Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Could have easily been a cash-in on name alone, but instead being a movie that delivers on both the emotional and action fronts.
Review by Sirus

WARNING: Because this film is the fifth in a series of seven movies, there will be some spoilers for previous movies as part of the initial plot summary.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is the fifth in what will eventually become a seven movie series chronicling the adventures of a young man named Harry Potter. The Harry Potter series, both in book and movie form, has garnered a massive following across the gamut of ages young and old. While some may find fault in the quality of writing in the books and some might not enjoy the movies, the fans have been true for years. Now the movies have reached the point where the fans who have stayed true for the first four movie installments in good and bad can enjoy an experience unlike any other. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” follows the exploits of Harry Potter as he attempts to make his way through the rigorous magical training at the Hogwarts school of magic. The story starts out with Harry’s summer break being interrupted by a frightening chain of events that reminds him what is at stake. Things seem to be going along smoothly, with Harry and his friends returning to their classes to start another session, until a representative from the ministry of magic decides to make a few changes to the way things are run at Hogwarts. In the mean time, Harry is struggling to get his classmates to believe that he truly saw Voldemort revived in the graveyard at the end of the last movie. In preparation for the likely upcoming battle that Harry and his friends must face, Harry starts teaching his fellow students magic in secret. Everything comes together in a fitting finale while at the same time leaving room for the eventual ending through the remaining two movies.

In the past few years, IMAX theaters have slowly started popping up. At first the IMAX theaters were simply an astoundingly loud and clear way to enjoy a select number of massive blockbusters. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” takes IMAX to the next level with a portion near the end, lasting about 30 minutes, which is presented in eye popping 3D. While the on-screen cue to the audience, flashing green glasses icons, is a little corny, the power of the 3D segment is immediately mind blowing. The movie’s climax is masterfully presented through the effect of 3D in a way that most audience members won’t soon forget. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” achieves a level of emotion that is a step above its predecessors and will have the audience spellbound for a good portion of the movie. The new director this time around has made the movie much more interspersed with magical wonders that excite the mind and ignite the senses. In a movie that could have easily been cash-in on name alone, it is nice to see such power presented in a movie that delivers on both the emotional and action fronts. Fans who have persevered through the first four movies and found themselves even marginally entertained, owe it to themselves to experience the IMAX 3D version if at all possible. “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” easily surpasses the previous four movies in all aspects possible and is arguably as good as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Final Score: 5/5