sitemap
FOLLOW SNITCHSEEKER:

Email Us!

Members

There are 1121 users online including...
Ryanov , turiskArtib , Stevendalo

5 members
1116 guests.

Members in Chat:



If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > Daily Prophet (News) > SnitchSeeker Reviews


SnitchSeeker Reviews You'll find all the latest reviews here, covering all aspects of the Potter fandom.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 07-10-2007, 11:20 PM
EmmaRiddle EmmaRiddle is offline
 
Post SnitchSeeker Order of the Phoenix review #1 (spoiler-free)

On June 21st I had the great pleasure of attending a press screening of Order of the Phoenix. Since then I've had to sit on this review, for fear of incurring the wrath of WB. But with the film being released today in the U.S. I can finally reveal to you all what I thought of it.

P.S: It's spoiler-free so it won't ruin the experience of watching the film.

P.P.S: Expect a further two reviews from Imi and Laurie very soon!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Voldemort is back, yet Harry is stuck in Surrey with the Dursley’s, cut off from the wizarding community. His world is turned upside down when he and his cousin are attacked by dementors, and Harry soon finds himself being whisked to London, where he encounters the Order of the Phoenix (a group of witches & wizards working against Voldemort) and is put on trial for using magic in the presence of a muggle. When Harry eventually returns to school, he finds that despite everything that happened the previous year, not everyone believes you-know-who is back, thanks to the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and the Daily Prophet newspaper. Fights with his peers, however, are the least of his problems as Dolores Umbridge, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, unleashes her reign of terror upon the school, prompting the children to form the rebellious Dumbledore’s Army. Alliances are made and broken, and Harry and Co. are tricked into going to the Ministry of Magic, where a battle ensues, secrets are discovered and sacrifices are made. And on top of all that, Harry gets his first kiss. Potter has finally grown up.

Order of the Phoenix, the fifth Harry Potter film in the franchise, and only the second to be helmed by a British director, is unique in the sense that for the first time the lines between fantasy and reality become truly blurred.

The fourth sequel is real, from its performances, to its sets, from its costumes to its cinematography, from its music to its hair & make-up. Despite being set in a wizarding world, Yates ensures that the narrative remains engrained with a gritty realism, paralleling, rather fittingly, the environment in which we currently live.

An issue every new director to the series encounters is the problem of transferring the novel to the screen. None has had it tougher than Yates, who had to tackle with the largest Harry Potter book to date. As most fans can and do appreciate, the two are very different mediums; there are certain things in the novels which just won’t work on screen. Furthermore, sacrifices have to be made, in the name of keeping the circulation going in the backsides of audiences everywhere.

Yates gets around this problem by utilising montages throughout the film, to convey Umbridge’s reign of terror, the D.A.’s (Dumbledore’s Army) rebellion and most touchingly, Harry’s impetus for living to fight another day. To further progress the narrative, the Daily Prophet is also used equally successfully. It is decisions such as these, those small touches, which demonstrate why David Yates is the best Potter director to have played in the world so far. Five stories in, it will be inevitably harder to keep the attention of that mass audience. So steeped in back-story, it would be quite easy to lose the viewers amongst it all. However this possibility is averted through the clever use multiple flash and throwbacks.

As with every instalment, the acting once again kicks up a notch, in regards to the not-so-kidlike child actors. However, it is Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), newcomer to the series, who really stands out. Her performance is both amusing and heartfelt, and despite her limited screen time, Lynch really makes you love Luna. She seems so effortless and natural, qualities which every Potter fan can value – Lynch knows Luna inside out and back to front.

In the adult camp, it is Imelda Staunton (Umbridge) who really shines as the wicked Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. With a character as seemingly ludicrous as she, it would be very easy for an actor to go too far, but fortunately Staunton, whose attitudes and mannerisms in the role rather resemble a one Margaret Thatcher, pitches it perfectly. Umbridge appears to be a grandmotherly figure, but beneath the surface bubbles a woman who is clearly unstable, yet entirely believes that her methods of discipline and teaching are for the common good. With that in mind, rather than simply hate, you grow to feel sorry for the deranged woman. It is to both Staunton and Yates’ credit that they have managed to create a character that goes above and beyond the two-dimensional caricature of typical children’s villains.

Whilst Hogwarts is magical, there is as ever the presence of teenage angst, lest it be forgotten that the academy is also a high school. There is a definite feeling of young manly testosterone being thrown about, and there are gentle hints at future relationships – Ron/Hermione and Harry/Ginny – as well as indications that there may be more to come from a certain witch. The biggest theme of them all though, is the foreboding feeling of isolation which Harry experiences, both that which comes organically and the kind he attempts to force on himself. Fortunately the other major player, love, in the form of friendship, wins out as a strength rather than a weakness.

Order of the Phoenix has its fair share of vast and impressive set pieces – the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts & Grimmauld Place – however it is the character moments which the film will be remembered for. Those small nuances, the slight gestures, that all add up to create a more believable set of characters, which not only hold the narrative together, but also enrich it, moving you to genuinely care about them. In particular, the performances of; Alan Rickman, who creates a more human Snape, Jason Isaacs, who exudes elegance and seduction as Lucius Malfoy, Helena Bonham-Carter who portrays Bellatrix Lestrange as a woman teetering on the edge of insanity and Gary Oldman whose pseudo-relationship with Harry, as Sirius Black, manages to be incredibly touching but also unhealthy and ominous.

The climax of the film is spectacular – for the first time we get to see a proper wizarding battle. For this Yates has pulled out all the stops, even going so far as to hire a choreographer to invent different ways of casting spells. But it is the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort that really stands above and beyond the rest. This clash, which fans have waited for with baited breath, is everything it promised to be and more. The two heavyweights go head to head in a duel which knocks all wand fights out of the water.

It should also be noted that Daniel Radcliffe, as Harry, has come a tremendous way from the wide-eyed star-struck 11 year old we first encountered in Philosopher’s Stone. Whilst Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione) have naturally grown too, it is Dan who comes on in leaps and bounds, to deliver a complex performance that will no doubt leave many intrigued as to what he will achieve beyond the world of Harry Potter.
Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:24 PM   #2 (permalink)
Admin
Jobberknoll
 
Dumbledore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Norway
Posts: 3,994
Default

Love it! Nice job Emma.

You make it sound so exciting I may even watch this one.
Dumbledore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:31 PM   #3 (permalink)
Slytherin
Jarvey
 
Melted 4 HP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 671
Default
Arteest Extraordinaire

it actually comes out tomorrow...

tonight at midnight

__________________
+ My Artwork: DeviantArt +

+ DailyBooth + MySpace + YouTube +
Melted 4 HP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:33 PM   #4 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Murtlap
 
lumos_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Number 31, Grimmauld Place
Posts: 60

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Eric Smith
First
Default

tomorrow tomorrow :' D i'm going to be there x') 1st line
lumos_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:33 PM   #5 (permalink)
Slytherin
Jarvey
 
Melted 4 HP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 671
Default
Arteest Extraordinaire

same ^^
__________________
+ My Artwork: DeviantArt +

+ DailyBooth + MySpace + YouTube +
Melted 4 HP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:36 PM   #6 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League
Veela
 
griffin_girl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: In a fairytale
Posts: 37,061

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jillian McGuffin
Sixth Year
Default
Gryffindor Goddess

Cool! go Imi!

*craves OOTP*


just a few more hours!
__________________
And.I.try.not.to.Dream.but.them.possible.Schemes,
Swim.around,wanna.Drown.me.in.Synch.and.I,don't.know.
xxxx
how,to.Slow.it.down.my.Mind's.racing.from.chasing.Pirates.
x Celandine x Daphne x Garret x Jillian x

griffin_girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:37 PM   #7 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League
Hippogriff
 
starlightangel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: In the stars.
Posts: 22,879
First Year
Default
GWFC/BWFC My <3

Ah, Emma, i totally agree with you
__________________
Graphics made by: Thumper

Zoe loves Imi the most!
starlightangel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:38 PM   #8 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Puffskein
 
Hagridlover101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: The U.S. of A.
Posts: 2,091

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Kim Granger
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Sofia M. Mainella
Magical Transportation
Default

ahh!dying from the wait! must see!
Hagridlover101 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2007, 11:48 PM   #9 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Dugbog
 
dumbxblonde07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 124

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Emily
First
Default

I'm soooo excited! But I have to work!!!! grrr!!!!!
__________________

Siggy thanks to: ~Rainbow Lightning Skies Graphics~
dumbxblonde07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:01 AM   #10 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Puffskein
 
HP Girl22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dancing in the song
Posts: 1,040

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Lira Ventimiglia
Default

Nice work & i can't wait 2 see it!
__________________
*Down The Rabbit Hole I Went*

What a way to start the new year
HP Girl22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:02 AM   #11 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
Bundimun
 
bouncingferret's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: here...
Posts: 20
Default

Got tickets for tonight and Friday already! Can't wait!!!
bouncingferret is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:19 AM   #12 (permalink)
Members
Imp
 
trixterrx20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 465

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Nikki
Default

can't wait to see it. even though i have to wait till friday to see it. =[
trixterrx20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:49 AM   #13 (permalink)
Slytherin
Swedish Short-Snout
 
Pigwidgeon Took's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Wangdoodleland.
Posts: 31,294
Default
Russian Dancing Snake-Twin | Jam Pony Rider | Has Snuffed It!

OOH!!! Emma so lucky, got to see it so early, great review!!!

7 hours 11 minutes 30ish+ seconds for meee...
__________________
Looking for some color?
(click the button... you know you want to)
Pigwidgeon Took is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:52 AM   #14 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Firecrab
 
HARRY LOVER#1 =)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In Wonderland,with Mad Hatter
Posts: 979
Second

Ministry RPG Name:
Janelle singleterry
Gryffindor

OMG!! I cant wait 2 watch it!!! Im defenrtly going to watch it tomorrow!
Ive been waiting for like ever for this movie and now that im only like probally less than 24 hours away from watching it,it seems kinda surreal!!
__________________
Be ~~>LIE<~~eve......Believe??
HARRY LOVER#1 =) is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 12:58 AM   #15 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
!!!!Awesome!!!!
Jobberknoll
 
Mari of the Ocean's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: in Howarts offcourse
Posts: 4,130

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mari Elizabeth Allen
Fourth Year
Default

awesome!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait! The movie is realesed tomorrow in my country
*jumps up and down*
Mari of the Ocean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:02 AM   #16 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Puffskein
 
cgold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
Default

Sounds good although I wish it weren't spoiler-free. :p I wonder when my theatre will be showing this. Sigh.
__________________

Water for Elephants~April 22~*~Trailer1~*~Trailer2
cgold is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:18 AM   #17 (permalink)
Zoe
Dark Force Defense League

DMAC & DMLE
Runespoor
 
Zoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Wonderland
Posts: 61,275

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Logan Paton
Gryffindor
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Gillyweed Beery
Slytherin
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Tallulah Gamp
Accidents & Catastrophes

Ministry RPG Name:
Franklin Paton
Law Enforcement

x8 x8
Default
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Mrs. Charlie Weasley | Seneca's Beard | That's So Fetch

*Freaks out* It's so close!!! *Can't wait*
__________________

Zoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:24 AM   #18 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Jobberknoll
 
Ginny GL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Mexico.
Posts: 4,063

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Ginny
First Year
Gryffindor

OMG! I can't wait!
Ginny GL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:34 AM   #19 (permalink)
Moderator
Potterdom Mod
Book Club Mod


DMAC & DoM
Giant
 
Lissy Longbottom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ferrix: GMT-6
Posts: 56,907

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Moritz Schultz (#0f667e)
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Nancy Schultz (#ac6f77)
Hufflepuff
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jabari Rahal (#c54031)
Mysteries

Ministry RPG Name:
Calloway Bennigan (#b8b323)
Accidents & Catastrophes
x11 x1
Default
curly haired prefect - "sometimes I get angry!" - 30/90 - *chicken emoji* - probably @ Disney - I speak dog

Yay, so close I can't believe it's coming out so soon!
__________________
I'm still standin'________________________________________ better than I ever did

Lookin' like a true survivor_________________________________feelin' like a little kid
Lissy Longbottom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:50 AM   #20 (permalink)
Formerly: DracosTheBest
Jobberknoll
 
K33P0NR0CK1N's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ♥Loving Felton
Posts: 4,030
Default
Snape is my man!

The wait is finally over!
Well for me. I'm going to the see it tomorrow! *dances*
I've waited months so I can definitely wait a couple of hours!
__________________
x....Peace Out? Uhhmm...More Like Peace In....x
::
Tom with Emma? Psh. He's with the TFFC'ers
K33P0NR0CK1N is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 01:58 AM   #21 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
Dementor
 
ct potter24's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: west palm beach , FL
Posts: 98
Default

Great review. No matter what any critics say it is up to the viewers to decide, and since emma is a die hard fan and a regular viewer like we are it makes me anticipate the movie even more. Only a few more hours to go till midnight showing
__________________
On July 21st the final adventure arrives.
ct potter24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 02:06 AM   #22 (permalink)
Members
Flobberworm
 
Kajira's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Stratford, CT
Posts: 19

Hogwarts RPG Name:
unsorted
None
Default Review

Wow.. thanks for that. Now I am looking even more forward to seeing this. I am going to see this in IMAX 3D on Friday and I am jazzed!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
"I love Magic"
Kajira is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 02:20 AM   #23 (permalink)
Special Services to the School
Billywig
 
lightstar1154's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,669
Graduated
Default
Miss Sarah Bippity Boppity Boo!

[noob]ZOMG~?~?!!1!![/noob] I'm seeing it in 2 hours and I'm so thrilled... esp. since I wrote for the scene contest that the scene I really wanted to see was the Dumbledore/Voldie fight scene, and, to quote Emma:

Quote:
But it is the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort that really stands above and beyond the rest. This clash, which fans have waited for with baited breath, is everything it promised to be and more. The two heavyweights go head to head in a duel which knocks all wand fights out of the water.But it is the duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort that really stands above and beyond the rest. This clash, which fans have waited for with baited breath, is everything it promised to be and more. The two heavyweights go head to head in a duel which knocks all wand fights out of the water.
So exciting! Um... I need to calm down, methinks.
__________________



Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?
lightstar1154 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 02:43 AM   #24 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
Red Cap
 
Sarah Thompson2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Missouri
Posts: 70
Default

im going tommorrow, im so excited!
__________________
RAVENCLAW PRIDE
Sarah Thompson2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2007, 02:57 AM   #25 (permalink)



DMLE & DoM
Erkling
 
Samia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: sappyville♥
Posts: 20,981

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Freddy Zimmer
Gryffindor
Sixth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Missa Renaldi
Law Enforcement
x5
Default
*sappysapper* MAJNOO, YO!

The wait is over.....
__________________

......................let's be reckless, unaffected, running out until we're breathless
...............let's be hopeful, don't get broken, and stay caught up in the moment

Samia is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 07:58 PM.


This Harry Potter and Wizarding World fan website and community is not endorsed by Hogwarts, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Quidditch, Deathly Hallows, Sorcerer's Stone, Wizards, Muggles, No-Maj, MACUSA, Newt Scamander, Video Games, Half-Blood Prince, Orders of the Phoenix, Goblet of Fire, Philosopher's Stones, Chamber of Secret, Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, Cursed Child, or any other official Harry Potter source.

All content is copyright ©2002 - 2022, SnitchSeeker.com unless stated otherwise. Privacy Policy

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Site designed by Richard Harris Design

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252