The Order of the Phoenix

We went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this afternoon. If you have read the books, I can tell you that it's a bit like shifting without the clutch. Whaaa! We're moving! Eeee! We're stopping! Whoa! We're done! If you haven't read the books, you'd probably remark that it was "smartly paced, but a lot wasn't explained." Basically, you've got the longest book in the series condensed into the shortest movie in the series, and that means a lot of things got left out. Luna Lovegood and Prof. Umbridge got the most character development, being new; everyone else pretty much just showed up and did their thing, fast. To the movie's credit, though, there were certain parts I thought better the book: Meeting Grawp (jingle, jingle), and the way the rest of the DA escaped from Umbridge's office — much more realistic, and clever, in my mind. By contrast, the Weasley twins' flight was a bit of a letdown, compared to the triumphant exit in the book, and Rowling's depiction of Love as an overwhelming, almost physical force is replaced with some sappy pop psychology drivel. Otherwise, a pretty good flick.

Now, one week until Book 7....