Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (David Yates, 2007) Review

Right then, lets get back to the Harry Potter series. After The Goblet of Fire seemed to change everything in the Harry Potter film series, things get REALLY serious in this film. I previously mentioned that the Potter franchise threw all the fun out of the window but this is cranked up to 11 in this one. For a series that started off with a good balance of dark moments and humour but the last film showed that this is no longer the case. Does the much darker tone make the film better or worse? Let's find out.

After the return of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and the death of Cedric Diggory, the ministry of magic refuses to believe that the dark lord is alive again and will take down anyone willing to claim that he has returned. The ministry of magic beefs up their security and sends in Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) to watch over Hogwarts in order to keep things in control and reassuring everyone that Voldemort has not returned. Turns out Umbridge is one of the most horrible people that Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has ever met and begins a rebellion against the ministry and Voldemort's oncoming attack.

I think I should address Umbridge. Congratulations, you have made the second most hate-able woman in film history (the first goes to the woman in Woman in Black...evil, evil woman) that you will want dead more than Voldemort himself. In terms of other characters, they jsut appear out of nowhere and aren't really necessary until the very end (which is one of the more depressing Harry Potter endings) such as Belatrix LeStrange (Helena Bonham Carter) who only really makes an impact when she does something...something unforgivable.

Honestly, I'm indifferent on this one. There are some really good things but there are other things that just make me think that this is one of the more...not-as-good ones. Also, I think I'm running out of things to talk about with Harry Potter (hence why it took longer to write this one that it did the others...sorry about that) because everything that needed to be established for the series has finally been established  This marks the point where everything came together and sorted itself out.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is, as I just said, when everything comes together in the Harry Potter franchise. All the characters that will be present in the finale are all here now and all the elements needed have began. This is where the road to the finale begins...is it worth travelling on (dude, that's deep). Whether it is or not, let's keep going with the franchise.

Verdict:
8/10
While there is a lot to enjoy, this is where things get real and paves the way towards the finale. The new characters seem a little unnecessary as well.