Harry's Fifth Year

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is having recurring visions of the night Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattison) was murdered by Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). Then, one hot summer day, he and his cousin Dudley (Harry Melling) are attacked by Dementors.  His patronus spell protects them, but almost immediately he receives an owl from the Ministry of Magic - he is being expelled from Hogwarts for use of magic in the presence of a Muggle. It seems like Harry's life as a wizard may be over.  Today, we'll discuss Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

We attended another concert filming, this time featuring the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. The score for this film was written by Nicholas Hooper; appropriately, it reflects the ever darkening universe that is now Harry Potter's world.

This is the film that introduces one of my favorite characters - Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch). Though seemingly a bit vague and odd, Luna is one of the most sympathetic and insightful people at Hogwarts. Having experienced death, she shares with Harry the ability to see the Thestrals which pull the Hogwarts carriages. Endlessly teased by the other students, she shrugs it off saying "it's all in good fun," even though they've stolen all her shoes. Luna slowly becomes a key character, and is an willing and able member of Dumbledore's Army.

Another new character to the franchise is the odious Dolores Jane Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). Foisted by the Ministry of Magic on Hogwarts as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, her goal in life is to make the school a haven for bullies, she being the biggest bully of the bunch. With her penchant for anything pink and for plates with kitties, she is a vile woman who literally tortures her students in the guise of disciple. One of my favorite scenes is her attempt to undermine Professor Snape (Alan Rickman). His response to her questioning is so Snape and absolutely priceless:

She: You applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?
He: Yes
She: But you were unsuccessful?.
He: Obviously

You can see the inimitable Mr. Rickman in action in this scene. Not surprisingly, he got a huge ovation when his name appeared in the credits.

We don't see a lot of Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) in this film - he spends much of the time avoiding Harry (we don't find out why until the end). But the inimitable Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) is amazing as the one instructor willing to go toe-to-toe against Umbridge. It's hard to stop this monster, but Professor McGonnagall tries, even standing up for Professor Sybil Trelawney when Umbridge sets her sights on that harmless creature.

Our trio of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) are growing and maturing, but the character who shows the greatest evolution is Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis). No longer a cowering misfit, Neville is beginning to understand his power, preparing himself (and us) for his important role in the books (and films) that follow. 

We are hoping that we can catch the concert screenings for the next three films. I'll leave you with this bit of the score and a trailer from the film: