--- title: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 14 reviews: 10 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics come down in favour, and none against. The praise gathers almost entirely around Imelda Staunton, whose Dolores Umbridge is named in review after review as the film’s standout, the one element that gives this fifth entry a character of its own. David Yates gets steady credit for a confident first outing, cutting the longest book to date into a swift, serious and often tense film, with the Ministry of Magic sequences and the effects work singled out, and Evanna Lynch’s Luna Lovegood drawing warm notices. The reservations cluster around what the darkness costs. Several critics miss the charm and levity of earlier films, note that Quidditch has gone, and find the condensed story episodic, with characters and subplots shortchanged and a climax that lands softly. The spread is real but not wide: The Hollywood Reporter calls it the least enjoyable instalment so far, while Eye for Film and The Skinny call it the best in the series. ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2007. The review finds this the most filmic Potter entry so far, suspenseful and action-packed, though unlikely to win over non-fans. It singles out director David Yates and writer Michael Goldenberg for turning the book's bulk into a taut, grown-up adventure with strong supporting turns, especially Imelda Staunton's Umbridge. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/harry-potter-order-phoenix-review/) ## Radio Times — Jamie Healy Rating 4 out of 5. The film maintains the magic while embracing a resolutely dark mood in an engrossing fifth entry, with Yates instilling wonder and delivering a spellbinding finale of good versus evil. Some characters and subplots are shortchanged in the adaptation, though standout turns like Staunton's Umbridge provide relief. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-pquwuq/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating B-. 13 July 2007. The critic describes the film as workmanlike and complacent at times, with a dark mood that it does not soft-pedal. He singles out Imelda Staunton's performance as the standout element amid an otherwise unmemorable entry focused on plot delivery. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-1798202830) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2007. The critic finds it a sleek, swift and exciting adaptation of the longest novel to date that proceeds as a tense political thriller. It is absorbing but not transporting, a collection of interesting moments rather than a fully integrated experience. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/10/movies/10harr.html) ## Time Out — Wally Hammond Rating 3 out of 5 stars. 9 July 2007. The new director takes a serious, grave approach that keeps the film moving efficiently in a crisp 138 minutes but excises some charm and levity like Quidditch scenes. Strong performances, inventive production design, and thrilling set-pieces stand out amid the darker tone. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2007. Yates consolidates gains without an overpowering style in this way station of a film; the visuals and work with the young cast are strong, but it cannot shake an episodic feeling that makes developing momentum difficult. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-archives-harry-potter-order-phoenix-review-20170626-story.html) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 3/5. 13 July 2007. The film continues the series' formula with a focus on Harry's first kiss and battles against bureaucratic authoritarianism at Hogwarts led by Dolores Umbridge. It remains solid family entertainment but feels repetitive with forgettable plot twists. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/13/harrypotter.family) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2007. The critic notes that the buoyant disposition of the series has been replaced by dread and an adult sensibility, praising Imelda Staunton's villainous performance but criticizing the disjointed, overstuffed narrative and lack of resolution or punch in the climax. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2007. The critic finds the film full of plot but lacking in magic and fun, calling it the least enjoyable installment so far despite being necessary for the story. He notes a grim mood and color scheme with respectable direction and adaptation but highlights the absence of movie magic. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/film-review-harry-potter-order-141303/) ## Den of Geek — Lucy Felthouse Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2007. The film is a must-see for fans and potentially enjoyable even for non-fans, delivering excitement and emotional depth as the darkest entry yet. The critic singles out the impressive special effects, particularly the Ministry of Magic sequences, and the strong character development including a standout annoying Dolores Umbridge. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-review/) ## Eye for Film — Andrew Robertson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2007. The critic calls it a well-crafted and confident continuation that is probably the best in the series, praising the handling of themes, performances especially by Staunton as Umbridge and Lynch as Luna, and the effects, while noting some choices in condensing the book. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix-film-review-by-andrew-robertson) ## Digital Spy — Nick Levine Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 2007. The Order of the Phoenix marks a bold step forward for the franchise as Harry grows up amid rising threats from Voldemort. The critic singles out Imelda Staunton's deliciously despicable turn as Umbridge for establishing the film's own identity beyond previous entries. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a64524/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/) ## /Film — Peter Sciretta Rating 8/10. 11 July 2007. The critic praises the visual effects, direction by Yates, and performances especially Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood and Imelda Staunton as Umbridge, while noting issues with the condensed story from the book and wishing for more character moments. Verdict is positive but wanting more. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/496624/movie-review-harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/) ## The Skinny — Jack McFarlane Rating ★★★★. 7 November 2007. This fifth instalment is the strongest in the series so far, with a well-handled darker narrative and eye-popping action set pieces that improve on prior films. Director David Yates makes an impressive debut and the adaptation effectively uses pre-established characters to push cinematic buttons. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md