Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
http://www.thejournalofstudentministries.com/articles/144/1/Movie-Review-Harry-Potter-and-the-Order-of-the-Phoenix/Page1.html
Dave Urbanski
Dave Urbanski is author of The Man Comes Around: The Spiritual Journey of Johnny Cash (Relevant Books), senior developmental editor for Youth Specialties, and writes about music, film, and culture for several publications. By Dave Urbanski
Published on 05/29/2008
Given the recent ballyhoo over possible Christian themes running through the final book in the J.K. Rowling series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it seemed fitting to investigate if similar themes show up in the most recent celluloid creation of an earlier book in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (Plus, given all the controversy that's percolated in Christian circles regarding the witchcraft-oriented influence Harry Potter could be having on kids, seeing things with my own eyes seemed like a sober, thoughtful plan of action.)
PG-13, 138 min.
Given the recent ballyhoo over possible Christian themes running through the final book in the J.K. Rowling series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, it seemed fitting to investigate if similar themes show up in the most recent celluloid creation of an earlier book in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (Plus, given all the controversy that's percolated in Christian circles regarding the witchcraft-oriented influence Harry Potter could be having on kids, seeing things with my own eyes seemed like a sober, thoughtful plan of action.)
In this installment, the Ministry of Magic is headed in multiple unwise directions: first, it's behaving as if the newest threats of the dark lord, Voldemort, have no merit; second, when Harry and Dumbledore press forward with the truth about Voldemort's evil intentions, the ministry punishes the pair: Dumbledore is eventually ousted as headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by a Nurse-Ratched-on-Steroids replacement, Dolores Umbridge, and Harry is temporarily expelled. On their own, however, Harry and his friends practice spells against the dark lord, and Harry begins having stronger and stronger subconscious visions--visions that make him doubt if he's, in fact, a "good" wizard and has the strength to withstand the temptations of Voldemort, who's plotting to infiltrate our hero's mind. The movie culminates with a battle between good and evil forces that produces one unexpected, tragic consequence.
In the face of all the grandstanding that some in the church have done in the name of protecting young believers from getting confused by the positive spin the Potter series places on witchcraft, they must also protest the likes of The Wizard of Oz for consistency's sake. And since stepping on that wholesome, hallowed, pre-World War II ground could very well be a mortal sin (I mean, what right-thinking Christian has a problem with Glenda the Good Witch and Dorothy's ruby slippers?), they might consider showing Harry a little mercy. That said--and more importantly, that made clear to your kids and whomever else may be concerned if you someday choose to screen portions of this or any other Potter movie at a youth group meeting--there's plenty of good stuff to glean from The Order of the Phoenix. While there are no overtly Christian themes, there are plenty of biblical parallels: Everything from standing up for what's right (even if it's against authority), laying down one's life for your friends, and battling evil with the truth--all of it is alive and kicking in the plot and ready for a quality discussion.
In this installment, the Ministry of Magic is headed in multiple unwise directions: first, it's behaving as if the newest threats of the dark lord, Voldemort, have no merit; second, when Harry and Dumbledore press forward with the truth about Voldemort's evil intentions, the ministry punishes the pair: Dumbledore is eventually ousted as headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry by a Nurse-Ratched-on-Steroids replacement, Dolores Umbridge, and Harry is temporarily expelled. On their own, however, Harry and his friends practice spells against the dark lord, and Harry begins having stronger and stronger subconscious visions--visions that make him doubt if he's, in fact, a "good" wizard and has the strength to withstand the temptations of Voldemort, who's plotting to infiltrate our hero's mind. The movie culminates with a battle between good and evil forces that produces one unexpected, tragic consequence.
In the face of all the grandstanding that some in the church have done in the name of protecting young believers from getting confused by the positive spin the Potter series places on witchcraft, they must also protest the likes of The Wizard of Oz for consistency's sake. And since stepping on that wholesome, hallowed, pre-World War II ground could very well be a mortal sin (I mean, what right-thinking Christian has a problem with Glenda the Good Witch and Dorothy's ruby slippers?), they might consider showing Harry a little mercy. That said--and more importantly, that made clear to your kids and whomever else may be concerned if you someday choose to screen portions of this or any other Potter movie at a youth group meeting--there's plenty of good stuff to glean from The Order of the Phoenix. While there are no overtly Christian themes, there are plenty of biblical parallels: Everything from standing up for what's right (even if it's against authority), laying down one's life for your friends, and battling evil with the truth--all of it is alive and kicking in the plot and ready for a quality discussion.