Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (SPOILERS)

[Kevy Baby]

OK, so I am really late to this game. Susan and I saw it tonight. I have to say that this has been my favorite of the HP movies to date. To me, this OOTP was the best translation to film - and the story most in need of a visual interpretation.

One of the first things I mentioned to Susan afterwards was that this movie was too short - it needed about another 10-20 minutes. But overall, it played well, not getting hung up on extraneous detail. One of the items I would have liked to see more of was Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix LeStrange. I don't recall how much Bell LeS was in the book: I just wanted more of HBC!

The casting of ALL the HP movies is in my opinion, the single best thing about the series. From the original casting (Hermione was frikken PERFECT in the first movie) up to Luna and Umbridge. I continue to be blown away by the choices.

Originally Posted by wendybeth

Those Weasley twins are getting cuter every year.

(I could have added a lot of others' quotes as well.)

I must be missing something because to me the boys looked MUCH less attractive in this film. To me, they looked like they were beat hard with an ugly stick.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Yes, the main trio was at its absolute worst. There was really nothing to it this time out. That's the story, sorry. The filmmakers didn't write it. Despite that, with so very little to do, Rupert Grint comes off the best he has in the entire series. And I think there's enough Harry and Hermoine to match up with any of the entries.

S and I overheard others mention a lack of chemistry amongst the trio and she and I discussed it. We both felt that any more play-up of the bonds that they share would be overkill. It has already been strongly established in the previous films - we get the point. I think it played well: the bond was there and you knew it.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Emma Watson is thankfully beautiful again (and she's legal now, isn't she??).

See my current signature.

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

They managed to put lots of stuff from the book in the background (so familiar readers could spot it and smile, while not bogging down the proceedings with unnecessary detail).

One of the better aspects of the film!

Originally Posted by Prudence

zomg the cat plates!

The cat plates were freakin' awesome. Just the right amount of subtle comic comic relief (I mean c'mon - who isn't infected with "awww" ness when you hear a kitten mew?).

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Then again, the novel was written in 2002 ... and I doubt much prescience was needed to project the trajectory of the Blair and Bush regimes. Perhaps Rowling had no specifics in mind .... and perhaps she did.

If I recall correctly, JKR was going through some legal battles over accused plagiarism when she was writing this book. I don't recall the details, but that sticks in my brain.

Originally Posted by Alex

My understanding at the time is that that the cat that went through the cat door was going to warn Umbridge and that is how she caught them in her office. Is that correct?

That was my take as well.