Maty's Movies - "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"

"Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" is the most satisfying Harry Potter movie to date and a lot of that credit should go to writer Michael Goldenberg and director David Yates.

This was by far the most well written screenplay the Potter movies have received. While the writer was precise the visual lyricism of the camera work was fresh and unobtrusive.

The story is one of the toughest and most heart breaking chapters of the Harry Potter saga. Harry has to live in a world where his government is in denial about the return of Lord Voldemort. (Yeah I said it, I’m not afraid) To top that off Dumbledore won’t give him the time of day and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Dolores Umbrigde, has a personal vendetta against Harry and is preaching the idea that young wizards should not use spells even in dangerous situations.

The acting in this movie is perfect. The performance of Imelda Staunton as Umbridge was so exact to J.K. Rowling’s description you almost forget she’s not real. Also all the kids are coming into their own while acting with England’s thespianic heavyweights such as Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes (who I could watch all day long playing Voldemort). The way he moves sends shivers up my spine.

The film also brings to the forefront Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. The subtle style in which Oldman play black in this film is like watching a great artist paint. He raises the stake of this intense film with his realism and depth.

This is the most intense film of the series, but it smartly uses humor as a way to cut the tension, (Pay attention Transformers, this is how it’s done) giving the audience a chance to breathe.

The best part of this film is the ending, which is the first real wizards battle between good and bad.

Beautifully shot this movie is both flash and substance and a must see for all Potter fans and those who enjoy good storytelling.

I give this an enthusiastic A!