 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- Review Date: December 9, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Riveting fifth movie finds Harry angry, brooding.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that even kids who can't read know about Harry Potter, and some kids who are too young for the content will want to see this fifth Potter movie (which is especially well timed, since the seventh -- and final! -- book hits bookstores July 21). As has been the case with each succeeding movie, as the central characters have gotten older and taken on bigger challenges, the themes darken, the danger becomes more intense, and the climatic battle scenes with "You Know Who" and his minions are downright frightening. Spoiler alert: There's a very upsetting (but bloodless) death of someone near and dear to Harry. As a result, he grows even more introspective and angry. At the very least, he does enjoy his first kiss (no spoiler to Potterheads), and Ron and Hermione continue their flirtatious bickering.
What's the story?
From the opening scene in which Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and portly dolt Dudley (Harry Melling) are attacked by Dementors, our courageous young hero has an ever-heightened awareness -- and acceptance -- of how his destiny is entwined with You Know Who's. In THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, the fifth installment of J.K. Rowling's seven-volume phenomenon, Harry, who survived his last confrontation with Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) but watched school favorite Cedric Diggory perish, is no longer a popular wizard genius. The Ministry of Magic mounts a smear attack against him and Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), he is nearly expelled, Dumbledore avoids him, and new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) tries to squash the idea that the Dark Lord is back. Sweetly odious Umbridge refuses to teach any defensive spells, so Hermione (Emma Watson) convinces Harry to hold secret classes in combat magic. Meanwhile, Umbridge, a child-hating, Ministry-approved enforcer, installs herself as dictator and launches a fascist campaign. In a climactic battle, Harry and friends face Voldemort's fearsome Death Eaters -- like Azkaban escapee Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and wicked Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs). There's a tragic (albeit expected) death and an even more tragic moment when Harry thinks he's alone and defeated. But Potter lovers know that Harry isn't ever alone: He has an entire world of devotees on his side.
Is it any good?
There's no longer a doubt that, with the advent of THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, Harry Potter -- the character, as well as the film series -- has grown up. In this dark (even by Potter standards) and captivating new adventure, the kids face increasing peril, and the thrills intensify right up to the explosive ending. The gravity of the situation takes a front seat, with bureaucratic intrigue and boot-camp magic lessons overshadowing the brief romantic interest between Harry and Cho (Katie Leung). Sure, Harry finally enjoys his first kiss, but the infatuation doesn't last.
And forget about Quidditch, because director David Yates doesn't include any game sequences -- or much of the Hogwarts social scene, for that matter, outside of the clandestine magic lessons. Those who haven't read the novels might hope for a Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione hook-up, but apparently that's just not in the books ... yet, anyway.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movies' increasingly mature themes as Harry grows into a full-blown adolescent. Why is Harry so angry? Do you think Harry and his friends act and feel like real teenagers? Also, even though this movie and the last one are rated PG-13, they're heavily marketed to younger kids -- do you think that's OK, or are the later movies too scary for little kids? Potterheads: What parts of the book were best depicted in the film? What got left out that you would have included? What scenes included heavy foreshadowing of things to come?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Harry Potter is AWESOME! Parents lay back!
I loved the movie!! I love the 5th book and movie so much! There is so much enpowernment and you feel all "ah-ha I told you so!" when the ministry finds out Voldemort really has returned. I don't understand how parents get soo concerned. I mean one there's not that much bad content (okay a kis, but really its not that bad!). Are your kids gonna run into a dementor while shopping no? Where are your kids gonna get a firewhisky? I mean really people think about it. Worst gets worst, your kids could run away on a broomstick or be picked up by the Knight Bus.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 8, 2011
AGE
Not As Good as the Book, But still an enjoyable film
In my opinion, 4 5 and 6 are for tweens. A nice flick not to be missed
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AGE
Very great movie. Final battle scene was truly amazing. IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. The great battle you've always been waiting for. this movie is a little more violent and scary than the 4 on but over it was 93/100-best for ages 9+
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Kid, 11 years old
August 31, 2010
AGE
Great movie, but there is issues. First, awesomeness. Second, violence. There is fantasy vioence, including a guy getting murderd by a curse, and a big fight between the two greatest wizards. Third, scariness. It will freak the crap out of kids when harry is possesed. So you might wanna hold off on this one.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 29, 2010
AGE
excellent. best so far in the series.
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AGE
this movie was good but not the greatest during the middle of the movie but it definetly had the best battle of a harry potter movie at the end were it was dumbledore and voldemort battle eachother
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Kid, 11 years old
May 17, 2011
AGE
good for kids
I think that it was a good movie its intense in one sence.
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AGE
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (2007); 138 min., imbd: 7.3
Now, even though this IS more mature and dark in tone, this is still appropriate for 12 year olds. Well, in all honesty, I'm getting tired of reviewing these movies. I mean, It took me about an hour and a half of writing to review 1-4, so I'm just gonna state the facts. pOSITIVE rOLE mODELS: Sticking together and friendship play an important role in this one. Ron, Hermoine and all of Harry's friends won't let Harry face Voldemort alone. So they risk getting in big trouble to have Harry train them with the spells and incantations he's learned over the years. Also, the morals of friendship, love, teamwork, bravery, and more are strong and clear throughout. pOSITIVE rOLE mODELS: Harry and friends stand up against witches and wizards much more powerful and experienced than them. Also, dealing witht the loss of a loved one. vIOLENT vEIL aND sCARY sITUATIONS: The Death Eaters might scare young ones, as well as the havoc they cause; Nargels(did i spell that right?) might be unsettling to younger viewers too; Many people, good and bad, are harmed in the climax, and one dies; One character is dragged away by Centaurs and we never see her again...till the next movie; A giant may scare. nYEH nONSENSE (oR sEXUAL sTUFF): A. LOT of making out and sexual moves between students. Ron and Hermoine's relationship is officially ON now, as well as Harry and Jenny's. oBSCENITIES aND oBSCENE pROFANITIES: Appearances of bloody h*ll, d*mn, git, maybe a sh*t, have become a somewhat common occurance from now on. dRUG dANGERS: Butterbeer is drunken. nEGATIVE rOLE mODELS: I have already mentioned that Harry and others start a secret(and somewhat rebellious) group of Defense Against the Dark Arts. cONCLUSION: Everybody hates this one(both book and movie) due to the massive dark overtones. Fun Fact: This is the largest book in the series! 800+ pages! But, seriously. This is dark, depressing, and too intense for 12 year olds. One of the best, not of the worse. People are crazy. They hate how the dark tone never lets up!! But this is the most true to the book since Prisoner of Azkaban. Good movie. Check it out. We're almost done! One more to go, then to see Deathly Hallows!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 3, 2011
AGE
Fun!
Good movie! Very awesome when harry fights voldemort at the end.
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AGE
great movie
this movie is great i own it. but i wouldent reccomend it for kids 12 and under because of the scary images.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | David Yates |
| Cast: | Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 10, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | December 11, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images. |
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