HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

[Patcat]

I was semi-dragged to this film this weekend--not because I dislike Harry Potter--far from it, but because I'd read the book and wasn't sure I wanted to see the tortures Harry goes through depicted on screen. I was happily surprised by the film. Not a great film--I don't think any of the Potter films have been great films--but certainly a good one. I missed spending more time with those wonderful adult characters played by wonderful British character actors--I would have liked more time with Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, David Threwlis, Gary Oldman, and Michael Gambon. Among the younger actors, Tom Felton, who's made a wonderful villain out of Draco Malfoy, got terribly shortchanged. But then the film--which moves very well--would have been about four hours long. There was enough for all of these actors to make an impression, especially Oldman whose scenes as Harry's godfather Sirius Black resonated deeply.

Imelda Staunton's turn as the wonderfully horrible Delores Umbridge has been justly praised. A great villainous performance.

What impressed me most was the work of the young actors. These kids can really act. Emma Watson as Hermione and Rupert Grint as Ron were really solid in their roles. Grint in particular has really grown up. I've thought he's been a little hammy in some of the past films, but he's excellent in this one.

And Daniel Radcliffe was great as Harry. He's thrown a lot in this story, and he handled it all very well. This kid looks to be the real deal.

It is a very intense film, so approach accordingly with young children.

Patcat

[effie]

Dragged myself to see this last night after work and rehearsal...

Its amazing how a movie who's first shot is a wide open empty field could end up feeling so claustrophobic...

They did a pretty good job condensing things down -- felt less like the Cliff Notes version of the book than some of the previous movies. A few things here or there tweaked to keep things clicking along bothered some people I know, but they made sense to me stylistically and thematically...

The kids were great -- Harry looked very professorial during those DA sessions.

Kept me riveted, and it wasn't over until midnight-thirty, so that's saying something :0)

[Sirenna]

If you get to see this in IMAX 3-d, do it. The visual effects become amazing.

Other than that it was ok. I'm looking for this middle part of the work to be the darkest of all and it just wasn't. Personally, I thought the acting by the kids especially wasn't very intense. They don't display depth when I compare them to a young Leonardo di Caprio or Elizabeth Taylor and I thought the plummy British actors acted or were directed to act in a pantomime kind of way.

It's not a bad movie though. I'd say better than all of the ones which have preceded it so far.