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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

177 reviews

Synopsis

Harry returns for a fifth year at Hogwarts School and discovers that most of the wizard community is in denial about his recent encounter with Lord Voldemort. Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, appoints a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to watch over the students, as he fears that the Hogwarts headmaster is lying about Voldemort’s return. Unfortunately, the newly appointed teacher’s ministry-approved course leaves the students unprepared and unable to defend themselves, so Harry decides to take matters into his own hands.

Movie review

From Time Out London

A midsummer release seems inappropriate for ‘Harry 5’, with its intriguing aura of new-term blues, as a hormonally distracted Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), having escaped expulsion by the intervention of dear head Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), trudges back for a fifth year at Hogwarts carrying a burdensome weight on his more muscularly defined shoulders. But just because he’s paranoid, it doesn’t mean that they’re not out to get ’im. Irritable but resolute Harry knows by physical injury that evil Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is gathering a new army, but his every step to recruit a rival one is dogged by the morons at the Ministry and their appointee as new headmistress, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), a smiling villain in pink-knit twinset who nails up more interdicts than a riled Robespierre.

There’s a new director on board, and if Chris Columbus was enjoyable, Alfonso Cuarón dark, and Mike Newell aware that for all school sagas, familiarity breeds content, new helmsman David Yates is serious, almost grave. He swathes swiftly through JK Rowling’s doorstopper text with martial efficacy, clocking a crisp 138 minutes, the shortest of the series. He certainly keeps the scenes and action moving, but his no-nonsense approach leaves no time for games – please sir, can’t we play just a little Quidditch? – and the excision of scenes of lolling chat in study rooms will disappoint fans of Bunter and Tom Brown worldwide.

On the plus side, Harry gets his first, sweet screen kiss – to the warrior the spoils – from one of the increased quota of ethnic faces, cherubic new girl Cho (Katie Leung). Also, Evanna Lynch brings new, if blenched, blood with her endearing loony, Luna Lovegood; the production design is again an eclectic wonder, from the adumbrated Georgian mustiness of the secret Order of the Phoenix house to the Bazalgette-burnished tiles of the Victorian Ministry ‘Headquarters’ where stacked rows of jurors deliberate like Doges for Harry’s inquisition; and there are some spectacular CGI effects. Performances are more mature, the soundtrack (by Nicholas Hooper) less grandiose, and Yates executes some thrilling set-pieces – but, please, Mr Yates, don’t let these winds of modernity sweep too many beloved cobwebs away! Let’s hope he casts some more old-fashioned spells in part six, ‘The Half-Blood Prince’.

Author: Wally Hammond

Time Out London Issue 1925: July 11-17 2007

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User reviews of this film

rebecca545 said...

Posted on Feb 16 2009 22:15 MOST BRILLIANT FILM EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWILIGHT SUCKKKKKS BAD ASSS!!!!!!

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caitlin said...

Posted on Oct 13 2008 14:41 I have actually seen the potter films I have seen the first one and the goblet of fire one time. They were both rubbish. I would much rateher watch a feel good moviw like hairspray than a moviw where everybody zaps each other with their 'magical powers'

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Hannah said...

Posted on Oct 13 2008 14:38 Caitlin, u r so wrong about Harry Potter. It is one of my fave films ever and the best of all the Harry Potter films out. Just cos u like Hairspray which is terrible doesn't mean Harry Potter was bad. U haven't seen any of Harry Potter never mind just 5 mins

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caitlin said...

Posted on Oct 09 2008 16:18 I have seen five minutes of this film on DVD. That was five minutes of my life wasted!!! The only reason I watched it in the first place was because my sister loves the films.Plus why is it so long?????? How long can it take to cast spells on peeple????????????

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Navin said...

Posted on Aug 04 2008 05:30 Steer clear of this and any thing Potter that is directed by Yates sorry to say but this film stank to the high heavens

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kad said...

Posted on Nov 06 2007 10:42 i thought that the book was in any case far better then the film. the whole thing was a bit...........if you don't mind me saying so GAY. oh right i know that the 5th book doesn't have as much magic as the other books (and the fact that the film provides that) but it forms an understanding on the whole story, and quite frankly cutting out half the book wasn't the best move. having said that i enjoyed the film it was great....................

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loz said...

Posted on Sep 17 2007 20:43 Woz Okay =] But rather boring and confusing ;; dident get most of the film and it drags on alot when it could be doing other exciting things but it woz a good film with good special effects <3 ox.

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wilmer said...

Posted on Sep 17 2007 18:21 I liked the ending. It reminded me of the first movie because they both end on Hogwarts Express leaving

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wilmer said...

Posted on Sep 17 2007 18:19 Many harry potter fans would asy that they cut too many stuff from the book. However the screenwriter made a very acceptable adaptation seeing that the book is the longest of all. The movie was very easy to understand.
James Potter was HORRIBLE. Isnt he supposed to look like Harry?
Luna Lovegood was one of the best characters. Evanna Lynch made an excellent performance seeing that its her first movie. The introduction of the character was perfect.
Emma Watson could've done better.
Rupert Grint was more into his character.
Umbridge was brilliant !!! I only had expected her face to be more toadlike.
Bellatrix. Helena Bonham Carter made an excellent performance. She understood the character very well.
The Kiss was too long and dull.
Did any of you noticed that every time we see scenes Hermione talking about Cho, or Harry talking too her, she gets jealous, just perfect.
Those people that dont like Harry Potter (book or movies)dont appreciate this excellent piece of literature that has captured the attention of millions, perhaps billions of people worldwide. Some people dont value the effort made to make these movie so succesful.

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poni said...

Posted on Sep 16 2007 13:20 what a dounut magic is NOT real, prove it

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gordon muir said...

Posted on Sep 07 2007 11:02 after watching the 4th movie and nearly vomiting i really didnt have much hope for this movie since the book is so much larger than the 4th so i figured there'd be a lot cut out.
but then i went to see it, and yes there was a huge amount cut out but there was also a lot that was altered to make perfect sense, and it's a really enjoyable movie as well, i was impressed.
i have few complaints, it was a good film adaption that was missing a few things but made up for it, and rupert grint has surely grown into the perfect Ron Weasley, the kiss scene was kinda dull though.
i will say this though, someone please fire Emma Watson and Micheal Gambon, she has no acting talent and Gambon cant play the part correctly.

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cooldudette x said...

Posted on Sep 03 2007 16:22 This film was relly good, but it ended way too quikly :( >:( x
They skipped like half the book out but it was probably the best one. x
I cant believe thats the last book ever !!!!!!!!! x:(
I think she will write another one tho x
Cant wait till the next one comes out , itll be ages till it comes out :( x
Anywayz anyone who hasent seen it defo go see it . x
9/10***** ending was the only bit that let it down i think and the fact they left half the book out :( xx

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heather g said...

Posted on Sep 02 2007 18:29 One amazing film, could have been better if the line between Harry's dream and the real world was a clear one. Too fully understand the whole storyline it needs to cut out a lot of Harry's dreams, they merge in too easily with reality and makes the story very complex to follow. A very good film though in my opinion!

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Gaz Smith said...

Posted on Sep 01 2007 10:14 Good film! Not sure how much is understandable without reading the book though. Think there’s a lot missed out of the film but it is always hard to include all the parts of a book without making the film 10hrs long. Good compromise and enjoyable film! Bring on the next one!!!

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Hannah said...

Posted on Aug 31 2007 11:47 it was such a good film. my favourites are the 2nd and 4th but this was still shot well and was brilliant. I can't believe it only scored 3.

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