Quidditch Lost

A quick shot over to the all-telling Internet Movie Database appeased my curiosity about David Yates. His credentials will now probably be headlined by his job directing the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, supposedly to be released sometime in 2008.

What's listed under his directorial credits seems to be a small list of films and TV show which are easily dwarfed by the likes of his predecessors (I still maintain that Alfonso Cuaron not only did the best book in the series justice, but crafted an enjoyable, almost standalone movie).

So maybe that's why there isn't much in the way of new magical visions in the fifth cinematic installment. Yates offers up a streamlined version of Order of the Phoenix (the lengthiest of any Potter tale to date), yet manages to lead the audience into the imminent climax in the Hall of Prophecies without any glaring hitches. Even with 2.25 hours of film time, little stress is placed aspects of the life of a fifth-year at Hogwarts, with OWLs being introduced merely as a device to set up the grand exit of Fred and George Weasley.

Yates can certainly be credited with his ability to portray power (both good and evil) and his vision of the hair-raising heart-pounding duels that take place between Death Eaters and the Order have certainly brought the world of Hogwarts magic to a new level. That said, the hormonal whirlpool that really starts getting dangerous in the fifth book is reduced to some choice scenes here, with a troubled Harry wanting nothing to do with anyone and at the same time yearning for attention and answers. Radcliffe has had an easier time in the past when it comes to student-to-student relations and it certainly doesn't help that Watson's Hermione functions only as a cinematic device to point out the obvious.

Perhaps the real fault of Order of the Phoenix is its complete and total lack of Quidditch. While the season is not necessarily a notable one, it is perhaps the largest oversight to not appease fans with a brief instance of the venerable wizarding sport. What left me most disappointed was watching Yates' imagination run wild as the camera follows witches and wizards on flights along the London skyline and not get to watch his same vision on the pitch. But that's just me, perhaps I'm more of a Hoggy-Hoggy-Hogwarts fan than others.

What's left to say about Order? Perhaps that the single greatest performance comes from Ms. Imelda Staunton as the skin-crawlingly accurate Dolores Umbridge. She's perfect. Just look at the wall of her office.

Witness the trailer, here.
Check out David Yates' work, here.
Look at Ms. Staunton's track record, here.