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Harry Potter Review: The Good, the Bad, the Muggley
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
For reasons only Hollywood bean counters know, Tokyo hosted the world premiere of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and to hear the Times of London tell it, the franchise's fifth entry is somewhat burdened by its "crueller" subject matter. As the stage begins to be set for the ultimate loggerhead between good and evil and action-filled screen time gives way to mere intrigue, "Some will find that tedious," opines the Times. That said, the film properly paves the way for "an epic confrontation with real victims."
The Times review takes issue with the younger stars' chops — "[Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint] have 'angry' and 'determined' down pat... but struggle somewhat on the the more nuanced grimaces" — yet hails the cred lent by adult thesps Imelda Staunton and Helena Bonham Carter ("a shining but underused talent").
All told, the Times suspects that Potterphiles currently enduring the "unbearable" wait for the final book's printing may deem this "otherwise enjoyable film" to be "a chore to be got through before the main course."
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Jul 2, 2007 4:06 PM
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They're playing teenagers - what do the critics expect?
I still can't to see it. Plus, it will make waiting for the book easier!
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Jul 2, 2007 4:15 PM
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It's not surprising that the critics would have issues with the movie, but I can't wait to see it. Even though none of the movies can live up to the books themselves, this should still be a pretty good one. I'm especially excited to see how they worked with the darker material.
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Jul 2, 2007 4:18 PM
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Do the British critics ever like anything? Seriously, I go to the movies to be entertained, not to be given some deep, complex message I have to muddle through or to see actors struggling through their parts because they are not capable of handing them.
I think these kids have done a fine job throughout the series and critics need to step back and consider are there any other kids in a series of movies over a decade period who have turned in consistent performances? I am not talking TV show, I am talking films where the time together is limited.
I am looking forward to all the installments of Harry Potter.
And remember, no one ever ruined a good book with their movie version of it. The books will live on forever.
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Jul 2, 2007 9:34 PM
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Here, here! What TVDiva said.
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Jul 2, 2007 9:57 PM
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I'll probably really like it then. When critics diss a movie those usually become my favorites.
 I'm perverse that way.
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Jul 3, 2007 11:06 AM
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I love the books & I love all the movies! I can't wait to see the movie - they are kids what do the critics want. They don't have the training that most actors have because they haven't been around that long. I think everyone does a fabulous job.
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Jul 3, 2007 11:30 AM
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I agree with Tv Diva. Critics, like much of society today, over analyze movies looking for something offensive and/or just to be negative. I do not pay critics any attention when I already enjoy a subject matter. HAIL HARRY!
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Jul 3, 2007 11:44 AM
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OMG! I can't wait!
I just got my tickets to see it in IMAX. Regardless of critics, I'm going to LOVE it!
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Jul 3, 2007 2:13 PM
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I can't wait to see the movie & buy the 7th & final book. I have enjoyed all of the movies (some more than others) & have completely LOVED all of the books. I completely agree with tvdiva!
LOL LuvGems!
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Jul 3, 2007 2:24 PM
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I totally agree with killerhook. The books are indeed better than the films. However, they are all good. I do not understand what the critics want from teenagers. Most of them do not go on to become adult actors in the first place. For every Jodie Foster, there is a Haley Joel Osment or Macauley Culken. I still await the day I can see the new movie which will only whet my appetite more for the climax of the series.
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Jul 3, 2007 3:00 PM
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I saw it yesterday at an advance screening in Philadelphia. It was fantastic! Trust me, you will want to see it again and again.
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Jul 3, 2007 3:08 PM
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Order of the Phoenix is my least favorite of the books, so it doesn't surprise me that critics don't think as highly of this movie as they maybe do of the others. But the information in this book/movie is very vital to the overall story. The thing I'm having a problem with, with the movies is that each one seems to lose more and more the feel of magic in it. I just watched the first movie last night and I so loved the magic feel and look of that movie. From the trailers I've seen of Order, all I see is dark and black. I'm hoping for more than just that.
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Jul 3, 2007 3:34 PM
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Well, since I've always found the action and the lighter school sequences to be the less fascinating parts of the previous films (they're fun, sure, but the real meat of the film is Harry and his group growing up and getting ready to face Voldemort), I'm really excited that this film is darker, crueler and focuses more on intrigue than on action.
It sounds fantastic, actually. I've read several reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and they're generally pretty positive.
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Jul 3, 2007 4:23 PM
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Whoever said a bad movie never ruined a good book obviously never saw Stanley Kubrick's abominable adaptation of The Shining. Kubrick is (was) probably my all-time favorite film director, and Stephen King is among my favorite authors, but those two wound up mixing like bottled water and battery acid. The funny part is that those who watch the film without reading the book almost universally hold the former in high regard. I can enjoy the film also, mostly for Jack's tour de force, but it very badly missed the target on the book. Oh, just to keep this post semi-on-topic, the HP books are great and the films are critic-proof.
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Jul 3, 2007 9:26 PM
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