 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ** By Dan Hudak Okay, enough already. We’ve known since the first book/film that Harry Potter is on a collision course with his nemesis Lord Voldemort, and it’s becoming a trying experience waiting for them to have a fight that actually matters. Sure, they do battle, but let’s be honest: Ever since author J.K. Rowling announced that this would be a seven-part series we’ve all been twiddling our thumbs waiting for something relevant to happen. As a result, the movie version of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (number five in the series) is often a laboring, unfulfilling experience that doesn’t tell us much that we didn’t already know. Worse, the technical wizardry that made the first four films appealing has given way to a gloomy, morose atmosphere that’s loyal to Rowling’s vision but makes for a dour cinematic experience. Director David Yates has made the series’ shortest film (138 minutes) out of its longest book (870 pages), but the core story remains. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) warn that Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned, but the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), and others vehemently deny that the assertions are true. In an attempt to quell further incendiary remarks, Fudge appoints Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. She’s a small, grandmotherly-piece of bubbly cheer until her two-faced aggression toward Harry, his fellow students and certain faculty members makes her deliciously hateful. Although Judi Dench would’ve been perfect for the role as well, Staunton nails the contrast between Umbridge’s dastardly actions and happy demeanor. Meanwhile, Harry is having nightmares, feeling an uncomfortable kinship with Voldemort and struggling with teen angst as he finds himself attracted to classmate Cho Chang (Katie Leung). The fourth film, “Goblet of Fire,” was good because director Mike Newell seamlessly combined the horrors of adolescence with the growing danger surrounding Harry. In Yates’ “Phoenix,” however, the coming-of-age aspects are overpowered by downtrodden gloom. For example, Harry’s first kiss is shot in a faintly lit room with a strong tint of blue, which suggests a cold harshness and in no way is appropriate for such a sweet moment. Principal cast members including Alan Rickman (Snape), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) return, but what’s notably absent in “Phoenix” is anything that’s fun. There are no Quidditch matches, affable ghosts like “Nearly Headless Nick” or even a mention of Gryffindor or Slytherin, two of the four houses at Hogwarts. In fact, the only color comes from Umbridge’s neon-pink outfits, which are so gaudy they’re objectionable. Thus aside from a few nice visual effects sequences, including a broomstick ride down the Thames River and the finale, there’s very little life in this dark tale. Again, though, this is what Rowling’s books dictate. And with millions of fans eagerly anticipating the release of the seventh and final book later this month, the franchise is alive and well. It’ll be curious to see, though, how many fans remain interested in another movie 18 months from now after learning how the series ends and seeing this flat and un-involving movie. Comments? E-mail dhudak22@yahoo.com |
