Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 2007Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series. Based on the best-selling novel by J.K. Rowling, Phoenix follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) through another year at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. All is not well at Hogwarts, as the wizard community believes Harry and Dumbledore to be lying about the reemergence of You-Know-Who. The Ministry of Magic has become more involved in the school through the appointment of Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and she has the uncanny ability to make Snape look like a teddy bear. Harry is thus, not only forced to come to terms with his inevitable confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), but he is also made to do it in a school that no longer feels like the safe haven it once was.

Personally, the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, is still my favorite of the series. That being said, I believe that the critics were altogether way too harsh on this film. Phoenix is a great addition to the series. The movie is action-packed, while staying true to the story line and essence of the books. Not that it needs to be said, but this is an obvious must-see for all Harry Potter fans, both young and old. Phoenix should be savored, for after this we only have two more movies to look forward to.

Adventure/Family/Fantasy

 

Rated PG-13