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Amazon.co.uk Review
While many movie franchises slide as they reach their later instalments, the Harry Potter films just keep getting better. The latest, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is easily the darkest of the series to date, and it’s also one of the best. For while it could easily have been little more than a holding film to set up the big encounters to come in the last two instalments of the series, it’s to the credit of British director David Yates that the end result is really very good.
It finds Harry coming under suspicion from his wizarding colleagues, who don’t believe his claims that the evil Lord Voldermort has returned. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix thus finds its title character on the backfoot for much of its running time, with a select band who firmly believe his story, and very powerful figures who don’t.
Where the movie of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix excels though is in its three trump cards. Number one is a far tighter script than we’re used to with Potter films, which, combined with trump card number two--the aforementioned David Yates behind the camera--cuts much of the slavish loyalty to the text away in favour of a film with real momentum. The third, and best, card though is the casting of Imelda Staunton as Professor Dolores Umbridge, who simply flies away with every scene she’s in. It’s a superb performance, and the film is poorer whenever she’s not on screen.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is not a film without a few problems, certainly: it’s a fair criticism that not too much actually happens, and one or two bits feel superfluous. But it overrides its problems with ease, to emerge as a compelling, highly enjoyable family film, which will leave you salivating for the Christmas 2008 release of movie number six in the series. --Simon Brew
Synopsis
Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts and discovers that much of the wizarding community has been denied the truth about his recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort. Fearing that Hogwarts' venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about Voldemort's return in order to undermine his power and take his job, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students.
But Professor Dolores Umbridge's Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.
But Professor Dolores Umbridge's Ministry-approved course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces threatening them and the entire wizarding community, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry takes matters into his own hands. Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army," Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film carries on the traditions of the previous installments. This review isn't here to criticise the film as a piece of storytelling...it's one of my favourites so far.
The problem I have is with the DVD itself, this is by far the worst quality DVD picture I have seen in a very long time. Since Warner Bros have produced consistently high quality DVD discs (all the previous Harry Potter films for example) I can only assume the worst possible reason...that the disc quality has been deliberately down-graded so people might convert to an HD format.
This isn't necessary, HD formats are very high quality and everyone knows it.
There is severe artifacting around edges, pixelization in areas of contrast (such as highlights on faces etc) and some heavy moire on parallel lines. Add to this the constant sharp/smooth shifting on the picture and you have a very poor viewing experience.
This is not me being an AV-Phile...these faults are blatent and you will be seriously disappointed with the disc. If you think this is nonsense, buy the disc...watch it and compare it to another of the 'darker' Harry Potter films such as Azkaban or Goblet of Fire. It's quality doesn't even stand up next to the very first DVD release of the Philosopher's Stone.
To the film's storytellers - Great Work....to Warner Bros for allowing such a poor quality transfer - Bad Form and not at all professional. Do you really think that by lowering the product quality of the current-generation format you can convince everyone to switch over to an HD format you support?
The problem I have is with the DVD itself, this is by far the worst quality DVD picture I have seen in a very long time. Since Warner Bros have produced consistently high quality DVD discs (all the previous Harry Potter films for example) I can only assume the worst possible reason...that the disc quality has been deliberately down-graded so people might convert to an HD format.
This isn't necessary, HD formats are very high quality and everyone knows it.
There is severe artifacting around edges, pixelization in areas of contrast (such as highlights on faces etc) and some heavy moire on parallel lines. Add to this the constant sharp/smooth shifting on the picture and you have a very poor viewing experience.
This is not me being an AV-Phile...these faults are blatent and you will be seriously disappointed with the disc. If you think this is nonsense, buy the disc...watch it and compare it to another of the 'darker' Harry Potter films such as Azkaban or Goblet of Fire. It's quality doesn't even stand up next to the very first DVD release of the Philosopher's Stone.
To the film's storytellers - Great Work....to Warner Bros for allowing such a poor quality transfer - Bad Form and not at all professional. Do you really think that by lowering the product quality of the current-generation format you can convince everyone to switch over to an HD format you support?
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having seen this film at the cinema, which just made it all the more enjoyable, I understood why the reviewers had said....much darker than the others....yes it was, not so much scary, although for younger viewers it may have had its moments but on the whole it took Harry and friends to a different level...a more adult level, with lots of enjoyable sarcasm between characters. The effects are amazing and really make you get 'into' the film with the characters and leave you clinging to the edges of your seat, wondering whats going to happen next.
I will buy this on dvd, as I have all the others and still find them amazing to watch over and over...this will definitely be my favourite!
Roll on numbers six and seven......If you've got kids or are yourself a very big kid like me, buy it for christmas...you wont be dissapointed!
I will buy this on dvd, as I have all the others and still find them amazing to watch over and over...this will definitely be my favourite!
Roll on numbers six and seven......If you've got kids or are yourself a very big kid like me, buy it for christmas...you wont be dissapointed!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I strongly strongly recommend you read the book before watching the film. That goes for the whole series but particularly for this one because this film does not do the book justice. In terms of film quality though this is very impressive, hence the 4* rating. They miss plotlines out which is of course expected but I believe this is the longest book and the shortest film which was a silly choice in my opinion. It flew by dreadfully fast, the first 6 chapters all happened in the space of 15 mins. I wonder if I had not read the book beforehand how much of this film I would understand - not very much I think as the film jumps around.
The biggest plus for this film is that it is visually spectacular, particularly the firework display and the film climax. I was impressed with Evanna Lynch, newcomer, and Daniel Radcliffe who has come on in leaps and bounds since the first film, this is the first time in my opinion when his acting can't be described as shaky. However, Michael Gambon has not read the books and as a result hasn't got Dumbledore quite right, he's supposed to be the height of calm, and polite - the perfect gentleman and headteacher, and he snapped at the students in this one!
In conclusion, this is a great family film but please read the books before watching, or at least watch the series in the correct order!
The biggest plus for this film is that it is visually spectacular, particularly the firework display and the film climax. I was impressed with Evanna Lynch, newcomer, and Daniel Radcliffe who has come on in leaps and bounds since the first film, this is the first time in my opinion when his acting can't be described as shaky. However, Michael Gambon has not read the books and as a result hasn't got Dumbledore quite right, he's supposed to be the height of calm, and polite - the perfect gentleman and headteacher, and he snapped at the students in this one!
In conclusion, this is a great family film but please read the books before watching, or at least watch the series in the correct order!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wizard gift!
I struggled to source this particular DVD in the HP series for my granddaughter's birthday present, and eventually was able to purchase this one via Amazon. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Mrs. J. Holliday
Excellent, timley service!
Thanks for getting this item to me quickly and for guaranteeing it's great quality and price. I would recommend you any time.
Published 3 months ago by Paul McFarling
DVD
Its Harry Potter so a great film. I was unable to purchase this in my local store so was thrilled when I found it on here. It arrived quickly and in good condition Thank you
Published 4 months ago by treaoney
harry potter
the movie is not really like the book but there is enough in the movie to keep u watching to the end
Published 6 months ago by andre
HP's
Found the DVD o.k. but was concerned about the quality as it had come loose from it fastening arrangement within the casing.
Luckily everthing was o.k and enjoyed the DVD.
Luckily everthing was o.k and enjoyed the DVD.
Published 7 months ago by Four Eyes
FANTASTIC
Fantastic film, had read the book and when I was watching the film I was convinced I had seen it already (I hadn't it was just so well portrayed against the book!). Read more
Published 7 months ago by Wizzy
Harry Potter and the Order Of The phoenix
DVD received in good order,What can i say the film is great as are all the others,read the book now have seen the film,
Published 8 months ago by S. K. Hawkins
Seriously Underated!
This is my favourite Harry Potter film out of all 8. (although, I must admit - I think it shares the top spot with Deathly Hallows Part 2. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Benlroberts
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
This is a very entertaining film which definatley lives up to it's 4 predecessors! The Duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort is probably the best part of the film. Read more
Published 9 months ago by James
Not good
I tried 3 times to order my item, address was correct . Have ordered lots of things from elsewhere and they all came just fine. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Remmey
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