Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

[Ryan Scott]

Well I wrote this review once and something happened with my web browser, the page just reloaded for some unknown reason and I lost everything.

I went to see the latest installment of the Harry Potter series last night with a theatre full of people who seemed to care waaaay too much about Harry Potter. I've never read any of the books, nor do I really have any affinity for the series whatsoever. I see myself as a pretty neutral observer.

I have seen all of the movies (some of them more than once), so I am quite familiar with the storyline. This fifth movie is certainly the first "real" movie in the series. The first four being very obviously children's tales. I think the genius of the first four installments was the choice to have different directors take on each movie. There was also an element of luck that had four fine directors who were able to overcome the shortfalls in the scripts and storylines, the tentativeness of the young, inexperienced actors, and other factors to produce some very watchable films.

Order of the Phoenix suffers from the exact opposite problem. David Yates seems to have underperformed as director, this is the critics' main argument against the film and I certainly see where they're coming from. Yates is signed on for the next installment as well, so hopefully he can learn a few things and do a better job next time.

The script, visual effects and the acting is superb in this movie. The young actors (especially Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe) and becoming very good in their own right. Some of the other younger actors are more than believable in their roles as they have been playing these same characters for seven years now. The older actors again bring strong performances and really get into the roles well, something you rarely see in such a larger ensemble.

That being said, the failures in directing are seen as the movie is quite disjointed. I didn't notice it during my viewing, but in recollection afterwards there were odd cuts and swiftly moving scenes that could have been handled better. Most everyone I've talked to who has read the book had problems with how much was left out of this movie. That's an acceptable critique, but as one not having read the book, I should have (and could have) been able to view a seamless product. The run time is right at two hours. They could have added an extra twenty minutes and done a better film.

All that being said, this is a well done movie. The series has uniquely grown with its audience and the movies continue to reflect it. This one was done with some deep themes. The story of Harry's struggle with the evil Voldemort has obvious connections to the universal misunderstandings that come with puberty and adolescence. They portray a really connective coming of age theme without actually having to focus on the coming of age events. The audience is able to understand and see visually the idea that life isn't as simple and innocent as it appears to be when young.

Also, as much as these movies are decried for their "godlessness," there are some fantastic, positive themes in the film. It's not perfect, but it's very well made. It's intense in parts and certainly more mature, but no more violent or scary than the last installment. If you're a fan or not, you can enjoy this movie (although it may be tough to get involved if you haven't see the earlier movies).

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I've always wondered what it would be like to watch these movies without having read the books. Thanks.

[Ryan Scott]

With only one exception it's better to watch the movie before reading the book.


(The one exception is Michael Crichton's Sphere, the movie version of which was made so poorly there is no possible way to know what's going on without having read the book, even then it's a stretch.)

[Scott Hilton]

If I remember right, the book was a very long book. Around 900 pages I think. It is always hard to fit that big of a book into a single movie. You have to be able to seperate the two when reading the book first or else you will end up unhappy about something being left out. I.E. see LOTR even the extended versions left stuff out. Or see the movie version of "IT" by Stephen King....horrible.

I plan on seeing this movie at some point, I appreciate the critique Ryan. I enjoy the inner personal struggles and relationships between the different personalities in this series.

Blessings
Scott

[Tami Martin]

There were only three directors for the first 4 movies. Chris Colombus directed The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

OftP has most certainly been the darkest of the series and seems to be a move out of the "children's movie" genre to teen/adult fare.

[Eric Frey]

Thank you for your review. I disagree with much of it, but that is OK. What I do want to comment on is that I think it is TOTALLY UNFARE to critque a movie by comparing it to a book. They are different media and different genre. One is on paper, one on the silver screen. One in print, one in images. One 900 pages, one about 2 hours. Movies must be judges as movies, not as adaptations of books. It is fair to compare the two, but not to say it is a bad movie because it is not completely faithful to the book, or a good movie because it is identical to the book. Comparison yes, critique no.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Thank you for your review. I disagree with much of it, but that is OK. What I do want to comment on is that I think it is TOTALLY UNFARE to critque a movie by comparing it to a book. They are different media and different genre. One is on paper, one on the silver screen. One in print, one in images. One 900 pages, one about 2 hours. Movies must be judges as movies, not as adaptations of books. It is fair to compare the two, but not to say it is a bad movie because it is not completely faithful to the book, or a good movie because it is identical to the book. Comparison yes, critique no.

I'm not sure what you mean by "unfair" (to the director? screenwriters?).

While you have a great point (the different media part), asking someone who's read the book not to judge the movie by it is somewhat like asking someone to interpret scripture without bringing personal bias. It's just not possible - the book is part of one's experience.

[Brad Mercer]

My wife is one of 100 people sitting around right now for two hours, waiting on the local bookstore to start distributing the last Harry Potter book to people who pre-ordered it. She's picking up two pre-ordered copies: one for our daughter Charlotte and one for Roland Hearn's son Jon.

The success of these books is just amazing.

Brad

[Jeremy D. Scott]

My wife is one of 100 people sitting around right now for two hours, waiting on the local bookstore to start distributing the last Harry Potter book to people who pre-ordered it. She's picking up two pre-ordered copies: one for our daughter Charlotte and one for Roland Hearn's son Jon.

The success of these books is just amazing.

Brad

I pre-ordered mine months ago and when I called today to see if I could just come in and get it after midnight (and in part to see the hoop-la), they told me I had to get a wristband just like everyone else and that there were a limited number of wristbands. ...which made me wonder why I pre-ordered it...?

I'll get it tomorrow.

[Marsha Lynn]

My wife is one of 100 people sitting around right now for two hours, waiting on the local bookstore to start distributing the last Harry Potter book to people who pre-ordered it. She's picking up two pre-ordered copies: one for our daughter Charlotte and one for Roland Hearn's son Jon.

The success of these books is just amazing.

Brad

There's a copy of the new book locked up in the library tonight. It arrived yesterday afternoon and my young assistant and I got it ready for circulation after we closed up this afternoon. We were both individually tempted to take it home and read it. She promised not to start reading until after midnight. But it is still sitting there, per the agreement I signed in blood several months ago.

That whole forbidden fruit thing has never lost its appeal. The temptation on my part has much more to do with that than an actual love for the Harry Potter series. While I have enjoyed the books, I don't view them as clearly superior to other reading choices. There's just something about being told not to touch something that makes it almost irresistible.

Marsha

[Ryan Scott]

There was an article on cnn.com earlier today about two retailers who let copies of the book out early. The publishing company is essentially going to run them out of business with lawsuits.

[Mike Wooldridge]

The best thing about the Harry Potter book series is that it appears to have gotten kids READING again! :)

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, heard something just last night about how it doesn't really matter what someone starts off with reading, just so long as they get into the habit. Then they're rather apt to progress to other things, learning to discern between good/bad books/literature.

[Brad Mercer]

The best thing about the Harry Potter book series is that it appears to have gotten kids READING again! :)

A spokesman for theaters or some such person was quoted in the paper here this week as saying they expected a drop in movie attendance this weekend as so many kids stayed home to read their new Harry Potter book instead of going to a movie. That can't be a bad thing.

Brad

[Tami Martin]

Okay, I confess. I finished reading the 7th book yesterday afternoon at about 4 pm.

It was very satisfying.

[Ryan Scott]

Okay, I confess. I finished reading the 7th book yesterday afternoon at about 4 pm.

It was very satisfying.


You might have actually beaten my wife. She did it in about 9 hours of reading, but I think it was 5:30 yesterday before she finished.

[Scott Hilton]

I took my daughter to see the movie over the weekend. She thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I thought is was very good, the young actors are indeed becoming good in their own right, at least in this series of movies. I did notice some of the disjointedness that Ryan spoke of, but it was not a big distraction for me.

We bought the book as well, my daughter and I keep trading it back and forth. She will no doubt beat me to the end by a long shot though......she is on summer break, lol.

Blessings
Scott

[Ryan Scott]

I did notice some of the disjointedness that Ryan spoke of, but it was not a big distraction for me.

Yeah, it didn't detract from my viewing experience at all, it was just when I thought back on the movie, that I noticed how it tended to jump quickly from one thing to another.

[David Pettigrew]

I teach the senior high SS class. I had to make them all swear not to tell me one word about the book until I could get my own copy. One smart alec couldn't resist giving away one secret. I promptly sent my wife out to purchase it today, but now I have to wait until she's done with it!

[Ryan Scott]

Now the reports are the book release has killed the movie. It lost out to "I now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" this weekend.

[David Pettigrew]

Now the reports are the book release has killed the movie. It lost out to "I now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" this weekend.

:basic04:basic04:basic04:basic04:basic04

[Billy Cox]

I've always wondered what it would be like to watch these movies without having read the books. Thanks.

I saw the first movie before reading the book. Shortly thereafter, I read the book, and I have read the remaining books usually within days of their release.

[Billy Cox]

With only one exception it's better to watch the movie before reading the book.


(The one exception is Michael Crichton's Sphere, the movie version of which was made so poorly there is no possible way to know what's going on without having read the book, even then it's a stretch.)

I have heard the same said about the movie 'Dune'. I have not read the book, and I remember the movie being virtually incomprehensible.

[Ryan Scott]

It was like my sophomore year in high school and I was on a Crichton kick. I spent all summer reading Sphere in preparation for the movie and it was totally incomprehensible. Just an awful movie.

[Tami Martin]

Never never never judge a book by the movie.

The movie of the 5th HP book is so less than the book. I for one still look forward to the 6th and 7th movies just because I want to see how the producers/directors/actors interpret the books.

[Billy Cox]

I saw the Order of the Phoenix tonight. It truly has some spectacular moments. The Umbridge character was very true to the book. The Harry-Cho relationship was there just enough to do it justice without spending much time on it.

I remember arguing with a coworker a long time ago about which female would be Harry's ultimate love interest. The coworker said "Cho" and I said "Ginny". Too bad I lost contact with the coworker so that I could do some gloating.

The movie seemed short. There is a point in the story at which I knew that the story's climax was near and I remember thinking, "What? already?" I had a similar reaction to 'Goblet of Fire'.

[Christine Kelly]

I think the time factor is a huge issue with these movies. It seems like the farther along in the series you read, there is more information contained in the books. It must be difficult to try to figure out what to put in the movie to keep it within the time limits.

It is remarkable that children across the world have come together to read these stories when many of them would rather be spending time with their video games. Even those who do not like to read, will read Harry Potter.

Chris

[Jeff Scott]

With only one exception it's better to watch the movie before reading the book.


(The one exception is Michael Crichton's Sphere, the movie version of which was made so poorly there is no possible way to know what's going on without having read the book, even then it's a stretch.)

I had the same experience with the "Left Behind" series. And I've read more than one book about that subject.