'Phoenix' Rising
By Sarah Carlson
July 11, 2007
The Summer of Harry kicked off at midnight with the premiere of "Order of the Phoenix," the film adaptation of the fifth and too-long book in the almost-complete series. In a week and a half, millions will be lining up to find out how Harry Potter's journey ends, but for now, fans were satiated with the release of the fifth movie in the series.
"Phoenix" isn't perfect, and it doesn't match the excellent pacing and drama of "Goblet of Fire," but in many ways its makers didn't have a choice. The criticisms that can be said about the movie are the same criticisms that can be said about the book: There's just too much information to cover.
Harry stumbled through much of the book in the angst-riddled way only a 15-year-old who is almost murdered each year can. He's rude, obnoxious, pouty -- a teenager. Some of that is captured in the film, but mostly the viewer has to fill in the blanks. Dumbledore's Army is given ample screen time, but missing here are the backstories and character development: how Harry learns that the reason he can see the Thestrals pulling the carriages up to Hogwarts is because he's seen death, something that sets him apart from his friends; how Sirius in many ways confuses Harry with Harry's dad, James; how James and Sirius are knocked off the heroic pedestals Harry placed them on when Harry sees into Snape's mind and witnesses the two harassing Snape in school; how angry Harry felt at Dumbledore -- so angry that when the end finally comes, he can't contain all of his emotions.
These anecdotes are what make the books worth reading and what makes it OK that the movies can't fit them all in. The films are a supplement, really, a treat for fans who are thrilled to see Harry's world -- one that they've imagined for years -- come to life. I can't say whether someone who hasn't read the books will enjoy/understand the films, but the more people inspired to read the books after seeing the films, the better.
"Order of the Phoenix" is sad, funny, suspenseful and thrilling to watch. Imelda Staunton is the perfect Dolores Umbridge, the evil Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher sent from the Ministry of Magic; Helena Bonham Carter has almost too much fun as Bellatrix Lestrange, the death eater who tortured Neville Longbottom's parents; and Gary Oldman is reliable as ever as Sirius -- even if he doesn't receive enough screen time. Each film's effects top its predecessor's, and it's as entertaining to watch the sets and special effects evolve as it is to see how Harry, Ron and Hermione and the gang have grown. In one scene, in which Harry is telling his friends of his first kiss, all three laugh and kid around so naturally that I was struck for a moment, thinking we were probably seeing the actors' camaraderie shine through along with the characters'. With the past two films, we finally care about the characters we're seeing on screen for who they are on screen -- not who they are on the page.
The story of Harry's teenage years at Hogwarts is a journey, and each film has raised the bar for the next in the series -- just as each book has done. "Order of the Phoenix" is a task to read and a task to bring to life on screen, but its makers do so in style.
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