The Ministry Fudge it
So Harry Potter number 5 or to give it its proper title "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and both surprisingly and unsurprisingly it is another brilliant movie. Surprisingly, well let's be honest how many movie franchises get to part 5 without seriously sucking. It is testament to J.K. Rowling and her story telling that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is as good if not better than the first movie. And unsurprisingly because after 4 great movies something major would have had to have gone wrong for this fifth Harry Potter movie to suck.
After the death of Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) has spent a lonely summer with the Dursley's and when he is forced to use magic in front of Dudley (Harry Melling) to protect them he almost finds himself expelled from Hogwarts by the ministry who don't believe Harry when he says Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is back. Fortunately Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) does and whilst some at Hogwarts think Harry is making it up Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are there for him. Unfortunately Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) has been appointed as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who seems to have ulterior motives for being at Hogwarts. And just to make matters more complicated Harry can't stop having teenage feelings for Cho Chang (Katie Leung).
So a little recap for those who have not read my other reviews; firstly I have never read a Harry Potter book, secondly when I watched "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" at the cinema I didn't enjoy it, disliking the darker approach and then when I watched "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" I felt it was too big for one movie. Despite those issues all previous four movies have been great even "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" which when I watched again some years later grew on me, although I still insist it was too dark too soon. But all these 4 movies have been building and in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" things certainly start coming together as Voldemort is getting stronger, Harry and co have to defend Hogwarts as no one believes him about the return of Voldemort and much more. Well much more includes Harry having his first kiss, the introduction of Luna Lovegood and Bellatrix Lestrange as well as the progressing friendship of Ron and Hermione.
Now for those who love the story of Harry and his past, as in the whole Voldemort side of things "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is great because it really starts building to something. We have more darkness, more intrigue, more revelations and lots more adventure. But at the same time we have the continuing drama of Harry, Hermione and Ron growing up and going through those teenage tribulations. What this means is that when the credits roll after 138 minutes you want to watch the next part, you want your next fix of adventure and friendship.
What you also want is more of the stunning imagination which brings us such impressive sets and creatures as "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is as visually stunning as all the preceding movies. In fact it takes things to another level with a scene featuring CGI which makes the impractical possible, by that I mean one of the most spectacular action sequences you will see featuring 100s of falling CGI crystal balls. But like with the preceding movies whilst "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is visually brilliant, and thank goodness the boys all had haircuts, the storyline and characters still remain the focus.
What this all boils down to is that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is as great if not greater than the preceding movies in the franchise. Why? Well from the story, to the characters, to the visuality and the way it grows, it builds the story and continues to build the characters so that when it is over you want the next instalment.
