Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I have to say this, I am good with my predictions. I saw the movie today, and it does get a 4/10 as I predicted.

My opinion might be biased considering I have read the book and have loved each word that’s written. The movie starts off comparitively well but loses the depth of the original plot as it progresses. There are so many changes that have been made right from little ones like the trio meeting Luna Lovegood on the carriage instead of the train, Luna giving Harry his lesson on Thestrals instead of Hagrid and the way 12 Grimmauld Place appears, to huge ones like Cho betraying the D.A. instead of Marietta and Harry listening to the prophecy in front of all his friends in the Department of Mysteries instead of Dumbledore telling him everything later on. In fact I was really looking forward to watching the scene with Dumbledore.

Also, there is no Quidditch in the movie (unless you count the little flashback from Movie 1).

Ron and Hermione are ever-present but it looked as if their role had shrunk. Ginny and Lupin have been sidelined. St. Mungo’s has not been shown at all.

Imelda Staunton is pretty convincing as Dolores Umbridge. Also I have to say I loved the scene where the Weasley twins leave Hogwarts wreaking havoc all over the place.

Coming to the most ‘anticipated’ part of the movie: The overhyped kiss lingers too long and it’s definitely not as innocent as described in the book. What troubles me is, the people behind the movie have given more screen time to a stupid kiss and a variety of other unimportant scenes instead of focussing on those which are important to the plot as a whole. I could give you the example of the last few chapters of the book specially ‘The Lost Prophecy’.

I agree that reducing a 700+ pages book to a 100 page script is a tough job, but The Lord of the Rings scored, didn’t it?

Anyway, this time next week I’ll have already read the 7th book and you’re going to get a shining review.