Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Director: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Runtime: 138 minutes

Synopsis: Harry and Dumbledore's warnings about Voldemort's return are not taken seriously by the Ministry of Magic, leading both parties to take drastic measures. 

Performances: 8/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Special Effects: 7/10
Costumes/Makeup: 10/10
Editing: 7/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10

Verdict: (SPOILERS AHEAD!) "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the first film in the franchise to be directed by David Yates, who has been in charge of it ever since. Prior to that project, the British director never helmed something of that magnitude, and the fact that he pulled it off the way he did is an incredible achievement. I can safely say that Yates' directorial style, which is close to Cuaron's, is the one I found to work best with the series. The greyish blue color palette sets up a tone that immediately tells the audience that the next entries in the franchise are only going to get darker. A decision I admire, since Lord Voldemort's comeback has now changed the game forever. It's a changed Harry Potter that is featured in this film. Voldemort's return and Cedric's death filled him with anger and to some extent, hate. The fact that no one believes him, and that the ministery appointed Dolores Umbridge (played by an excellent Imelda Staunton, who made sure that the audience absolutely hates her character) as the new DADA teacher didn't help either. He feels betrayed by his friends (Seamus), and Cho, the girl he shared his first kiss with and who sold him out to Umbridge. All of this was beautifully shown by Daniel Radcliffe, who in my opinion gives his first great performance in this movie. Radcliffe is not the only actor to shine in this movie, though. Every member of Dumbledore's Army, from the recurrent Neville Longbottom to the newcomer Luna Lovegood, all gave character-defining performances. Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort and Michael Gambon as Dumbledore were also great, but that should come as no surprise. However, the two characters I absolutely adored in this film are Alan Rickman's Snape, of whom we see for the first time a glimpse of his past and interactions with James Potter, and Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange, who is given the second best introduction of a character after Voldemort's. After escaping from Azkaban, she kills Sirius Black right before Harry's eyes, causing him to use the Cruciatus curse on her. This all leads to a showdown between the two most powerful wizards of their generations: Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort. And yes, it's absolutely glorious. The whole battle at the Ministry is both emotionally and visually powerful, and I loved every second of it. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" works incredibly well, and acts as a great link between the films that feature Voldemort in his true form and the ones that don't.

Final Grade: 8/10