Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

Not sure if this is some crazy hot take, because I looked of some movie rating lists and this is always near the bottom, but this is easily the best one yet! First one I have been able to watch in a single sitting, and I was completely engaged the whole time.

A big part is what I mentioned last movie. The bad guy is back and looms large over the whole movie, but they don't over use him. That's where Umbridge comes in. She serves as a perfect villain for the movie, and she is so perfectly portrayed. The odds really feel against Harry in this one and it makes the arc of the movie so much more satisfying.

I also think this is just a better written movie than any of the others. The scenes are longer, with less snappy dialogue and more thought out interactions. Probably helps that the actors are older and more mature and getting better, but as a movie it felt so much more complete than the others. Some great arcs with Sirius, Umbridge, the lessons with Snape, every scene feels important to the story.

I still think there is some weird explaining stuff they choose not to do. For instance, we haven't seen any other Weasleys, and I know Percy is important in this book. So when a red headed guy working for the ministry shows up in a key moment, I'm like, oh its Percy. But the characters don't acknowledge it, and that would be impossible not to acknowledge in the moment. So its like some weird Easter egg for people that have read the books, but just takes me out of the movie.

While I still have complaints, this was by far the most enjoyable movie of the series so far. Also the shortest of the series so far. Maybe that's no coincidence.