The Times newspaper in the UK has published what they are calling the first review of the “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” film. Giving it 3 out of five stars, the review was based after seeing the premiere in Tokyo, Japan. The article is favorable towards the performances by Imelda Staunton as Professor Umbridge (“exquisitely dislikable”), and Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange (“shining but underused talent”), but is less kind to the trio. Of the film as a whole, the reviewer writes:
The film itself is a solid, occasionally spectacular, wizarding romp which struggles unsuccessfully to give us the thrills and fun we have not already had in previous instalments. It is far crueler than its predecessors and begins to introduce properly the idea that we are no longer in an amusing magical playground, but are en route to an epic confrontation with real victims.
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The director, David Yates, has inserted some lovely touches, including the Weasley twins’ explosive transfer from the world of academia to the world of retail. But overall there is a shortage of those joyful little glimpses of the wizarding world’s furniture that punctuated and perked up the previous films.
I never take what critics have to say about movies seriously. I’ve seen some movies I’ve really enjoyed that had gotten bad reviews, but then I’ve also seen certian movies that were raved about by critics and I didn’t like much. Few critics are Harry Potter fans, I imagine. Let the real fans give some proper reviews about the movie.
not a very nice review, is it? We will have to see ourselves and decide. And it really isn’t a payground… I found GOF too rushed, so I hope this one isn’t.
Most of the criticisms in the review are the same as the criticisms of the book- failure to advance the overall plot, leaving the audience in the same place as at the end of GOF. Which is fair enough, really. As is the point about the wait for Book 7.
Ok having read it Im not to bothered. The reviewer obviously isnt a potter fan and hasnt read the books-but 3/5 is respectable enough. Anyway like it is being pointed out-reviewers look for the bad things and they love to whinge about the hyped up movies! I must say the “jarringly awful” comment about Dan isnt good but having said that from the 11 clips online I think Dan has improved immensly-the DA and Sirius scenes in particular. I think ill skip reviews and judge for myself. oh and seeing this film is definitly NOT a chore for me-i was excited about it long before I found out the release date for DH.
I never listen to what these movie critics say in their reviews. What might be absolutely horrible for them, might be exciting for someone else. They could’ve given the movie 1 star and I’ll still go see it. We’ll just have to wait until in comes to the US to see if this person got it right.
Many of the reviewers will not have read the books and will come to the films with an almost ‘child of Disney’ expectation. It does not help that this movie keeps getting bracketed with Pirates as a sort of ‘kids summer blockbuster’. We all know it is more than that and more serious too, despite the welcome humourous touches. Don’t take the critics reviews too seriously folks – remember that two thirds of cinema audiences have not read the books and the reviewers all guess at things, wrongly seeing the films as ‘stand alone adventures’ and not part of the whole ‘arc’, as we see them. They then complain that each one resembles the last, just with new touches. Keep cool. More to it than that! We know! :-)
Well, I have to say that review was more than a little dissapointing, especially since it’s coming from The Times and everyone takes them so much to heart.
He seems to think that ALL the kids sucked this time. Usually, they say Dan sucked while Emma and Rupert shined brightly, but this guy just seemed to hate the whole thing. But I don’t exactly understand WHY he hated to whole thing.
I read the review twice, but I still don’t fully get what put this guy off. Hmmmm….maybe he didn’t eat his Wheaties or something?
Its somehow a bit awful review. I expected atlest 3.5… but 3? mmm well i don’t want myself reading this foolish review once again. From what I have seen, this movie is above good. 1 out of 3 means “an average”.
Anyway, I really hope this movie comes out to be a better one. BTW, I wanna judge it myself, and i’ll do it. I don’t trust on newspaper reads!
Well… While I admit that I am more excited about Deathly Hallows than this movie, I hardly think parts of it will seem like a “chore.” I guess we’ll find out in 13 days, right? :) !!
I tend to take reviews with a pinch of salt. Afterall, it is really just the persons opinion, so doesn’t affect mines till I’ve seen it. I’m kinda cynical about reviewers aswell. They are the most pickiest people on the planet when it comes to films. Also, with HP, most journalists aren’t even the slightest bit a fan of the series, so alot of their facts and stuff are wrong, or don’t even understand why certain things have happened.
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Off to read it but 3 outta 5…dear me….