Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Claire The Karma Whore
Well it’s been a while since I graced the pages of t’donkeys with one of my reviews. And you have missed me haven’t you?? I have never reviewed a Harry Potter film before, which is odd considering that I’m a massive fan. But after viewing it yesterday, and getting in what can only be described as a proper fat sulk, I felt the need to voice my opinion.
A delightful insight into life with her majesty....
There has always been mixed opinion on the book. I always adored Order of the Phoenix. Fantastic characters, good plot, and enough wizarding to keep the die hards happy, so I never really saw the need for criticism. Let’s face it J.K Rowling will never win any litery awards, but if your looking for page – turning fun, suitable for the whole family, then you cant go wrong with this series of books. There is something very very British about the Potter books. They are on par with the British weather, it’s one of those subjects you find yourself chatting to strangers about at bus stops, well I do anyway…….
So, armed with my pic n mix, the boy and I took our seats, full of glorious anticipation, only to be subjected to the biggest massacring of a Harry Potter book to date. What was wrong with it? Let me tell you………
Possibly the cutest darn witch in the world
The book centres on The Order of the Phoenix, a group of wizarding folk whose aim is to take on, and beat Lord Voldermort. The group consists of some of the best characters Rowling has ever created, Lupin, Mad Eye Moody, Tonks, and Sirius Black to name a few. Based at 12 Grimmauld place, a magical house hidden behind normal muggle residences, there should have been plotting and laughs a plenty. But there wasn’t. Now I understand the need to cut certain aspects out, given that Phoenix is the longest book to date, if it had been done in its entirety, the film would be about 7 hours long. But given the name of the film/book is Order of the Phoenix, you would figure the Order itself would feature a lot more than it actually does.
A group of teenagers and not a hoodie in sight, it's a bloody miracle...
The plot has been stripped down to the basics; characters like Tonks, Mad Eye are in it for mere minutes, which in all honestly made my blood boil. There’s not enough emphasis on the Order, and too much emphasis on Delores Umbridge taking over at Hogwarts. Admittedly Imelda Staunton shines as Umbridge, but it took away too much from other aspects and took over the film, to be fair, there were some wonderful performances, Radcliffe himself gets better every film, and the youngsters really did steal the show this time around, with Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley and Evanna Lynch as “Loony” Luna Lovegood standing out.
I can’t help feeling though, that screenwriter Michael Goldenberg (He did Contact with Jodie Foster – nuff said) Has gone a bit too Hollywood with this one, hoping that the special effects will hide the lack of plot. Two films would have been better, extravagant and hard work yes, but they have the money, and the resources, so rather than treat us fans like idiots, and expect us to blindly accept second rate offerings. Do it justice, and make twice as much money. Everyone’s a winner!!
I WILL be dreaming of doing rude things to this lady for a very long time
If you haven’t read the book, you will love it, if you have read the book, and believe Hogwarts really exists like me, then go, but take something to throw at the screen and remember the name Michael Goldenberg. If he has a pet, I’m going to kidnap it, until I get an apology.
Lose Everything?? Like my keys??
I’d just like to quote the wicked John Lydon and say “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”