HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Director: David Yates

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes

Year: 2007

Rating: PG-13

I'd wanted to re-read the fifth book in J.K. Rowling's phenomenally successful franchise before tackling the film, but finally gave up and decided to give it a go. Much darker in tone and story, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is one of the better of the film series - though those who've read and loved the book first may come away from the film fairly unsatisfied. And for those who haven't read the books - well, neither this film or this review will make one bit of sense.

It's a dark time for Harry Potter, as the film opens. He's back living with the Dursleys on Privet Drive, another miserable summer break made more miserable by the fact that he's had no communication from his best friends since leaving Hogwarts. Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint, who - thank God - has gotten a haircut) have ignored his letters, and in fact to Harry it's been like he's bee cut off from the wizarding world

That changes when a pair of Dementors attack both Harry and his cousin Dudley, nearly killing the muggle boy; soon Harry is whisked away to a "safe house" that is actually the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix - a group of wizards originally formed fourteen years ago to fight Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Most of the old order are gone now, but those left - along with others who've signed on for the cause - are banding together again in preparation of going against the dark lord once again.

Voldemort, you see, came back to power at the end of the previous film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - although the only living witness to his uprising, Harry (whom Voldemort almost killed), is scoffed at and made fun by the Ministry of Magic when he tried to warn the wizarding world. And while many believe Harry, the Ministry - basically the "government" of the wizarding community - condemns him as either insane or a liar, and begins to take over every facet of life, trying to quench the growing panic ... their long arms of persuasion even spreading to Hogwarts, where a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (Imelda Staunton, really wonderful and nasty here) working with them soon even gets Dumbledore booted from his job as headmaster. And with Dumbledore gone, Harry is more determined than ever to put together a battalion of students to defend themselves and their school - even if it means going against Voldemort, himself.

The cast reads like a who's-who of some of the best British actors working today, and overall the performances are more than up to the task (a couple of wooden, unemotional actors among the students, but there's so much going on here, it doesn't overshadow). The special effects and cinematography are first-rate, with David Yates doing quite a good job as the latest director in the franchise.

But for anyone having read the book (like me), the only way to truly enjoy this film is to completely set the film aside from the novel in your mind. Otherwise, you're more than a little likely to focus, instead, on the many (sorry, many) scenes and plotlines from the 870-page novel that never made it to the script, or finished film. True Potterphiles have found this to be the biggest complaint about this particular entry - but early on I learned to take the films as a separate entity, away from the books, and here in particular I think being able to do so went a long way to enjoying this installment in the series ... even if, with so many characters and plot points, it did (at times) seem like some of the actors were short-changed on screen time - and I wouldn't go looking for much here in the way of character development, either. There just isn't time.

That said, even with an ending I thought too "quick" compared to the finale in the book - overall, I really liked this one. Harry and the gang are growing up; growing up and taking on the real world and its many issues from love to hate. And the end of this film, which sets up Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, shows there's a whole lot of real world - and real evil - still to take on before it's over. **** - Reel Awesome