Made to Order
Phoenix Film For Potter Book Fans

Since the Harry Potter fervor began back in the 1990s, I've often said that this series has done a wonderful thing by getting kids excited about reading again. With the inevitable adaptation of the books to films, many may wonder if kids are now skipping the chore of slogging through 900 pages in favor of a two-hour movie. With the latest film installment of the series, the story relies heavily on pre-existing knowledge of the book. In short, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is for the readers -- and everyone else may discover they are missing something.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds more than a prophecy waiting for him at the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (Warner Bros., 2007)
Directed by: David Yates
Written by: Michael Goldenberg, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Maggie Smith, Jason Isaacs, and Michael Gambon

Rated PG-13 (for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images)
Running time: 138 min.

FilmGuru's Rating : 8 out of 10.

Order of the Phoenix, the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, picks up shortly after the conclusion of Goblet of Fire. Following the return of Lord Voldemort and the death of a fellow student, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself distanced from everyone he cares about.

After being attacked by the monstrous Dementors, Harry is placed on trial by the Ministry of Magic for using his powers in front of a Muggle (non-magical person). The incident, as well as Harry's insistence that Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is alive and well, causes a change in policy at the Ministry.

The shake-up extends to the Hogwarts school where Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) is installed as the new teacher for the Defense Against the Dark Arts. Umbridge is there to introduce a new "Ministry-approved" curriculum, which centers on theory rather than practice. To fill the gap in her ineffective teaching, Harry is enlisted by the other students to begin training them in secret.

While the film offers a nicely condensed version of the nearly 900-page tome, it clearly expects viewers to have a good understanding of the book. Some things, like the Room of Requirement, are given only the briefest of explanations, while others are given no explanation at all. Entire subplots, such as the NEWT exams and the fate of Neville's parents, are completely skipped. Most importantly, the significance of the veiled doorway in the Ministry of Magic is not clear, downplaying what should be a heart-breaking, climactic event in the film.

The film does some wonderful things, however, such as giving justice to a few moments that defined the novel. Seeing Harry's first kiss with Cho Chang (Katie Leung) was magical. The defiant departure of the Weasley boys, Fred and George (James and Oliver Phelps), was a high point of the novel and remains one of the film.

The addition of Staunton as Umbridge is a sheer delight. Her pink and perfectly ordered world are tailor made to be loathed by everyone. The real treat, however, is the casting of Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood. Her soft, wispy voice and large doe-eyes are perfect for this flighty character.

Despite the changes to the story, Order of the Phoenix offers a nice adaptation of the film. For those, like me, who struggle to finish each large volume, the films are a nice recap of events. For those who never bothered to read the novels in the first place, perhaps the films will entice them to delve deeper into Harry's world and pick up the books to learn more.