Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
★★ — Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
The fifth entry in Warner Bros.' enormously profitable Potter series, Order of the Phoenix is adapted from J.K. Rowling's longest novel in the sequence (nearly 900 pages in hardback), which immediately posed a compression problem for screenwriter Michael Goldenberg, stepping in for Steve Kloves who had handled the previous four films. Most significantly, this was the first Potter picture handed to David Yates, a British television director whose prior credits included the BBC political dramas State of Play and The Girl in the Café. The appointment raised eyebrows at the time, given the scale involved, but Warner Bros. evidently approved of the result, keeping Yates on for every remaining instalment. Filmed largely at Leavesden Studios and various London locations, the production came in at around $150 million and grossed close to $940 million worldwide.
Of all the Harry Potter films, this one feels the most like a slog. It’s not the absolute worst, just the most forgettable. Instead of moving the story forward with energy or purpose, it spends most of its time dumping lore, circling the same frustrations, and trapping Harry in a cycle of anger and isolation that quickly grows tiresome. The Ministry denying Voldemort’s return makes sense in the plot, but watching adults ignore the truth for over two hours gets dull fast. The film is long, grim, and oddly flat. David Yates makes his series debut here, and while his style brings a darker tone, it also drains much of the magic out of Hogwarts. The castle feels more like a prison than a school, and the rebellion of Dumbledore’s Army, which should be empowering, comes across as half-hearted. Even the action in the final battle lacks impact, more crashing and shouting than real tension. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are barely given anything to do, and the emotional core between Harry and Sirius fizzles instead of flaring. When the pivotal moment comes, it doesn’t land with the weight it should. There are a few good visuals (the Ministry’s Hall of Prophecy is eerie, and the Thestrals are striking) but they’re not enough. This one doesn’t so much tell a story as mark time. It’s a filler chapter dressed up as drama, and the lowest point in the series so far.
Rating: ★★ | Year: 2007 | Watched: 2025-07-27
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