Photo from http://www.imdb.com

I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Midtown last night . As avid reader of the books, the movies often disappoint me. Leaving out important bits, while putting in non-existent Hollywood scenes, changing the characters, changing the maze in Goblet of Fire, etc. But despite the fact that the 5th book is the longest yet, this movie captures the spirit of the story and its characters.

The Order of the Phoenix is possibly the most frustrating Harry Potter book to read, largely because of the character Umbridge. I thought the movie did a great job of showing how terrible a teacher and a person this character is, complete with her ugly cartigans and kitten obsession. Actress Evanna Lynch does a beautiful job in the role Luna Lovegood, conveying Luna’s insight as well as oddness. When I read the book, I had actually pictured Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange and am happy director David Yates agreed. She played a very frightening and crazy Bella (a little crazier than maybe I’d imagined), and my only disappointment was her slightly smaller movie role. Of course, Alan Rickman continues to impress me as Snape.

All in all, the movie reflected the nature of the story very well. Of course, I did miss out on a couple parts in the book that didn’t happen in the movie (why did they take out the floating brains?) and I do think Harry should have showed the full extent of his anger (by smashing Dumbledore’s possessions). But I came out of the movie content and excited for the book release on Friday!

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