I am a huge fan of Harry Potter. I don’t care how many foolish mistakes Rowling makes while platforming for her books and ideals, the story she’s created will be remembered as long as there are people who read.
So it follows that I’m a huge fan of anything Potter-related. I own both sets of books: the American and the British releases, and yes . . . there is a difference. I own all the movies. I even own a replica of Harry’s wand. But we’re not here to talk about wands, let’s get to the movie.
Since I am crazy about the story, that makes me a harsher critic. For example, I think Micahel Gambon’s portrayal of Dumbledore has been consistently dismal. If only poor Richard Harris was still with us; he truly understood the complexities of the magnificent character. I also think that certain of the directors (sorry Alfonso. And Mike, you’re almost on my list too) have tried to hard to realize their mundane visions and got in the way of Rowling’s spectacular dream.
But, with all of that said, I think Order of the Phoenixis one of my favorites. On the positive side, this is the best job Michael Gambon has done. He chiseled off that un-Dumbledore-like, roughshod facade and lightened up a bit. I actually enjoyed his performance.
As directing goes, David Yates did a phenomenal job himself. The scenes, acts, shots, and cinematography beautifully complimented the characters and plot-line of Harry Potter.
There were a number of story-changes though. In the past Steve Cloves and Rowling were very close as they crafted the screenplay. In Order, the newcomer Michael Goldenberg worked solo . . . and it shows. His adaptation showcased some important character developments, for example: Ginny’s continued admiration of Harry. Also, in the book Dobby helped Harry find the Room of Requirement. In the movie Neville discovers the room. That’s not a such a bad thing since Dobby’s character makes fewer and fewer appearances while Neville eventually comes into his own.
Still, there were important elements completely jettisoned. Dumbledore and Harry’s heart-to-heart at the end. The revelation that Voldemort is half-possessing Harry was so powerful in the book, but in the movie was thrown away by Severus. And why did Cho have to be the one to turn in Dumbledore’s Army? C’mon! Goldenberg wrote a completely sideline plot just to cater to this changes. Also, when the DA is discovered by Dolores Umbridge, she manages to break into it. Number 1: you can’t break into the Room of Requirement. Number 2: Harry tries to do it throughout the Half Blood Princeand is unsuccessful . . . because it can’t be done. Allowing Umbridge to explode her way in was a poor choice.
Like I said, I’m a detailed critic when it comes to Harry Potter, and there are a number of other things I could say on the subject, but I want to leave you with this.
The Order of the Phoenixis one of the best Potter films to date. I bought it the day it came out and I don’t regret it. The confrontation between Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Harry is outstanding on every level, and the Triad of Potter (Harry, Ron, & Hermione) improve in their acting with every take.
Olsen’s Rating?
“A” for overall genius, acting, story, cinematography. They would have received an A+ if Goldenberg hadn’t gotten frisky with the script.
December 15, 2007 at 5:09 pm |
I couldn’t agree more about Gambon and the past directors. It’s made me sad that such a wonderful book series had such a rough time of transitioning into film.
I also agree that Order of the Phoenix was the best film of the bunch by far. However, it also really got uner my skin that Cho was the one to turn the DA in, and that Umbridge broke into the Room of Requirement!!! Grr!!!
December 15, 2007 at 5:32 pm |
“And why did Cho have to be the one to turn in Dumbledore’s Army? C’mon! Goldenberg wrote a completely sideline plot just to cater to this changes. Also, when the DA is discovered by Dolores Umbridge, she manages to break into it. Number 1: you can’t break into the Room of Requirement. Number 2: Harry tries to do it throughout the Half Blood Princeand is unsuccessful . . . because it can’t be done. Allowing Umbridge to explode her way in was a poor choice.”
-> In chapter 21 of Half-Blood Prince, Hermione says to Harry: “Malfoy already knew exactly how we (the DA) were using the room, didn’t he? Because that stupid Marietta had blabbed. He needed the room to become the headquarters of the DA. So it did. But you don’t know what the room becomes when Malfoy goes in there, so you don’t know what to ask it to transform into.”
Knowing this, you’ll find it made little to no difference if Marietta or Cho told what the room was used for, the fact that Umbridge knew the room’s purpose means she had the magical “rights” to discover it. The room’s magic also wanted certain protection against Umbridge, which is why she blasted her way through that protection. Perhaps not as subtle as Rowling would have preferred, but it looked good regardless I’d say.
One of the decrees in the books also stated that students may be questioned about suspicious activities, all that Goldenberg did was use this fact to let Cho ‘blab’ instead of Marietta.
It’s all based on what’s written in the books, just made shorter so it would fit in the movie.
December 20, 2007 at 9:36 am |
EAR… EAR!!!
But very well put i think you hit it on the head with every point you made…
And the person above me is wrong because the Goblet of fire summed things up very well and left hardly any questions at all… and it was 45 minutes longer than the Order
There is one simple truth: if steve cloves and rowling are not involved with the movie it is going to be horrible!!
but the only thing that saved the Order movie is David Yates and the improved acting by The Trio.
All i can say is thank god that Cloves is returning for the Prince it wouldnt be the same with out him.
December 23, 2007 at 2:45 am |
Ear, ear to you too Landon. It’s good to hear Cloves is returning! You made my day.
January 21, 2008 at 2:48 am |
Landon: How does that make me “wrong”? I posted lines that come literally from book 6 justifying said scène about the RoR, lines that they knew about I’m sure. How does that make me “wrong” considering Order did cover everything in the book as well as in 45 mins less by just acting on said information? Don’t even get me started on what they shifted around in Goblet to make things fit man, I’d be typing for over an hour.
I’ll give the original poster credit on Gambon though, Harris made him more playful and childlike which is conform to the books. Gambon made Dumbledore too stern.