Am I the only one who thought Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was kinda meh - Page 2

Thanks Justin, didn't know any of that.

While I still love POA and think it's the best made, the amount of information left out really pisses me off. This isn't some stupid fanboy complaint because some of that information is crucial to understanding the story as Logo Lou just demonstrated. I remember them promising at the time that most of it would be revealed later on in the series, but by now I think we can kiss that goodbye.

I think OotP is second worst to 'sorcerer's stone'. I've never read any of the books so I can't make comparisons between the mediums, but 'phoenix' was a pretty hollow experience. I thought that most of the effects were underwhelming and Sirous' death was fucked.

I, also, think Azkaban will remain the strongest entry in the series. It looks like Ingmar Bergman's take on youth fantasy.

I'm a big fan of the OotP film, and all of them in general. I love how cohesive they are, mostly stemming from the stability of the cast over the years. It's like they're all parts of onw big long story and it's been amazing to watch the kids grow, in many ways, as the films have gone on.

I even enjoy the earliest films, for what it's worth. I think all of the kids have been great finds for their roles, and just to ramble on for a moment, I particularly enjoy Rupert Grint's Ron in the first film. When they're getting their broom lesson and Ron's broom smacks him in the face and Harry laughs, I love the way he says "Shut up Harry", like they've already been great friends for a long time.

On another note it was just great seeing the kids be kids in the earlier films as well. Not the best of actors perhaps, but they all did a spectacular job as far as I'm concerned. One tidbit I'm particularly fond of is in the Chamber of Secrets film. While it takes me completely out of the film, I love the scene where Lockhart lets the pixies out of their cage and all hell breaks loose in the classroom. Obviously, the pixies aren't REALLY there, so you've got a room full of kids waiting for their cue to lose it. They get the cue and chaos ensues, but I particularly love to keep my eye on Emma Watson here who deliberately swishes her arm across her desk swiping everything to the floor. It's ridiculously awesome! And I have to look at it again, but I believe she looks as though she's trying not to crack up as well.

I think one of the things that have hampered the 4th and 5th movies for me is the way the end. Azkaban is the last movie to feature an ending in which Voldemort's return to power isn't a huge concern and ends on such an emotionally high note that it feels very satisfying without overstaying its welcome the way the first 2 movies did.

Both Goblet and Order come to dark conclusions where Voldemort has returned or is finally recognized as having returned. Such a huge event feels like it needs more time to wind down... have some questions answered... the way they do in the books.

But in the movies, these dark and significant events usually end with a short conversation and images of students leaving the school with people waving goodbye. They try to end on a hopeful note but that never feels right to me. Feels like they're going for the ending of The Empire Strikes Back, but never stick it. I think they've gotten closer to that golden example with Half-Blood Prince, but still... not quite.

Maybe the thing they're missing is a grandiose John Williams score. Hahaha.

You have a valid point though, Nooj.

And that is one of the reasons why I feel they need to wrap the series up with the bookend piece from Deathly Hallows.

Yes, some think it is a bit too saccharine, but I think the movie series has earned that ending.

Sweeping Williams score optional.