Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Review

Overall Rating

The special effects
Luna Lovegood
Bellatrix Lestrange
Daniel's acting has improved
Fight at the ministry

Michael Gambon

After an unsettling summer for Harry Potter following the return of the Dark Lord, and an ambush in Little Whinging by two Dementors no less, he returns to Hogwarts for a fifth and action-packed year. This year sees the return of all our favourite characters, and a handful of new faces, most noticably, the new ministry-appointed defence against the dark arts teacher - Professor Umbridge! Although, unlike the rest of the teachers, she's rather sinister and in no way as cuddly and cosy as she first makes out; she is hell-bent on making life as difficult as possible for Harry. Another new baddie this year is Bellatrix Lestrange, a dangerous and frankly, deranged death eater played outstandingly by Helena Bonham-Carter during the scenes at the ministry where a magical fight breaks out. Last but not least, a new student befriends Harry and the gang; the slightly loopy but kind hearted Luna Lovegood, who, along with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and several other students, unite to form "Dumbledore's Army"

If you're familiar with the books, Michael Gambon, as ever, plays an erratic performance of Dumbledore; devoid of much of the tenderness of Richard Harris' Dumbledore, and the comedic Dumbledore of the books. However, we see very little of the headmaster in this film, until a spectacular showdown with Lord Voldemort himself at the ministry, where Gambon gives a decent performance.

Much is, inevitably, excluded from the book, I won't reel off every single adjustment, because I don't think it matters - overall The Order of the Phoenix is an excellent film in it's own right, and in my opinion, the best of the series.