Harry's high-five

THOSE hoping for a quick precis on what all the Harry Potter fuss is about should skip popping in to see the fifth J.K. Rowling book translated into film.

If you don't know why Hogwarts students are sitting their OWLs, that Sirius Black is in hiding after escaping from Azkaban, and how Cedric Diggory died, you will be out of your league seeing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

There is no time to waste on "the story so far" when there is a hefty 766-page book -- the fifth in a series of seven -- to cover in less than 2 1/2 hours.

Important elements of the complex past are woven into its forward-moving plot, its dialogue and Harry's fractured flashback nightmares, as they are through the book.

With a new director, HP5 delivers more of the same as in HP 1 to 4 in cast and characters, themes and settings, plus a thrilling finale as the story reaches another crest in its continuing juggernaut.

The book is paramount, and its words are often quoted directly and amusingly, but there are many major changes in the film's structure and emphasis that could confuse and disappoint many among Potter-potty experts of all ages who hold high expectations.

Dominating The Order of the Phoenix is the essential story of Lord Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) return and Harry's struggle with the demons in his mind.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Magic meddles in Hogwarts, installing fuchsia-clad Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) as a shrill, heartless controller of education policy and student behaviour.

So Harry leads a secret rebellion, teaching spells to fight the Dark Arts to a band of students in the hidden Room of Requirement.

The dark side is grey and grainy, washed with fog and smoke. The music, which favoured haunting strains, often belts out techno.

The worst of the film's horror (an over-cautious M) is done in the first few minutes, when Harry and a bloated Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) survive their run-in with ghostly Dementors.

The final 15 minutes, by contrast, are a force of firepower of two powerful wizards at war -- not threatening the planet, but using the elements and the ability to change form to make a special effects extravaganza within the Ministry's walls.

In between, the film is balanced with lighter moments, teenage poignancy and snippets that portray the gist of the layered storyline, with a huge licence for changes.

On the downside, it is missing delightful detail of fifth year at Hogwarts, especially Quidditch and classes in Potions, Magical Creatures and Transfiguration. Harry's romance with Cho Chang is compressed into a kiss, with no adolescent angst, and he develops a bond with "Loopy" Luna Lovegood (a memorably mystical Evanna Lynch). Many major characters have been shaved, partly because there are so many.

Dobby is absent, Kreacher is brief and poor Ron Weasley loses all mention of his prefect status and his agony-to-ecstasy Quidditch captaincy.

It is a pity, as Rupert Grint makes a beaut loser, while six years on from his Harry debut, Daniel Radcliffe still looks as wooden as his broomstick.

Alan Rickman is devastating again as Snape, Michael Gambon reigns with the power of calm as Dumbledore, and Robbie Coltrane returns as half-giant Hagrid with a secret in the forest.

Cameo appearances by Mrs Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Professor McGonagall and Cornelius Fudge fit around like comfy cushions.

Special effects are given their due in a movie about wizarding skills, with imagination imbued into mythical beasts, the effect of spells and momentary pleasures such as moving portraits, newspaper headlines and staircases.

There is no magic spell to please all the people all of the time, but a cauldron of cash helps Order of the Phoenix work enchantment for most.

JACQUI HAMMERTON