Since “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is David Yates’s first tour through the realm of witchcraft and wizardry, I’m willing to give him a free pass on the condition that his next visit be more stirring and full of life than this one. That’s not to say that this trip isn’t entertaining. It most certainly is. Just not on the same fantastically imaginative level of the prior installments. What was so enjoyable and thrilling about those films is that they playfully indulged in magic without making those who haven’t read the books feel alienated. Here, I’m not so sure that’s the case.
When we first see Mr. Potter, he is standing trial for the unlawful use of spells in the presence of muggles (non-magical people). He’s threatened with expulsion and has almost the entire Ministry of Magic deeming him to be a fabricator following claims that Lord Voldemort has returned.
Luckily for him, Professor Dumbledore comes to the rescue and enables Harry to return to Hogwarts and continue his studies. Harry has changed a lot since we last saw him in 2005 and his overwhelming alienation is reaching unprecedented heights. He has trouble sleeping, the media trashes him, and his fellow classmates are growing tired of his menacing assertions. The only thing keeping him sound appears to be his enduring friendship with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who stick with him regardless of the risk or consequences involved.
This time, they’ve convinced Harry to start training other students in preparation for an impending war with Voldemort’s army. Everything seems to be in place for an unyielding defense until school officials get word of their illicit plans and attempt to shut them down.
It’s at this point that we become familiarized with newly hired Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), who has a sadistic obsession with making Harry’s life miserable. Staunton’s biting interpretation of this acid-tongued disciplinarian is simply terrific. Her ability to have you completely hating the character by the end of the film is indeed the sign of a great actress. Umbridge’s egomaniacal personality leaves her with few allies against Harry, so their constant battles provide some of the film’s best moments.
As for the rest of the cast, this one pretty much reads like a Who’s Who among talented British actors. You have Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Emma Thompson in some spots and then you have Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, and Robbie Coltrane in others. If that wasn’t enough, Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes also find their way into the wizarding world. And that’s without even mentioning the three spectacular leads!
Despite this extraordinary collection of talent, the film itself doesn’t deliver as much as fans expect it would. Sure, there are plenty of duels and interesting characters walking around, but in the end, nothing transcendent ever happens. Harry kisses Cho for the first time yet all of the sensitive emotions surrounding that highly anticipated moment are never even discussed. For me, too much was left untouched as far as plot development goes, so I left a bit disappointed. But like I said before, it’s not bad for Yates’s first go-around. I just wanted more.
- *** out of 4
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