HP retrospective #5:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2007, 12, Directed by David Yates

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Katie Leung, Evanna Lynch, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright

Harry Potter was only getting bigger and tougher to adapt as the series went on… With each film, more characters were introduced with even more returning and the opportunity for big moments where acting heavyweights share screentime with others more likely. David Yates grasps the directorial reigns here, remaining indebted to the role until the films reach their final destination this Friday. Yates, largely known for his work on British TV, was an incredibly brave if gratifying decision, a veteran in condensing his work into a limited screen time – a necessity in the case of mammoth Order of the Phoenix novel. This is the Harry Potter where the Ministry of Magic attempts to suppress the return of Lord Voldemort by indoctrinating Hogwarts with Ministry bigwig and new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Dolores Umbridge, played by a simply marvellous Imelda Staunton. Dressed smartly in pink tweed and surrounded by pictures of cats in her office, sipping on a cup of tea, Umbridge enters a location we feel comforted by and sets to gaining order in such a way that shakes it all up. Moreover, she interacts with characters she sees as inferior in a disgusting manner (how dare she speak to McGonagall like that?!) In fact, Dolores is so brilliantly played to perfection by Staunton that you wish you were in the film squarely to put an end to her grotesque ways; upon reflection, she is as villainous as Voldemort, for her actions (which includes – in one of the films more memorable moments – forcing Harry to write ‘I must not tell lies’ with a pen that etches the line painfully onto his wrist, as well as forcing to use the Cruciatus curse on students) – at least You-Know-Who knows he is evil!

Aware that they are in danger and even more susceptible to it due to the Ministry’s insistence that they are safe, Dumbledore’s Army is formed, in which pupils in Hogwarts train themselves up for an inevitable battles with the Death Eaters; this provides the younger cast with a chance to shine. As usual, Radcliffe, Grint and Watson evolve as they do with every film, but it is newcomer Evanna Lynch as the kooky, sweet-as-hell Luna Lovegood who is the show stealer. There are some set-pieces filled with hilarity in Order of the Phoenix: Filch, in awe of Umbridge, clocking onto the Army but not quite sure where they convene as they run rings around him; a gigantic disruption in the Great Hall courtesy of Fred and George, much to Umbridge’s dismay. But regardless of these moments, there is an uneasy tone prevalent throughout fuelled by the climax of the previous film. The film opens with Harry in danger for the first time outside of the magic world, as Dementor’s attack him and vulgar Vernon. Dumbledore – a safe and encouraging figure amidst the chaos – distances himself from Harry entirely. Even the Ministry’s persistence that Harry is lying about Voldemort’s return leaves a feeling of solidarity in which you truly fear for Harry’s safety, especially when Umbridge manages to usurp Dumbledore’s power and becomes Hogwarts’ headmistress. Harry’s unstable mind as he struggles to deal with what is occurring, as well as the danger that is surrounding him and his friends is something that is manifested through stylistic dream sequences which, quite frankly, scare (A moment in which Harry walks through the 12 Grimmauld Place cranks up the tension effortlessly, which culminates in a door opening and Hermione lunging herself at her best friend). These mixture of feelings are strangely emotive.

As the film draws to a climax and Dumbledore’s Army translate what they have learnt into battling the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries, the octane is higher than it has ever been before. In fact, it is quite a shock to note that this is the first bout of full-on magic duelling Harry Potter has seen, which is more than made up for by the Dumbledor Vs. Voldemort duel which not only drops the jaw, but dazzles on screen. David Yates captures everything in an un-confusing manner that makes complete sense (you’re always in the know of which spell has been fired from whose wand) and creates an unnerving amount of tension, which albeit ends in tragedy for one of the best characters the series has seen (and the departure of the simply amazing Gary Oldman). As the film draws to a close, it will hit you how – even though JK Rowling’s story and universe are key to Harry Potter’s success, at the crux of the film are the performances that bring her creations to life. It just so happens that inspired casting (Staunton, Helena Bonham Carter as the maniac Bellatrix Lestrange) and interaction that sets the screen alight make this arguably the best Potter film…

…and if I’m wrong, I will etch ‘I must not tell lies’ onto my wrist.

4/5

Best Moment:

That duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort. You wait 5 films for action and get more than you bargained for. A classic moment.

Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor:

As if we haven’t spoken enough of her, Dolores Umbridge – the most evil ‘nice’ person perhaps ever; all she wants is order!

Best Character:

Severus Snape – I admit defeat, ok? His Occlumency lessons with Harry, in which he attempts to train Harry to protect his mind from Voldemort’s possession is one of the many highlights of this film.

Best Line:

Harry Potter: He’s got Padfoot! He’s got Padfoot at the place where it’s hidden!

Dolores Umbridge: Padfoot? What is Padfoot? And where what’s hidden? What is he talking about, Snape?

Severus Snape: (pause) No idea…