It’s official, Harry Potter is back. At 12:01 a.m. last night, we sat down in a theater to preview Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix. Normally, I wouldn’t go see a movie so late, but my daughter is so eager to see the film, I wanted to preview it first. She’s a huge fan of Harry Potter, both the books and the films. Please note that this review will contain major spoilers if you have not read the books first.
Background
At the end of Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire Harry came face to face with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) as he resurrected himself using a complicated spell that included Harry’s blood. Harry’s schoolmate Cedric Diggory was also the unfortunate victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s a dark note to end the film on and with the arrival of The Order of the Phoenix Harry officially graduates from a kid’s film to a young adult film.
This film opens with Harry feeling isolated and alone as he waits in Little Whinging at the home of his Aunt and Uncle. One afternoon, while heading home with his cousin Dudley, they are attacked by a Dementor. You may remember the dark and terrifying creatures from Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban . Harry is fortunately able to defend himself, but is soon brought before the Ministry of Magic for violating the rules governing underage wizards’ use of magic.
Let me take a moment to quibble here, because in the second movie – this isn’t actually covered. Harry gets into tremendous trouble for the spells Dobby did in his home and that includes violating the Underage Use of Magic act – but that is not covered in the movie and only in the book. Still – this is just a personal quibble and I’ll let it go.
Once Harry is cleared of the charges against him, he spends the rest of his summer with Sirius at the Black family home which also doubles as the secret headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix – the wizards who have banded together and committed to defeating Voldemort. It’s also important to note that the Ministry of Magic is doing all they can to label Dumbledore a kook because they don’t want to believe that Voldemort is back. Unfortunately, they are also painting Harry as a liar who wants attention because they really, really don’t want the story of Voldemort to become true. They think if they debunk the ‘truth-tellers’ then it will make it all not true.
Enter Delores Umbridge played deliciously by Imelda Staunton. I adore this actress and frankly, found her perfect in this role. Umbridge is an awful woman who tortures and torments the kids – especially poor Harry. She ousts Dumbledore and generally makes a muck of things at the school. Because she refuses to teach the kids anything Harry, Ron and Hermione form their own Defense Against the Dark Arts Club that facilitates the kids teaming up together to learn how to battle the evil wizards and more.
That’s just the first half of the film. Honestly, it’s a good movie. There are some serious scenes of tension, but if your kids were fans of the first four, they’re going to love this. It’s an older film, it’s a darker film, but the tales are getting darker. With the return of Voldemort to full power – the final battle between Harry and Voldemort is gaining momentum.
David Yates, the director, did a great job and he is already lined up to do the 6th film. With just 10 days to go until the seventh and final Harry Potter book: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows is released – this is definitely the summer of Harry. While this film is rated PG-13, I will be taking my daughter to see it. The overall theme of the story is one that many of us can relate to – united we stand, divided we will fall. The wizarding world is divided and Voldemort is thriving in this air of division – it’s up to Harry, the Order of the Phoenix and more to unite them once again. It’s also important to note that Rowling has matured the stories so that they keep pace with the original audience of the first book which was released several years ago. If you’re concerned, you may want to preview it first before taking your young children to see it.
Also, fair warning for those of you who have not read the books – Harry’s godfather does die at the end of this film and that death has tremendous impact.
Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix is rated PG-13 for situational violence and intensity. It opens in wide release throughout the United States today.
What did you think of the film?
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