In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth

year at Hogwarts. As the characters grow and enter adolescence, the story
too grows more sinister. The plot becomes murky as Harry is ostracised by
his peers and tormented by his new Defence against the Dark Arts
teacher, Dolores Umbridge.
The Ministry of Magic refuses to accept the glaringly obvious return of Lord
Voldemort and accuses Harry and Dumbledore of spreading fear.
Frustrated by the lack of proper guidance, the Golden Trio decide to take
matters into their own hands. Guided by Harry Potter, a group of students
start an association by the name of Dumbledores Army to train
themselves against the inevitable war that lies ahead of them.
Parallel to this story, a second storyline unfolds. Harry Potter struggles
with the growing presence of Lord Voldemort in his mind. Lord Voldemort
has gained considerable power and is using Occlumency to control Harry.
Additionally, Harrys adolescent urge to be treated like an adult widens the
void between him and his well-wishers.
Voldemort strikes by planting a false image of Sirius being kidnapped in
Harrys mind. Harry runs to save his godfather, resulting in an epic, yet
comically directed battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore. The movie
ends with Sirius tragic death and the unearthing of a crucial piece of the
puzzle. Dumbledore tells Harry about the prophecy which is responsible for
his parents death. It states that neither can live while the other survives,
which they take to mean that Harry is to be the saviour of the Wizarding
World.
The film has been well directed with a gloomy soundtrack and a dark
colour palette. However, the scenes seem to jump randomly as Yates
struggles to cram the longest Harry Potter book into a 2 hour movie.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly) have evolved as actors. The wonderful
performances by Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Alan Rickman (Severus
Snape) and Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) sufficiently cover up for the flaws
and hitches in the adaptation. The grand finale, which is the epic
showdown between Dumbledore and Voldemort is exaggerated and
slightly comical.
During the film, we find ourselves detesting Harry. Harrys previous battle
with Voldemort and Cedric Diggorys death has somehow caused him to
develop an inflated ego and a God complex. He has shed his innocence. As
Harry is trivialised and tortured, he further pushes his friends away.
According to me, it is in this film that Harry craves for a parent the most.
Thus he heavily depends on his godfather, Sirius. Harry has a difficult
choice to make. He can either chose to succumb to Voldemorts will and
serve Voldemort, or he can try to fight Voldemort off. Harry manages to
resist the temptation of power. He realises that Voldemort will never know
love and friendship and overcomes his dark phase.

Sirius Black is one of my favourite characters in the movie. A carefree

man, he is Harrys only family. Sirius plays one of the most crucial roles in
this film. He is Harrys father, brother, guide, best friend and confidante.
Consequentially, the audience forms a deep bond with him. Sirius loves
Harry sincerely. However, he sometimes forgets that Harry is but a child.
He mistakes Harry for James, Harrys father and his dead best friend. Sirius
Blacks death is truly heart wrenching. We find ourselves shocked over the
abrupt end of Harry and Sirius relationship.
According to me, Harrys isolation results in Ron and Hermione having very
small roles in this film. They are unrealistically patient with Harrys
tantrums and bear the brunt of his frustrations. Nevertheless, they stick by
him and support him.
Dolores Umbridge is arguably the most detested character in the series.
Even more so than the main antagonist Voldemort. Umbridge is the
symbol of corrupt authority. She is a pompous woman, who comes across
as rather silly and oblivious. However, behind the pink dresses and the
squeaky voice lies a truly evil person. She tortures student for voicing their
opinions and rewards the students who follow her words blindly.
It is a little known fact that Voldemorts rise to power was intended to
depict Hitlers rise to power. This movie depicts the portion of Hitlers rise
to power when the Jews were sidelined from society. The Ministrys
unwillingness to face the truth is sad portrayal of power today.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a film that lulls the audience
into a pensive and dark mood but enchants them all the same. Although it
lacks the humour and innocence of its predecessors it manages to retain
the enchantment and the audiences attention. Harry Potter and the Order
of the Phoenix is an important link in the Harry Potter series and a mustwatch for the lovers of the magical world of Hogwarts.