Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix

[jekylljuice]

I went to see this film this morning. It had its moments, but I had the much the same problem with it as I did with all the Harry Potter adaptations - that is, they usually do a rather dismal job of condensing the narratives into the two hour running time (Goblet of Fire largely excepted). This one really didn't seem to balance the sense of impending threat well enough with the big dramatic climax when it came (rather abruptly as a result). I was also disappointed that we got to spend so little time with Snape and that Pensieve - the actor they got to play young Severus appeared to be dead-on, but we didn't really get a terribly good look at him - which were the scenes I'd been most looking forward to. On the other hand, I'm grateful that they were able to tone down the perpetually foul mood that Harry spent the entire fifth novel immersed in (one of the reasons why I was never too fond of Phoenix in its original format).

By the way, am I the only person who felt that Voldemort looked oddly...dashing in a suit and tie? Every time that Harry flashed back to that peculiar scene I could just feel myself purring. In my defence, he is played by Ralph Fiennes, who can be quite the charmer.