"Order of the Phoenix" revolves around Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts where Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is alienated from everyone in the magic world because he believes that Lord Voldemort has returned. A secret society called the Order of the Phoenix has formed and starts recruiting wizards and witches to fight Voldemort.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), believes Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is spreading rumors of Voldemort's return to overthrow his administration. Fudge appoints Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), a loyal member of the Ministry, to watch Dumbledore and the rest of Hogwarts.

Professor Umbridge tightens the curriculum of the school and begins enforcing strict rules over the school. The students are left with a feeling that they must teach themselves or be left defenseless against the Dark Arts.

Last time around in "Goblet of Fire" we had a hard time figuring out what  had happened to Ron (Rupert Grint) during most of the movie. This time  Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), despite playing an integral part in this section of the book series, has suffered the same fate.  The members of the Order, even the beautifully adapted Tonks, fail to evoke the seriousness of the situation facing the world that they do in the book. The lead actors have grown comfortable in their roles. All of the acting is convincing, but the story elements hamper the movie from reaching a proper, emotional climax at the end.

The Ministry of Magic is characterized as an unchecked Orwellian executive branch. Dolores Umbridge begins by taking away civil liberties, recruiting  her own inquisitors and using truth serum to interrogate students.  Oh...and did I mention that she loves it?  She moves toad-like through the whole movie, smiling sweetly while torturing students.  If there is one character that has made a smooth transition from book to the big screen, she is the one.

With a smooth sail to number one at the box office last weekend and another movie already in production, the Harry Potter movies are far from  over. We can only hope that with the alleged last book of the series under her belt, J.K. Rowling can hold Yates' hand through "Half-Blood Prince"  direction.  One truly needs to read the books to get a handle on the "Potter
Phenomenon."

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is playing at both the downtown Regal Theatre and Lancaster Stadium.