Young Muggles review new "Potter" film

As the movie "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" weaves a magic spell over the multiplexes this weekend, take a moment and read these reviews from a few members of the movie's core constituency: young fans of the Potter saga. Cassy, Michelle, Lauren, Ankur, Gus and Dalton — all winners of The Seattle Times' Harry Potter Movie Contest last month — joined me for an advance screening of the film, and now share their reactions with all of you. Read and heed, Muggles.

Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times movie critic (Not Rita Skeeter. Not even close.)

Scary, funny — and a mushy part

By Cassy Chang

I think THIS Harry Potter movie was scary, but I could see that Voldemort's ways (and face) didn't change. For this movie I'd probably give three stars.

Of course, this is my opinion, and I think it was a great movie. When I say scary I mean creepy as in fantasylike, with all the things their wands conjure up. Also I think they (the makers of the movie) did a good job on computer animation stuff (as of course they do in all the movies).

This movie was really, really funny at times, and at other times a mixture of sad and scary. When I mean funny, it is funny because of things like what they say, and parts of what they do. One part during when they are taking their OWL examinations something really fun happens (that is, if you don't like the evil Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher) that involves broomsticks and ... firecrackers! For younger people (like me), some scary parts MIGHT be eye-shutting-scary. And just to let people know, there IS a mushy part. For some older people, the scary parts might be exciting parts, therefore I thought some were quite exciting and of course very funny too.

And still, also, there are parts where you feel like you really would want to do what they're doing.

I sure do hope you enjoy the movie!

Cassy Chang is 9 years old and lives in Seattle.

Astoundingly close to the book

By Michelle Fredrickson

Better directed and written than the previous Harry Potter movies, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is an astoundingly close reproduction of the book. The scriptwriter wrote a very good script, taking some lines directly from the book, changing others, and fitting it all together nicely. The actors for new and old parts did amazingly in character production, which could please even the most critical of eyes. Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) produced a believable and amazing performance, likewise with Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood). The movie moved swiftly through necessary points, sometimes these points covered differently than in the book. The centaurs, changed from their last appearance, look more animal than human, a change from previous directors' decisions.

The atmosphere implied by the camera work, script, and setting was that of unease and suspense. The movie always kept you on your toes, never knowing quite what to expect, even for those who have read the book. Just the right amount of comedy, as in Hermione's line after a scene between Harry and Cho Chang, "I'm sure Harry's kissing is more than satisfactory," mixed with the amount of bad things that were happening at Hogwarts, with the sweetly horrible Professor Umbridge in her pink cardigan and the disturbing dreams that Harry was having concerning the Department of Mysteries.

With such a combination of delight, fear, comedy and happiness, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is a movie that will please millions!

Michelle Fredrickson is 12 years old and lives in Issaquah.

Too many liberties, great special effects

By Lauren Michael

I must not tell lies, so I will be honest: It is difficult to critique Harry, especially because of the franchise's popularity. The film version of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is everything a movie should be: exciting, romantic, depressing, passionate ... the list goes on. New screenwriter Michael Goldenberg does a fantastic job making the dialogue flow. Imelda Staunton (Professor Umbridge) is deliciously evil. The score by Nicholas Hooper is emotional, moving and at times hilarious.

However, many key plots, though perhaps considered minor, were either missing or mentioned fleetingly. Ron and Hermione are never made Prefects, and the Ministry's ambush on Hagrid never happens. Harry's prophecy was not explained in great enough detail to capture Harry's shocked feeling of realization that he alone must ... I do not want to spoil it. Too much movie license was used; several scenes were added that were not in the book and were unnecessary to the plot.

On a brighter note, the special effects were outstanding, particularly Grawp and the thestrals, as well as the flying scenes. Also, parents, please take the PG-13 rating seriously — just because it is Harry does not mean that it is meant for children. Harry is truly a teenager now — a reality displayed through every detail of the film.

Lauren Michael is 14 years old and lives in Bothell.

Much bigger role for you know who

By Ankur Mukherjee

The fifth Harry Potter movie, just like the others, has great special effects such as the spells and mystical creatures like giants and dementors. There are also exciting action scenes that would keep you at the edge of your seat. Lord Voldemort has a very creative voice and face. It was a well-made movie even though some parts from the book are skipped.

This movie is very different from the rest of the Harry Potter movies because Lord Voldemort has a much bigger role, which allows him to be on the screen much more than he used to be. The actor Ralph Fiennes also did a marvelous job acting Lord Voldemort. Toward the end it had a little melodrama, which stretched the movie a little longer than it should have. This Harry Potter movie also focuses a little more on the relationship between Harry and Hermione, which is good. All the actors have kept up the standards they set in the other movies.

The movie has a very mysterious start, so you get hooked right from the beginning. As the movie progresses, it focuses more on the characters than on the special effects but makes up for it at the end with a great battle scene. The movie also had a little humor that makes you laugh every once in a while. Overall it is a great movie.

Ankur Mukherjee is 11 years old and lives in Kirkland.

A little problem with the Death Eaters

By Gus O'Leary

My favorite part of this movie was battling the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries. It must be hard to battle (and win) while you're running through a big "maze" while a bunch of dangerous people are everywhere trying to hurt you (if not kill you). If you're running through this place, you're also in a big risk of a bunch of glass falling on top of you. In other words, just being in the room is gambling your life. And with all the curses being thrown everywhere it makes the risks even greater.

In the movie (and book) it seemed the Death Eaters could have killed the kids. It's like they were going easy on the kids (which I wouldn't do if I were a Death Eater). It's one of the few problems of the movie (which I totally love).

Speaking of problems, one thing I don't like is that there are differences between the movie and the book. An example is that in the book, while Harry and his friends were trying to get into the Department of Mysteries, there were a bunch of doors that they had to go through the correct ones. Hermione cast a spell that would put "X's" on the wrong doors. In the movie they left this part out. This isn't a big problem, but I'm kind of picky. If I ever make a movie, I'll make it like the book in every way I can.

Because of these faults, I'll give the movie 3 ½ stars.

Gus O'Leary is 9 years old and lives in Seattle.

Maturing actors, realistic centaurs

By Dalton Scott

After 2 hours and 18 minutes of gorging on popcorn and sipping a large Icee (which is not the only thing I paid attention to), I've decided to give "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" 2.5 stars.

Harry returns to Hogwarts for his fifth year to find Dolores Umbridge (played by Imelda Staunton) as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. She has very strict rules about using magic in class, making it hard for the students to learn. Harry forms Dumbledore's Army — a club to teach other willing students defensive magic to fight Voldemort.

For people who haven't read the book, they may only half understand the movie, while those who have read the book will be able to fill in the pieces left out.

The down side to the fifth segment is the change of directors. David Yates did a good job, but if you're expecting things to "look" the same, don't count on it. Some viewers may be confused because the appearances of many things are different than the previous movies. You can expect to see the familiar characters return for another year at Hogwarts. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have grown older just like their characters, and their acting abilities have matured with them.

On the plus side, the movie has great special effects. The mythical characters like the centaurs are more realistic and the patronuses are more wispy-looking. This movie also provides more comic relief to help balance out the nature of the return of the Dark Lord Voldemort.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is a great fantasy movie for viewers wanting excitement and suspense. The magic continues to leave viewers with a sense of wonder, even though some of the charm of the previous Harry Potter movies is left behind.

Dalton Scott is 10 years old and lives in Lake Stevens.