Dir. David Yates, UK/US, 2007, 138 mins
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, et al
Review by Jean Lynch
At first glance, one wonders how the Harry Potter franchise has moved from Chris Columbus, a very American director of some of the most smaltziest and successful children’s movies with Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire, to David Yates who, on closer inspection of his biography, is revealed as a television director. Even more intriguingly, the director of politicial dramas, including the tv series ‘State of Play’ and the admittedly brilliant and multi-award-winning ‘The Girl in the Cafe’. Still not the first person to spring to mind for Harry Potter. However...
Our fifth instalment is the one which has most worried fans as this is the one in which Harry gets angry... angry at what the past five years have thrown at him and still continue to do so. As Harry matures, so the story matures... as the teenage angst and rebellion tear through to the very core of the ‘boy’ wizard, so the darkness of his tale infiltrates every corner of the film. These are dark days indeed and a defter hand for subterfuge is required.
The story begins with Harry (Radcliffe) being forced to use magic in the presence of a muggle, his cousin Dudley, to protect him from the forces of evil when they are suddenly attacked by two dementors. This opening scene begins very much in the realist tradition, with stark imagery and no sense of fantasy whatsoever, but with a very grim sense of menace. The cold suspense teases us into the film and the sudden collision with dark forces catapaults us into the story and from then on we are with Harry all the way.
For his use of his powers in front of Dudley, Harry is summoned in front of the Ministry of Magic to explain himself. The Minister himself, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) wants Harry expelled from Hogwarts but intervention from Dumbledore (Gambon) sees him aquitted. However, triumph is short lived as Harry realises that those around him do not believe in his recent confrontation with Valdermort (Ralph Fiennes). Plagued by nightmares and increasingly convinced that Dumbledore is going out of his way to avoid him, Harry begins to feel very alone at Hogwarts.
However, he is soon called upon by his friends to save them all and the school against a new threat: Professor Dolores Umbridge (Staunton). The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has been appointed by Fudge to keep an eye on all at Hogwarts, but her course in magic is teaching the students anything but, and what’s more, this pink clad cross between Margaret Thatcher and Hyacinth Bucket, is intent on taking over the school, issuing decrees against anything and everything she doesn’t like along the way. At first reluctant, Harry heads ‘Dumbledore’s Army’ of rebellious classmates, finally becoming the teacher himself as he passes on the baton of his own magic skills and uniting the group ready for the battle when it comes.
There is something a little awe-inspiring in watching a modern hero who is destined to become a legend, possibly throughout the centuries, play out his story for the first time on the big screen, and for this audience to have been in the unique position of watching the characters/actors grow up practically in real time. Ultimately, the legacy of the books and fims will be for generations of children to come to grow up with them too and so the rebelliousness and angst of the fifth film and the growing maturity of the series is entirely appropriate. Plus there’s the little matter of a certain kiss...
Yates is an ideal choice of director for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With a society that is increasingly worried about the surreptitious erosion of privacy and human rights on the part of the government, the director is able to bring this element of the film to the forefront and keep it light-hearted enough for children to enjoy but tipping a knowing nod towards the parents. The Ministry’s atrium, too, harks back to a totalitarian state, with the colossal underground court dominated by a soviet style propaganda poster of Fudge. This set, incidentally, is the largest ever built for a Harry Potter Film.
Order of the Phoenix is a dark film and Harry is increasingly dark and complex too; however, it is the most cohesive, taut, and stunning film of the series yet. It is wonderful to see all three of the main heroes developing their characters, with Daniel Radcliffe in particular demonstrating a wider range to his talents. There’s a nice cameo from Helena Bonham-Carter and Evanna Lynch is delightfully quirky and ethereal as Luna Lovegood, a schoolfriend of Harry’s who believes in him when others don’t. However, the standout is Imelda Staunton, her monstrous but hilarious pink creation an instant classic comedy character.
With more giants and centaurs and strange skeleton-like horses, the film is laden with beautiful artistry and special effects, while the action sequences are adrenalin-charged, gravity defying, fairground rides – breathtaking, terrifying and exhilarating. There is romance and there are tears but the action barely stops and when it does, suspense looms in its stead, making this one of the most thrilling cinema experiences this year.
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