Pop Culture Buzz

*** STARS

The Harry Potter book and movie series is the most consistent and beloved children’s fantasy story ever created. Each movie breaks a new box office record each time. Adults and kids alike show up in droves to the midnight book releases and movie premieres. The phenomenon has remained a fixture on our pop culture radar with no end to the craze on the horizon.

The last book in the series has already blown away sales expectations and the new movie “Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix” has similarly followed suit. I loved the newest addition to the Harry Potter franchise more than I thought I would, the “Potter” movies just keep getting better and better.

“The Order of the Phoenix” is the most mature and enthralling film of the series so far. My favorite of the franchise “The Prisoner of Azkaban” was more gorgeous to look at but this latest addition has a much stronger story and plot. As Harry and the gang mature so do the themes and underlined tension in the story. The franchise needed a boost of life and this story in the series gives the collection a solid connection and cohesiveness. Watching “Phoenix” got me pumped for the final two installments. As the film ends we are left knowing that there is much more of the story to tell and we are left hungry to see what happens next.

I stopped reading the “Harry Potter” books shortly before “Order of the Phoenix” was released because the movies became more entertaining and rewarding to experience in the end. The directors, talent and screenwriters involved in these productions know that the fans want consistency.

The wealth of British talent and style gone into these films leaves the viewer satisfied the series has not gone into corny territory. The movies producers are always faithful to the story and characters which makes the films more authentic and leaves the impression that each film is handled with care. Never before has this been more true than with “The Order of the Phoenix”. “Potter” author J.K. Rowling and her fans should be proud that their hero has stood up to the test of time and all of the fantasy movie fads. This series is as classy as it gets and I am glad I’ve been along for the ride.