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DVD eases entrance into ‘Order of Phoenix’
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by Sarah Probst
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Rising from the ashes of the series finale in July, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is now available on DVD for all Rowling fans yearning for a cinematic fix of their favorite boy-now-turned-teen wizard. The film focuses on Harry's battle against an unforgiving, unfriendly wizarding world, as well as the growing darkness inside him. Still, not all is doom and gloom in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" — a slew of lighthearted special features adds a little magic to the film's dark tone.
From the very ominous beginning of "Order of the Phoenix," young Harry's world seems to be in more disarray than usual. Within the first several minutes, he and his cousin are attacked by soul-sucking Dementors, which eventually results in Harry's temporary expulsion from Hogwarts. To make matters worse, the Ministry of Magic has begun a slanderous campaign, converting many of Harry's previous allies into skeptical enemies. Still, the former hero's abysmal situation only gets worse when he learns Voldemort, the most evil wizard of all time, has begun to invade Harry's psyche through the scar permanently burned into the young wizard's forehead. In general, Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts is far less magical and lighthearted than his first four, an aspect Potter-film loyalists have used to discredit the film's quality.
Despite the film's generally dark, depressing and introspective theme, "Order of the Phoenix" is a quality film. In fact, it's quite good. The grainy cinematography during Harry's summer stay at the Dursleys' captures the futility of life at No. 4 Privet Drive, as well as the conspiratorial tone of the first Dumbledore's Army meeting at the Hog's Head Inn. This cinematic adaptation also neatly diminishes Harry's incessant whining in the novel while still depicting the wizard's struggle with the dark force that grows within him.
Perhaps most striking about this particular cinematic adaptation, though, are the battle scenes, most notably the wand fight between Dumbledore and Voldemort. Continuous shots of magical lightning bolts, a towering waterfall of shattered glass and an electric hiss fill the Ministry of Magic's main lobby as both wizards battle for Harry's soul. Impressive and exciting wand wars like this set "Order of the Phoenix" from the four previous Potter films, giving this fifth film into a more thrilling and ultimately more mature role.
Still, the most exciting portion of the "Order of the Phoenix" Special Edition DVD lies in the disc's special features. Although bonus scenes offer little more than additional camera angles and a humorous clip of Professor Trelawney's bumbling mannerisms, other bonus features like the studio tour "Trailing Tonks" or the nearly hourlong "The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter" allow viewers to delve deeper into the world of Potter. But the best additional feature, "Harry Potter: The Magic of Editing," allows viewers young and old to create their own cinematic magic by mixing a short film clip with audio tracks and background.
The film version of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" shows the world that its favorite boy wizard has begun his journey into manhood. Striking fight scenes and a pervading theme of despair and choice highlight the descent into darkness as Voldemort begins his control of the wizarding world and even Harry's psyche. Still, fans of the first four Potter films' fantastical nature need not be discouraged — the behind-the-scenes glimpses and unique film production features of "Order of the Phoenix" add enough whimsy to please even the lightest of hearts and the strongest of Potter enthusiasts.
3 stars out of 5
Anonymous (December 18, 2007 @ 4:26pm):
Reminds me of 1980 music video, ashes to ashes.
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