Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
July 13th, 2007 by Maggie Adan, Editor-in-Chief, K-ZonePosted in Media (Books, CDs, DVDs, Movies) |
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Showing: July 11
Hey, guys! Saw the movie yesterday. I’m currently writing my review from Las Vegas. I’m on vacay and yet here I am…a movie buff typing up her latest review just for you guys! (Aww…) Now that’s what I call DEDICATION! (Go, self!)
First off, you should know that I’m a massive…MASSIVE…HP fan. So this was one of the films that I’ve really been looking forward to see this year. Second, you should know that Order of the Phoenix is my least favorite book in the series so far. Although…I really loved the confrontation between Harry and Dumbledore near the end of the book. I thought that was classic. I cried my eyes out!
Now for the movie. I liked it. It’s my second fave HP movie (after Cuaron’s Prisoner of Azkaban) BUT although I loved it…I really did…I found it lacking heart. (Sorry, Myra). And the editing was also a bit too choppy for me. Maybe I need to see it a few more times (I always do multiple viewings of Potter movies…faaaaan!) to really form a more solid opinion of why I found it underwhelming. I just needed more from it…
(SPOILER ALERT!)
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…it’s where Sirius bites the dust for crying out loud! (Sniff, by the way). I’ll get back to you in a few days.
Why I loved it? I loved Loony Luna Lovegood. She was so perfectly spacey! I loved Umbridge…she was EEEEVIL, crazy, frightening. Loved the battle between the Death Eaters and the Order in the Ministry of Magic. Too cool for words! Loved the “good vs. evil” and “making choices” lessons. Loved, loved, loved Voldemort’s battle with Dumbledore. And I think Daniel Radcliffe did a fantastic job in this one. I loved that little tic he had whenever he’d have Voldemort inside him. And I loved the scene where he gets possessed by Voldemort near the end of the movie. He handled that scene perfectly, I think. And Sirius’ death? Anticlimactic? Too abrupt? Maybe. But you have to remember that that’s how it was in the book too. So, I won’t gripe too much about that.
Yes, I loved it. Yes, I’d watch it again. But yes, I still feel like they haven’t captured the heart and soul of the books. Maybe they never will. But if I judge it separately from the books (which is a bit hard to do if you’re a fan like me), it’s a dang fine Harry Potter movie…one that you definitely have to see.
So, what are YOUR thoughts?
P.S.
Who do you think will Harry end up with?
A. Ginny Weasley
B. Luna Lovegood
C. Hermione Granger
Hope to hear from you guys soon! See you at the comments below.
July 13th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Maggie, I agree with everything you said! I thought this was a fantastic movie, very well done, but because it did not delight as all the other HP movies did, even the substandard ones by Chris Columbus. But well, they’re just being true to the book, and I guess that’s why all love the Harry Potter series, because Harry actually grows up (compared to, let’s say, the Hardy Boys).
July 13th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
I looove Luna! Order is my least fave book of the series, and I was surprised when I saw the movie! It was really good.. Next stop, Book 7! Wooooeeeee!!! :p
July 13th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Who do you think will Harry end up with?
Ginny Weasley, OF COURSE!
Evanna Lynch has nailed Luna. She’s absolutely perfect!
July 13th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
ginny wesley.. read book 7 already.. it was really nice..
July 13th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Personally, I think the movies will never be good as good as the books
Jana — You’ve read Book 7 already?? How is that possible??
July 13th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Had just seen HP and I loved it!
That girl really nailed Luna Lovegood’s character.
And oh yeah, the battle at the Ministry of Magic was so cool! Especially the swooping black and white thing effect when the Death Eaters and the Order fought one another.
I hope they come out with the rest of the 3 movies very soon as Book 7 is coming out this July.
July 13th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
i know bookstore owners already have copies of hp7.
July 13th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
There’s an e-book of the Book 7 circulating around the ‘net, and I did happen to scan a few pages, and I think it’s not really the “real” book, per se. Maybe a fan fiction book, or maybe the rough draft, I think.
And I personally think the movie lacked magic (which is what the Harry Potter series is all about, right?). I agree with Maggie when she said the editing was choppy, the movie somehow made me feel “hurried,” so to speak.
Plus, they should have focused more on the last part of the book, where Harry et al went into the Ministry of Magic and had to find ways to supposedly save Sirius. They seriously missed out on some of the good parts!
July 13th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
i think if youre a fan and youve read the books you will be somehow find something lacking in the movies.
i loved this one
i loved luna lovegood. =)
just like i imagined her while reading the book.
umbridge was well, she was uglier in my imagination.haha.
while watching the flick i was so inis at her. i was like rar! at her every hem, hem.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:23 am
he’ll end up with hermione!! haha, that’s my guess.
July 14th, 2007 at 1:50 am
Maggie!! We love your hard-core dedication to ShopCrazy, but I hate the fact that you’re in Vegas and I’m here.
July 14th, 2007 at 3:03 am
jana - i think what u read was an e-book coz if that was it, i read that too. In that version, Harry ended up with Ginny and they had a baby at the end. Cute story but too good to be true. I’ll still be waiting for Book 7 though. lolz
* i have a copy of the e-book. if anybody wants it i can email it to u guys. (although it was not a jk rowling original, you will appreciate it if ur an HP fan like me! =p)
July 14th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I think that Harry should end up with Hermione at least.
Nah, just kidding. He’d be better with Ginny. 
I haven’t watched the movie yet but I think it’ll at least live up to my expectations… 
July 14th, 2007 at 11:29 am
I hope he ends up with Hermione Granger
July 14th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
RON ENDS UP WITH HERMIONE AND THAT’S THAT. Have you people even read the books or at least watched the movies?
July 14th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Whatever happened to Cho?? Blech
July 14th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
I hate Cho. grrr.. hahaha!
July 15th, 2007 at 9:34 am
hey duh, ron didn’t end up with hermione… we have yet to see on the 7th book if they’ll end up together. but as of the 6th book… hindi sila! ron even had an affair with lavender brown. may selos factor pero they didn’t end up together.
jana - maybe that was fan fic?
i absolutely hated umbridge, she is a total bitch… haha… and i loved luna… she’s so… loony. hihi
enjoyed the movie… though i really had to try not to compare it with the book (which was a bit hard)
July 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
greetings Trina! Can you send me the e-book of HP? I haven’t read the Original book 7 but i sure would like to know what’s in it. TNX!!!
July 15th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
greetings, Trina!!! can you send me the e-book of HP book 7? Its ok if its not the original, i just want to know what’s in that version. TNX!!!
July 15th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
The movie was okey but it didn’t impress me. And, i really wanted to know what the ‘Weasley is our King’ tune was. :
July 15th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
harry just might go with ginny, and ron (i think) most definitely with hermione.(hahaha i think not all have read all the books just yet)
the nerd in me is coming out: see, they’re trying to conserve time with the choppiness, but that it’s also a film style called “jump cuts”, wherein the next shot doesn’t necessarily have to have something to do with the next. it’s pretty exciting that way. a bit confusing, but a lot of filmmakers make a name for themselves for incorporating those kinds of styles.
imax most definitely made it more exciting. it’s like you can touch harry’s face while he’s flying, or that you can pinch cho while she’s kissing him (hmp.). and luna and umbridge were given most definite justice.
July 15th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Im not sure if i liked the movie, book 5 was my least favorite book so far, its like i wanted more emotion from the film. and yes, its really hard to separate the movie from the book (the movie was based on the book, so its normal to compare, right?)
i loved luna!
and i agree with camille, i also imagined umbridge to be bitchier than that.
i also imagined harry to be darker and more self-absorbed than that.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Hi Trina! Can you please email me the ebook? Thanks and appreciate it!
I also loved the movie although not a really big HP fan. This is the second movie I’ve watched and haven’t read any book (just starting HP1). The movie is well-made if you ask me because it brings you to a totally different and magical world…I like Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire better because of the tournaments and the ball.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:50 am
i just think the movie’s ok. Azkaban is still my fave. bring back Cuaron!!
i missed Snape in the movie that’s why i kept thinking something was off.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:09 am
this movie missed out on a lot of things. if you aren’t an HP fan, you’d wonder about the veil and its implications. i mean, you’d assume sirius died because he was hurt by a death eater and not because he fell into the veil. anyway, i loved the effects in the end. i also didn’t imagine that hagrid’s giant half brother would be that big. haha!
the movies always seem a bit “bitin” to me, so i always end up reading the books all over again after each movie comes out. makes me appreciate the movie and the story behind it more.
oh, plus in this movie, it lacked scenes over at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters no? and the movie didn’t quite explain why dumbledore avoided harry… or did i just miss that?
July 16th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Hahahahaha! Thanks, Princess Cherry! Vegas rocks…we’re off to New York next.
Thanks for the comments, guys! Yep…can’t wait to read the book too!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hey MASSIVE Harry Potter fan. Me too to the following items:
1. OOTP is also the book I like the least.
2. Loved Luna and Umbridge in the movie.
3. Can’t wait for Saturday.
4. The books will always be better but the movies are good enough.
Harry and Ginny, of course…
July 16th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Maggie, why are you working? You’re supposed to be on vacation! :p
Loved the movie, but yes, it lacks heart. (yeooouch, can’t believe i said that!) I think Harry should’ve been more angsty…he came across as more of a loner in the movie rather than a messed up teenager who just saw his friend murdered. I did like his scenes with Sirius Black…I always, ALWAYS teared up when they’re together, and was positively bawling when Sirius snuffed it. (my friend freaked out when she saw me. Seriously.)
Also think they should’ve harped more about the prophecy. It was such a huuuge deal in the book, and that didn’t translate in the movie.
Other than those couple of glitches, I really, really loved the movie.
Evanna Lynch was eerily perfect as Luna, Umbridge was really annoying, and the older actors definitely made the most out of their short screen time (go Snape and Lucius!) And the trio’s acting are definitely getting better. Dan was fantabulous in this one. 
PS: Is it just me or the kiss was just a little too long? HMPH.
PPS: Maggie, don’t forget the hand and footprint picture okay? HAHA! :p See you soon!
July 16th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
^^^ditto on the prophesy angle. the movie didn’t quite show why he-who-must-not-be-named wanted to get his hands on it so bad.
anyway, i enjoyed the movie nonetheless.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
You hit the spot - I have the same comment. The movie lacked the book’s heart w/c is really much worse since the book is not as loved as many as it is. The editing is choppy indeed - goodness, I thought I am the only person on earth to notice that!
And yes, Lovegood is such a revelation and may I add Helena as Beatrix does not look like she’s acting at all. hehehe.
The kick on watching the movie is the Harry Hermione moments - the chemistry is too strong to ignore. It’s something that we might never ever see on the books as the Ron Hermione thing is strongly built up but at least it gives die hard some kicks/incentive to watch the movie no matter how bad it is made.
I am sticking with Alfonso on the helm. I think his is the better version so far.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:37 am
i watched it in gateway and i hated the fact that the audience get kilig during harry-cho chang scenes.. GRRRR!
July 17th, 2007 at 11:39 am
yes! it is a big GRRRR!!! in a harry -cho chang kissing scene. I don’t like that scene too! they were not nakaka kilig. nakakainis. yes.
July 18th, 2007 at 3:31 am
i hate umbridge but i love the pink look, it soo legally blonde,hehehe..
and yes he will end up w/ ginny in book 7.
July 19th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
i agree. same sentiments…
i felt that the weasley twins weren’t given justice (just fireworks?!?!) haha and yeah im too disappointed about the no-quidditch-scene thing, im a huge RON fan! hahaha
i just wish that there’ll be an extended version DVD!
watched it twice. liked the dept of mysteries scene!
July 19th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
and yep….cuaron’s film is the best
July 20th, 2007 at 2:02 am
joyce, what’s ur email po?
im gonna send u the e-book there ayt?
cassie, i’ll send ur copy too! =p
July 23rd, 2007 at 6:08 pm
hi trina, please send me a copy of the e-book too at karencarpenter11@yahoo.com.
thanks a lot
July 24th, 2007 at 2:33 am
karen, ur copy has been sent to ur email na. I hope ul like it but since Deathly Hallows is available in bookstores that would be a lot better than the fake transcript.
July 25th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
trina, thank you, i received your email na. I don’t have a copy of the real thing yet so I’ll take a look at the fake transcript first
Have you read the book? Is it so much different?
July 26th, 2007 at 12:51 am
karen, i haven’t read the 7th book yet. wla pako pera hehe hopefully i will buy the book na this weekend. kainis lang kc dami na spoilers sa net! can’t help tlga to take a peek on it hehe
* there’s a lot of same scenarios pla with the fake transcript sa original hp 7 book.
July 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
too late for this.. but then better shout it out ……i agree with “duh” ron and hermione did end up together.. it was in book6.. they were already a couple.. and with the film? damn it.. was disppointed never thought it would be made that bad.. editing was horrific.. story was not completely expressed.. the good actors was not even given a great deal of a part.. they looked like they just went there to have a chat.. loved the fifth book hated the film.. for me the 5th was really my favorite.. and harry ends up with ginny.. ;p cho’s just a big cry baby.. ( d nga pnakita sa movie..) c wat i mean? dmi kulang…:( big fan of the books but not much of the movies.. read the books.. ul love it more than the movies.. loved book 7 hated the epilogue though.. i love kreacher!!! hehehe