Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Review: Give Potter a Break!

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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is an adventurous fantasy fictional movie directed by David Yates and released in 2007. The Order of the Phoenix stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is set in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1996.  

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth movie of J.K Rowling’s eight-part saga following the life of Harry Potter during his years at Hogwarts.  Harry’s troubles, whether they be legal or social, throughout the movie are ever-growing. Harry is faced with trial hearings in order to appeal his expulsion from Hogwarts. He is receiving cold and distant treatment from his mentors while watching his beloved school turn to a strict prison when taken over by yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He is also fighting off rumors questioning his honesty following the events of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, while simultaneously attempting to cope with said events. Harry tries to juggle his troubles all while preparing for his greatest threat, the return of Lord Voldemort. 

The Order of the Phoenix, although fantasy, tackles realistic aspects of mental health. Daniel Radcliffe perfectly portrays the PTSD that Harry Potter struggles with throughout the film. Radcliffe captures the anger and anxiety that comes with losing a loved one, especially in such a traumatic way. He also delivers an exceptional performance in the tragically iconic ministry of magic scene. Actresses that also appeal to the emotions of the audience include Imelda Staunton, playing Dolores Umbridge, and Helena Bonham Carter, playing Bellatrix Lestrange. Both of these actresses play the infamous roles of irritable and frustrating characters that create conflict and aggravate the audience. Imelda Staunton depicts an uptight, irksome, abusive teacher that makes the lives of the Hogwarts students miserable. Helena Bonham Carter plays the role of a deranged follower of Voldemort whose purpose is to terrorize Harry and his loved ones. These performances evoke reactions from the audience and engage them to the film. 

Another aspect of the Order of the Phoenix that draws an audience is the upstanding special effects. When watching a film centered around magic, an attention to special effects is expected; however, the Order of the Phoenix outshines all the previous Harry Potter movies with its remarkable editing. The Weasley twins’ OWLS prank, Dumbledore’s Army training, and the epic wand duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort are all examples of scenes with jaw-dropping special effects. The editing that goes into the creation of the Harry Potter movies blurs the lines between fiction and reality. With every flick of a wand, the magic of Harry Potter leaves their audience in awe. 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix combines the magical and mystical aspects of fiction with the dark and harsh aspects of reality. It features extraordinary acting and exceptional special effects. The Order of the Phoenix is a perfect movie for die-hard Harry Potter fans and viewers unsure of whether or not they should watch the saga. The Order of the Phoenix is a great film to watch with a bag of popcorn and a box of tissues.