...engaging and discerning culture, as a way of life...

July 14, 2007

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - 6

This is the first Harry Potter film I have seen in its entirety. Its the fifth one that has been made of the seven book series, which comes out next week...but you already knew that, you probably have a pre-order on hold for you like millions of others... This is obviously a popular series.
The film's basic theme is that growing up means conflict between good and evil and how these circumstances will shape one's character. Unique to this one is the claim that evil Lord Voldemort has returned...this leaves Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) ridiculed, and Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) forming a small group of people who want to prepare for a battle with Voldemort that seems inevitable since Harry is a particular target. So Harry, along with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) train privately, as Hogwarts gets taken over by Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton)and ruined as a school of magic. Harry gets his first kiss, and there is indeed a final battle that leads to more development of the overall story and some more losses. Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is introduced as a quirky character (she reminds me of Sarah Polley when she was that age). The film does a good job of being an imaginative metaphor for the audience to reflect on their own story and the similar, if less dramatic, reality of good and evil and the struggle to find one's place and vocations.

1 comment:

~Maria~ said...

If you haven't already, you ought to read the books. Nate and I went to see this one yesterday. Pretty good, but like usual, never as good as the book from which it came.