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is haunted by memories of his last term at Hogwarts, where he watched the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) murder a fellow student right before his eyes. The wizarding community at large is reluctant to believe the Dark Lord has returned, and Harry remains isolated from his friends due to a lack of frequent correspondence. When a dementor attacks Harry and his cousin one afternoon, he is forced to use magic outside of school and is sanctioned by the Ministry. Rescued from the home of his aunt and uncle by a group of Order of the Phoenix members, Harry finds himself at the headquarters of Dumbledore's rebellion, a secret organization building forces against the inevitable conflict with Voldemort. Harry faces an inquisition by the ministry and returns to Hogwarts, only to find that school diplomacy is much altered this year.

The Ministry is concerned Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) may continue to promote "propaganda" about Voldemort's return, and has appointed the hateful Deloris Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Abusing her authority and forcing the students into a strict regime of discipline and oppression, Umbridge means to take over Hogwarts... but not if Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) can help it. The trio start up a resistance, training its members for real life and death combat, little realizing that their skills will be needed in an climactic battle between good and evil not only for the good of mankind, but Harry's very soul. The result is a fantastic film that moves at a tremendous pace but never feels overly rushed, full of spectacular special effects and moments of sheer brilliance.

One of Rowling's most powerful techniques is her use of subtle humor and for the first time, the screenwriter has taken her style and incorporated new ideas that fit so well with what the authoress might have imagined that it's difficult to distinguish between them. Present are all the little winks and nudges of the book, from the moving kitten plates in Umbridge's loathsome pink office to the Weasley twins trying out their Skivving Snackboxes on unsuspecting first-year students. Then there are the original moments, such as Filch gladly stripping the school walls of all the moving portraits, or the Inquisitorial Squad making a headfirst dive for a vanishing door. The acting is excellent. Radcliffe has grown up in more ways than one, and his moments of genuine emotion are stunning. Even so, the girl who steals the show is Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood. From her complacency to her soft, almost wistful tone of voice, she rapidly became my favorite on-screen character, the very ideal of the image I got from the book.

Certain portions of the novel have been trimmed significantly, but for the first time I never really missed them. True, I would have liked to have seen Mrs. Weasley break down in tears battling the boggart, and it really is a shame that the adult cast (including Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Jason Isaacs) only had twenty minutes of screen time among them, but for the first time the screenplay captures the entire essence of the book brilliantly. And then there is the jaw-dropping climax. The CGI work is beyond incredible. I sat through most of it with my mouth hanging open. That being said, this movie is not for children. Like the book, it is extremely dark in tone and full of thematic moments, from a teacher punishing students by making them write with magical quills that use their own blood for ink, to the death of a significant character.

There is the customary magic expected from these films, but in the last half it takes a darker turn. The students learn simple repelling charms and spells together, creating patronuses (protective shields) and sending one another crashing back into things. Death Eaters (evil wizards) and Order members square off against one another. Luna is sent smashing to the floor, and gets up with blood dripping from her mouth. Individuals are Stunned, sent flying through the air, or threatened with torture. Dumbledore and Voldemort have a bone-crunching wizarding battle that results in mass destruction. Harry experiences a violent attack upon a man in a dream; the injured man is shown covered in blood. He experiences intense, frightening nightmares. What may concern parents the most is the fact that Voldemort can control certain of Harry's actions. In a desperate attempt to protect himself, Voldemort possesses Harry, before Harry is able to force him out with the one power he possesses that Voldemort cannot experience: love.

Controversy has raged for a long time over Rowling's stories among Christian audiences. My parents had significant concerns about the books before I reached an age they deemed was appropriate for me to make up my own mind. However you want to look at it, Rowling's stories contain excellent lessons about friendship, sacrifice, courage, and love. And even though this film is darker than some of the others, it also contains profound truths... that the side of good has something worth fighting for ... that we are given the daily choice between good and evil ... and that evil deeds are never justified. Harry, for example, cannot bring himself to torture the woman who murdered someone close to him; but Professor Umbridge did not hesitate in threatening him with the same curse. Distinctions between good and evil are never blurred except by Voldemort and his followers. Their manipulative lies illuminate surprising truths.

If you are a fan, this will be a magnificent, breathtaking experience that will leave your head spinning, and if you are not, do not judge too harshly those that are, for God can reveal His truths in all things for those who choose to seek them.