Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Blu-ray Movie Review

Another Ultimate Edition release, another bounty of fresh extras...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown June 13, 2011

The Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix features the same 1080p/VC-1 encoded video transfer that graced Warner's 2007 Blu-ray release, as well as a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that, for all intents and purposes, offers an identical sonic experience to the 2007 BD's uncompressed LPCM mix. Not that anyone should complain. As Greg Maltz astutely pointed out in his original Blu-ray.com review, the film's high definition AV presentation is a stunning, immersive series standout that is as impressive in June of 2011 as it was in December of 2007. So much so that those who already own Warner's first release of Phoenix need only answer a single question when considering whether or not to purchase the new Ultimate Edition set: how much is four hours of new-to-Blu-ray special features, Ultimate Edition packaging and collectible pack-ins worth to you?

Stepping out on their own...

Like the studio's previous Ultimate Edition Harry Potter sets, Order of the Phoenix arrives in an attractive oversized box. But its size and design is in keeping with that of The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire; it isn't quite as tall as the first two UE releases -- The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, pictured here and here -- it substitutes a downloadable digital copy for a DC disc, and it comes packaged in a two-tier, side-access lenticular slipcover. Despite the sets' minor differences, though, they still complement one another nicely, and few fans will raise any serious complaints.

Tucked snuggly inside the outer sleeve is a sturdy inner box; inside that is a 2-disc DigiPak with BD-50 discs, a 44-page hardcover book, a cardboard envelope with two character cards (Luna Lovegood and Dolores Umbridge), an authorization code for an iTunes or Windows Media standard definition digital copy of the film (that expires in June of 2012), and an offer for a free Deathly Hallows key chain at NobleCollection.com (purchase required). As to the supplemental content itself, the Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix doesn't include an extended or alternate cut of the film, but it does include all of the significant special features found on the previous Blu-ray release of the film, an hour of additional Phoenix-centric production documentaries and featurettes, a worthwhile PiP In-Movie Experience (previously an HD DVD exclusive) and, most notably, "Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution," the next chapter in Warner's sprawling Potter documentary.

• In-Movie Experience (Disc 1, HD, 138 minutes): An enthusiastic Daniel Radcliffe hosts a terrific little Picture-in-Picture track bolstered by numerous cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, production design and visual effects mini-featurettes, optional Focus Points (press enter whenever the corresponding icon appears), pop-up trivia, factoids and, of course, a bit of thoughtful film and franchise commentary from Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and their castmates. There are a few lengthy gaps in the In-Movie Experience, but Warner makes it easy to take in all of the material: simply press left and right on your remote to hop from one segment to the next.
• Focus Points (Disc 1, HD, 63 minutes): A whopping twenty-eight Focus Point featurettes are available, all of which can be accessed from within the In-Movie Experience or from the first disc's main menu. Segments include "Dementors at Little Whinging," "Grimmauld Place," "Tonk's Face Transformation," "The Ministry of Magic Atrium," "Neville's Cactus," "Rupert's Giggle Fits," "The Paper Swallow," "Professor Umbridge," "Professor Umbridge's Spies," "Professor Umbridge's Office," "The Thestrals," "Hog's Head Tavern," "The Room of Requirement Door," "The Room of Requirement," "The Inquisitorial Squad," "Harry and Cho Under the Mistletoe," "Kreacher," "Azkaban Prison," "The Mirror Explosion," "Grawp," "The Weasleys' Fireworks Display," "The Explosion of Decrees," "The Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest," "The Centaurs Take Professor Umbridge," "The Thestral Flight," "The Hall of Prophecy," "The Choreography of Magic" and "A Wizard's Duel: Voldemort vs. Dumbledore."
• Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution (Disc 2, HD, 57 minutes): "In the beginning was the word, and the Earth was without form or void. And, then, along came Stuart Craig." Discover how the look, feel, tone and visual effects wizardry of the eight-film Harry Potter series has evolved over the course of the series by way of extensive interviews, revealing on-set footage and the many, many production details and insights "Creating the World" fans have come to expect from Warner's ongoing documentary. Of particular interest is the already candid documentary's examination of the various directors who tackled Harry Potter and, in the process, infused J.K. Rowling's world with their own styles and visions. As far as I'm concerned, the "Creating the World of Harry Potter" installments continue to make the Ultimate Editions essential purchases for true Potter fans, and "Evolution" simply doesn't disappoint.
• Additional Scenes (Disc 2, HD, 11 minutes): Nine high definition deleted and extended scenes make the roster: "Professor Trelawney Eating in the Great Hall," "What Neville Heard About the Daily Prophet," "Students in Gryffindor Common Room," "Professor Umbridge Evaluates Professor Trelawney," "Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle Bullying," "Filch Blows Out Professor Umbridge's Hair," "Harry, Hermione and Professor Umbridge in the Forbidden Forest," "Harry Enters Professor Dumbledore's Office" and "Harry Packs and Talks with Ron."
• Building the Magic: Behind the Sets of Harry Potter (Disc 2, HD, 20 minutes): "Building the Magic," the first of several behind-the-scenes documentaries making their Blu-ray debut, hones in on the design and construction of Phoenix's sets. Like the "Creating the World" installments, it peels back layer after layer with meticulous precision, digging into the particulars of every aspect of the tireless effort that goes into bringing one of J.K. Rowling's locales to life on the big screen. Unlike the "Creating the World" doc, however, "Building the Magic" keeps its gaze locked on Order of the Phoenix and rarely turns its attention to the series as a whole, other than to examine the visual cues and threads Phoenix adopts from earlier films in the franchise.
• The Rebellion Begins (Disc 2, SD, 23 minutes): Next up is "The Rebellion Begins," a look at the story and characters of Order of the Phoenix. Unlike "Building the Magic," it isn't presented in high definition, but it is a fun glimpse into the making of Potter's fifth adventure.
• Fulfilling a Prophecy (Disc 2, SD, 13 minutes): Another overview of the film's story and characters, "Fulfilling a Prophecy" is more of an extended preview than a full-fledged production featurette. Too many film clips, too many plot summaries, too much redundancy.
• Behind the Magic (Disc 2, SD, 47 minutes): Then there's "Behind the Magic," a fairly substantial, surprisingly thorough television special hosted by Ben Shephard. It adds yet another dose of cast and crew interviews, revealing dissections of key scenes and detailed production overviews to the mix, and does a fine job separating itself from the shallow television specials that so often find their way onto a Blu-ray release.
• Trailing Tonks (Disc 2, HD, 19 minutes): Actress Natalia Tena leads viewers on a tour of Leavesden Studios and, somehow, manages to avoid the usual pitfalls supporting actors tumble into when helming a featurette like "Trailing Tonks." Tena can be a bit overbearing, and the humor of the piece is rather hit-or-miss, but young Potter junkies will enjoy every minute.
• The Magic of Editing (Disc 2, HD): After a tiresome introduction, users can edit and create their own scene. It's mainly aimed at the kiddies, but it's a decent interactive extra nonetheless.
• Theatrical Trailers (Disc 2, HD, 3 minutes): Teaser and theatrical trailers round out the Ultimate Edition package.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The 2-disc Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has a lot of surprises up its sleeve, especially for a title that, compared its 2007 Blu-ray predecessor, offers identical video and (essentially) identical audio presentations. Packaging aside, it dishes out a Picture-in-Picture In-Movie Experience, an outstanding hour-long installment in the "Creating the World of Harry Potter" ongoing documentary, an hour of additional featurettes that can't be found on the previous Blu-ray release and two-and-a-half hours of content that can. Obviously, if you aren't a supplemental junkie, there's little reason to pick up Phoenix's Ultimate Edition. But if you are, this set will have a particular appeal.