Review: Darker, scarier themes and growing wizards give “Order of the Phoenix” wings
By Courtney Lear
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/11/07 — The midnight shows for “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” brought in $12 million, setting the record for a Wednesday opening midnight run. And midnight was appropriate as this is a darker, scarier Potter than the previous Warner Bros. offerings.
Harry Potter fanatics from miles around flocked to Grahams Chinese Theatre at midnight last night to be the first to see Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, in theatres today.
Some in capes with wands brandished, others in the complete Hogwarts school uniform, fans filed in past the foot, hand, and wand prints of stars Daniel Ratcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson immortalized in cement on Sunday at the red carpet premiere.
While once there was worry of the young stars growing out of their roles this Potter installation proved that they are instead growing into them. No longer the little mop topped wizards of “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” Harry, Hermione and Ron have much more adult issues to tackle this time around.
Not only is there the looming threat of Lord Voldemort on the loose but an overbearing Ministry of Magic (with eerie political illusions to the iron fist of the conservative right) is threatening their defense education while wizardry war is in the air.
For Harry in particular the transformation is clear. While dealing with massive internal conflict he must step up as a leader to his fellow students. But luckily his maturation is not all doom and gloom. Little Harry Potter also gets kissed. And not just a cute on-screen peck, we’re talking a full 30 second make out sesh, though there wasn’t any clear tongue involved.
In “Order of The Phoenix” the lines between good and evil are drawn evermore clear. Dazzling special effects highlight the climactic fight scenes and mystical CGI characters from giants to centaurs highlight Phoenix’s eerie, mystical charm.
The result is a magically dark chapter in the series leaving you wondering where the silver screen will take our hero next.
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