crumb trails

Director: David Yates
Screenplay: Michael Goldenberg
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Olman, Alan Rickman, Imelda Staunton
Based on the novel Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Wesley (Rupert Grint), and Hermoine Granger (Emma Watson) return to Hogwarts for their fifth year only to find out that their beloved school is at risk. Using the wizarding newspaper, The Daily Prophet, the Ministry of Magic is trying to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry of their claim that Lord Voldemort is rising again to power. The Ministry also interferes in Hogwarts and sends Ministry official Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) to take the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Realizing this, Harry, Ron and Hermoine form a secret group-Dumbledore’s Army-where they can learn proper defensive magic. The threat of Voldemort’s return intensifies as Umbridge continue to meddle in Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the longest book in the seven-book series, but the film version, incidentally, is the shortest (138 minutes) among other Harry Potter films. But director David Yates and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg are able to incorporate the essential points of the book, although they modified some of them (e.g. in the book to find #12 Grimmauld Place, it should be revealed to you by the secret keeper of the Order; Haary first met Luna Lovegood in the Hogwarts Express and Ginny’s the one that introduced him to Luna; Harry learned about thestrals-those winged horses that pull the school carriages-from Hagrid and not from Luna; etc.). Yates added glimpses of what’s coming in the next Harry Potter film installment. It is also in this film that The Daily Prophet is given a bigger role. It creates progression of events and fill the gaps between subplots. While Nicholas Hooper did variations on “Hedwig’s Theme” (the main theme/musical score of all previous Harry Potter movies) it’s only in The Order of the Phoenix that “muggle” songs (mainstream music) are played in the movie.*

There is noticeable improvement in the acting of the three main characters (Radcliffe, Grint, Watson); they sure have grown-up, although, sometimes Watson seems out of breath when delivering her lines. I like the new additions in the cast. Imelda Staunton, gives justice to Dolores Umbridge character, as if she came out of JKR’s book. Some say that Umbridge dominated the film, but then the book is Umbridge-ful, too. Casting Helena Bonham Carter as the mad-Azkaban escapee-Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange is perfect. I wish she had more scenes in the film. Nevertheless, she’s amazing! She never fails to amaze me with her acting. Whatever role is given to her, she portrays with perfection. And Grawp is adorable! And Evana Lynch (Luna Lovegood) is lovely, a welcome sight on screen. I’m glad this film gives Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) more exposure. Did you catch that sad look on her face when she saw Harry and Cho talking?

Despite the many diversions from the book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is still an enjoyable film.

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*I need to verify this claim. But if my memory serves me right, it’s the first time that I heard mainstream/rock music wafting from the wireless in the Gryffindor common room.