Bigtime Thumbs Down: Harry Potter V

Japanese cover of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I did not like the move version of The Order of the Phoenix. Maybe it was the fact that the waltzy John Williams' theme used in the earlier films was not that present. (I do like waltzes.) Maybe it was the fact that the broom flight from Little Whinging to Grimmauld Place was so low to the ground and obviously exposed to random Muggle and Death Eater eyes (I was surprised JK Rowling let this one "fly"). Maybe it was the fact that this big scene had all the hallmarks of a cheesy advert for ye old London town (I was surprised that Harry and his guard did not swoop through "The Eye" or make a pitstop on the hands of Big Ben). The fact that it was accompanied by the most BORING music possible made it completely intolerable.

There was just no spark in this movie. The DA practice scenes were as tired and dull as Rocky's workout. In contrast to the overzealous faithfulness of the first two movies, this movie varied too much from the book in several key plot areas to be forgivable. (Blasting your way into the Room of Requirement! As if.)

The script also seemed really limp and hollow. The snappy wit of JK Rowling's dialogue from the book just wasn't there. The sappiness of the final moments of the film were almost unbearable. I felt so sorry for Daniel Radcliffe for having to utter such drecky lines. I held my tongue when I saw this movie last summer in the theater but I must let it out after a second attempt to watch it on DVD. HP and the OTP (the movie) is a monumental stinker.

Maybe the next three films will be better. Frankly, I am not that hopeful. I personally think that Alfonso Cuaron's masterful version of Book 3, The Prisoner of Azkaban, is going to remain the best movie of the lot. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix proves the point that it is always better to read the book.

I like actually like this version better than Warner Brothers'. At least it is amusing. This Harry Potter parody is from the activist group, Walmart Watch.