Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

As a little reward to myself for finishing my latest uni assignment on time, I went and saw the latest Harry Potter movie with Jo today.

I haven’t read any of the books but I’ve seen all the movies up to this one, and I’ve noticed as the children get older the story gets darker.

Following Harry’s face off with the Lord Voldemort in Goblet of Fire, we return in Order of the Phoenix to find The Ministry of Magic in a state of fear and denial about the return of “the one who should not be named”. The Ministry discredits Harry and Dumbledore, and takes over the running of Hogwarts.

One of the more enjoyable parts of the movie for me was the establishment of “Dumbledore’s Army” – formed from the secret classes started by Harry and his friends after the Ministry alters the school’s curriculum to exclude any practice of magic.

Voldemort reappears at the Department of Mysteries, after tricking Harry into going there to find his “prophecy”. The prophecy orb breaks, but not before Harry learns what it says – one of them must die at the hand of the other! A battle ensues, the forces of Voldemort against the re-united Order of Phoenix, led by Sirius and Dumbledore. Sirius is taken from Harry.. and Voldemort escapes, but not before members of the Ministry see that he has returned and must acknowledge the truth.

Overall I’d have to disagree with author J.K. Rowling’s appraisal of this movie as “the best yet” (referenced on Wikipedia). The acting was great but the story seemed a little wishy washy in parts.