Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review

So Harry is back for his fifth movie adventure - but be warned, gone are the midnight feasts and jolly Quidditch sticks at Hogwarts. Instead life is getting very dark indeed for JK Rowling's teenage wizard. Anyone who saw "Goblet Of Fire" (or has read the books) will know that as we join proceedings the evil Lord Voldemort has returned but the Ministry of Magic refuse to accept this with First Minster Cornelius Fudge adamant that the Dark Lord is well and truly dead. As such doubt is being poured on Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) claims that Voldemort killed Cedric Diggory, making him a bit of pariah at school. Throw in evil new Hogwarts head Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) and life is pretty miserable for our angsty hero. But fortunately Harry does have allies in The Order of the Phoenix, who've teamed up to try and defend the wizarding world from Voldemort but will they be able to save help when He Who Must Not Be Named plots to obtain a precious prophecy?

Easily the darkest of the five Potter films to date, "Order of the Phoenix" is a dark vision as new director Davis Yates deftly captures the tone of severest of the books. Along with Yates, Staunton is easily the best new addition to the franchise, oozing menace despite her small stature while Helena Bonham Carter is equally terrifying as the wild-haired Bellatrix Lestrange. Also Gary Oldman makes a welcome return as Sirius Black and the rest of the cast are capable but let's face it, who watches the "Harry Potter" movies for the acting? Technically a couple of the effects are a bit hit-and-miss (Hagrid's half brother Grawp especially) but the grand finale battle as the Order battle Voldemort's loyal Death Eaters is intense and eye-catching.

If the dark is this exciting, then we wait for Yates' take on "Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince" with bated breath.