The Kentucky Kernel

Issue date: 7/12/07 Section: Features

The poster for the latest installment of the Harry Potter films.

Warning: The following contains major spoilers. You've been warned, so now you can't sue us.

The Boy Who Lived is back with a proverbial vengeance.

In the fifth installment of the renowned "Potter" series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the boy wonder-wizard juggles school, friendships, angst, and new ways to defend himself and those he loves from the evil Lord Voldemort and his minions.

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead," warned Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

And now, in the new film, those ominous words come true.

This doom and tension is realized through the directorial views of David Yates and the words of first-time "Potter" screenwriter Michael Goldenberg.

After the fourth film, "Goblet of Fire," we knew Lord Voldemort had returned to power. Nearly the entire wizarding world is put in danger, especially Harry, Voldemort's arch nemesis and the only person to ever survive the fatal Avada Kedavra Killing Curse.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Magic denies the return of "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" to avoid mass panic. To ensure the word does not spread, the ministry places Professor Dolores Umbridge at Hogwarts to keep tabs on their biggest threats to this so-called national security, Dumbledore and Harry. While the ministry continues to downplay the presence of a great evil, Dumbledore's followers and Voldemort's enemies join the Order of the Phoenix, a faction of wizards and witches dedicated to the side of the angels.

But, throughout the movie, Voldemort psychically invades Harry's mind while Harry juggles school, friendships, crushes and new spells to defend himself against the Dark Arts. As the stakes are stacked higher and higher, a familiar theme from the previous films and in J.K. Rowling's novels emerges: Harry must pay some sort of price by the end.

The movie has the same whimsical, edgy feel of previous movies, but director Yates manages to brand "Phoenix" as his own. Several scenes use a hand-held camera, and this addition delivers tension to the audience.

Daniel Radcliffe delivers a strong performance of an angst-ridden Harry, who digs for answers no one is willing to reveal. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint shine while defining the relationship of Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Gary Oldman's Sirius Black exudes the warmth of a loving godfather and simultaneously portrays a youthful, rebellious recklessness. All the old characters are back, with the new inclusion of Helena Bonham Carter as Sirius's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, pitch-perfect as an imprisoned Voldemort loyalist.

"Phoenix" captures the magical essence of the book, contains the apprehension from beginning to end and will keep viewers' eyes glued to the screen.

E-mail features@kykernel.com

If you go

What: 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'
Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence, some scary images
Now playing: AmStar, Cinemark Fayette Mall, Regal, Woodhill
Running time: 238 minutes

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