I don’t read the books, and I’m still totally embarrassed by the corny nomenclature, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to enjoying this movie a great deal more than I expected.

The first decent Potter film was the 3rd in the series, “The Prisoner of Azkaban.” It’s a beautifully shot time-travel story directed by Alfonso Cuaron (who went on to direct the ridiculously underrated Children of Men) Gary Oldman co-stars as a mysterious shapeshifting wizard named Sirius Black who escapes an isolated island prison to kill Harry Potter. That alone makes it one of the coolest movies ever made. Also, Azkaban was the first movie to acknowledge that the obvious fact that these characters are growing up. The series comes of age—so to speak—in the opening scene, where we find Harry hiding in the dark under his blanket discovering his “wand.”

The forth film, the title escapes me at the moment, was also decent. It pretty much copies the look of the 3rd, but with more action and effects than the previous films, along with darker themes, and the death of a major character. Oh, and Ralph fucking Fiennes as some sort of Darth Vader wizard.

Order of the Phoenix is again a bit darker and more grown-up than the last. The visuals are good, the same muted grays from Azkaban. (with the exception of some cool technocolor fireworks and wizard battle) The stakes are higher than before with a story about an impending war, not just student rivals and schoolyard bullies. But at the same time the movie’s also a lot of fun. There’s real chemistry between the actors as Harry and his friends have to contend with a socially conservative government that uses the media to discredit and slander the opposition amidst a possible war. It’s like Lord of The Rings meets Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as told by Al Franken.

Plus, it’s got even more Gary Oldman than the 3rd flick. He handles that wand like 70’s porn star.