When you have a series as good as the Harry Potter series of movies it can sometimes be quite difficult to pick what has been the best film, but for me it will always be Harry Potter & The Order Of Phoenix… a sensational film that should silence anyone who dares criticize these films as trash.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) are openly ridiculed for their announcement that Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned, and in a bid to bring some order to Hogwarts the Ministry Of Magic announce that the cruel Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) is now in charge of Hogwarts. Dolores takes pleasure in punishing the students of Hogwarts, especially Harry and his group of friends. Desperate to do something Harry is convinced (through learning about The Order Of The Phoenix) puts together Dumbledore’s Army so that any students wanting to learn how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts can.
Director, David Yates takes the series into a really dark place and it works brilliantly. He manages to create a terrific old Gothic look that seems to enhance the story even more, and that is saying something seeing that this film has more drama (and for that matter special effects) than we are used to seeing before. The film also manages to bring more characterization to existing characters such as Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), while the introduction of Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lunch) is a highlight in the series.
Acting-wise the three leads (Radcliffe, Watson and Grint) continue to get better and better however it is the inclusion of actors like Helena Bonham Carter that really moves this film along. Carter lifts all the actors around her and seeing her perform with Alan Rickman is cinema at its best.
The best Potter film by far it will take a truly spectacular Deathly Hollows Part II to knock The Order Of The Phoenix off its perch.
Year: 2007
Director: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Ralph Fiennes, Imelda Staunton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lunch, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman
Classification: PG
Runtime: 138 mins
Rating: 