Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was a turning point in the Harry Potter film franchise. The film had a darker and much more mature tone then the previous films setting and brought the urgency of Voldemort's return to the forefront of the viewer’s minds. This Ultimate Edition release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix contains a number of excellent supplements that serve to make this great film even better.
The Film
The film had been previously released on Blu-ray as a standard edition and the movie itself has not been altered in the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition version. The Order of the Phoenix opens with Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) still living with the Dursleys and dealing with their constant abuse. A series of events between Harry and Dudley (Harry Melling) lead to an encounter with some Dementors. Harry is forced to use his Patronus spell and chases them off. Nearly immediately Harry is contacted by the Ministry of Magic having been charged for using Magic outside of Hogwarts while under age.
This is a farce of justice mostly because Harry, with Headmaster Dumbledore’s (Michael Gambon) backing, is trying to convince the world that Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is very much alive and back with full Death Eater support. Even with Dumbledore’s prestigious support, the wizarding world, for the most part, is denying Voldemort's return. The Minister of Magic has gone so far as to publically state that Harry is lying. This of course leads to friction in the wizard community.
Following his trial, Harry is reunited with Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) and returns to Hogwarts. Outside the school, the Order of the Phoenix is reformed with Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson), Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), and others believing Harry and trying to find and stop Voldemort. Hogwarts, once a safe haven under Dumbledore, has a new Defense of Dark Arts teacher appointed by the Ministry, the vile Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). She fully believes in the ministry's stance that Voldemort is not alive. She also believes that children should not be allowed to use true magic until they are of age.
Over the course of the film, Umbridge usurps Dumbledore's role as headmaster and enforces strict rules over the students and teachers. Harry, in desperation, decides to start teaching his classmates defensive and offensive magic so they will be ready for Voldemort. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and friends also embark on a journey to learn more about Voldemort and his plans.
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