Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (PG) * *

Back To School!

It's hard to argue with success. Venerable Warner Brothers has luckily latched onto a goldmine with the adaptation of author J.K. Rowling's classy Harry Potter Series. Film number five, called Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has again captured hearts and filmgoers wallets at the Scotia Bank Theatre as well as Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C. Comparisons to the previous four box office hits are inevitable but alas, this installment comes up short.

Children everywhere by now are familiar with the world of Harry Potter. You need not have seen any of the previous films to enjoy this version, though knowing the background and multitude of characters would be beneficial. Story wise, this 118 minute films sees Harry going back to school, quite literally, and then given the boot. What gives, you say? Well, lots of manipulative machinations spring forth with Harry being tempted to enter the dark side. Say, haven't I heard that somewhere before. Think Star Wars and maybe even the latest Spider-Man 3 Peter Parker bad guy dimension to understand what's plaguing poor Harry.

Plot-wise, Harry runs smack dab into the headmaster from hell and then must confront enemies of his past who are hell bent on sacrificing him for their common good. Here you have the good school staff against the bad ones with poor Harry and friends caught in the crossfire where they are played like pawns by the powers that be.

Again, a more maturing Daniel Radcliffe soars as Harry with trusty sidekicks Rupert Grint (Driving Lessons) and Emma Watson there to lend supports as best buddies Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Lost in the shuffle in this overlong movie are the imaginative touches that made the first Potter films so damn entertaining.

Believe it or not the best thing in this film is the stellar performance of veteran actress Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) who steals this movie from everyone else as the daffy Dolores Umbridge, the teacher from hell. Roll calls for the best British talent should be announced for here it looks like every A class actor from across the pond is on display. Among the British invasion are Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Julie Waters, to name just a view. Men also are well represented here with Ralph Fiennes, Richard Griffiths, Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman among the many thespians applying their talents.

Potter no. 5 is a slow moving film directed by David Yates with what seems like an eternity for some action to heat up – mainly during the last 20 minute of the film. Lack of creative punch, a very dark edge that's hard to absorb and little sense of real danger make this Potter only a mild thumbs up. Perhaps the end scenes warning future aggression may be a tell tale sign as occurred in the first Lord of the Rings fantasies. Only time will tell.