Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

by J.K. Rowling

[thepunktheory]

Book vs. Movie:
The Order of the Phoenix is the longest book in the series. For some reason, however, it was turned into the shortest movie.
The book was a thrilling read, you just can't put it down. The story is intricate and Joanne K. Rowling keeps you guessing until the end. So far, this is the darkest novel. Not only the characters in the book grow up, the story matures with them. Matters are touched that go deep under your skin.
What I love about Rowling's books is her affinity for details. By adding so many little things, all the characters get depth, become real. The Order of the Phoenix was filled with many of those little aspect, from Fred and George's new business to Hagrid's journey, they all get to be important in the book.
Well, the movie on the other hand is not as detailed. To be honest, I was very sceptical, when I saw the length of the film. While the first two books had just the right length to be turned into movies, the third and fourth part of the series already made rather hectic and crammed adaptations. The fifth installment turned out to be no exception.
Not only was the movie a rushed series of events, I was also annoyed that many matters were but slightly ripped. Therefore, many aspect of the book never appeared (or only very briefly) in the film. This does not only take away a lot of depth, but also makes some parts difficult to understand.
What needs to be mentioned, however, are the brilliant new cast members. Evanna Lynch was the absolutely perfect choice for Luna Lovegood and Helena Bonham Carter gave me the creeps with her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange. I also loved Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks, although unfortunately she got almost no screen time.
Furthermore, the movie comes up with some stunning images, so here's a big thumbs up for the special effects team. Although the effects were flawless, the final fight between You-know-who and Dumbledore was far less impressive than in the book.

All in all I have to say that I was disappointed with this adaptation. They tried to make the best movie they could but it just wasn't enough time to do the book justice. Too much, too fast and lacking depth. In this case the novel has far more to offer than the movie.