Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix UHD Review

4.5 Stars Year 5 arrives on UHD

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix marked a maturation of the series, with David Yates stepping in as director and would stay on for the rest of the series. Warner’s new 4K UHD release is a solid one, with a noticeable upgrade in both video and audio.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Released: 11 Jul 2007
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 138 min
Director: David Yates
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Melling, Jason Boyd, Richard Macklin
Writer(s): Michael Goldenberg (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)
Plot: With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.
IMDB rating: 7.5
MetaScore: 71

Disc Information
Studio: Warner Brothers
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 2160p HEVC w/HDR
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: DTS:X, English DVS 2.0, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Other
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 Hr. 18 Min.
Package Includes: UHD, Blu-ray, UltraViolet
Case Type: 2-disc UHD keepcase with slipcover
Disc Type: UHD
Region: All
Release Date: 03/28/2017
MSRP: $44.95

The Production: 4/5

How does one review a film that has been released (and reviewed) several times on both DVD and Blu-ray? Chances are, if you are reading this review, you are probably a fan of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and are likely more interested in what the disc has to offer in regards to its video and audio presentation, and if all or most of the special features have been retained. For answers to those questions, check the next three sections of this review.

Director David Yates may have seemed like an odd choice to direct the fifth film in the franchise. Prior to this film, Yates had several episodes of television series and two made-for-TV movies under his belt, while the directors of the first three films each had multiple theatrical features on their resume. Yates also had the misfortune of helming the adaptation of what many considered to be the weakest novel in the series. Yates and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg (Contact) trim much of the fat from the novel, providing a more evenly paced and coherent movie. The three stars are also given the opportunity to display their range as actors, particularly Daniel Radcliffe in the titular role as Harry shows his abilities as a leader and teacher. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix may not be the strongest in the series, but it begins to build towards its epic conclusion.

Video: 4.5/5

3D Rating: NA

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was shot on 35mm film and completed as a 2K digital intermediate back in 2007. Warner has taken that 2K DI, upscaled it to 2160p, and color-graded using High Dynamic Range (HDR). The result provides slightly finer detail, noticeable mostly in textures of fabrics, stones, and skin. It also provides a more natural gradation of colors, although much of Order of the Phoenix almost appears mono-chromatic as did the DVD and Blu-ray versions, so this was likely a stylistic choice. The real benefit comes from the wider range of contrast, allowing for deep blacks with strong shadow detail, most evident during the battle in the Department of Mysteries, with its dark endless hallways with tiled floors and brick walls.

Audio: 4.5/5

For this UHD release, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix gets an upgraded DTS-X soundtrack, which provides a subtle improvement over the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 track. The track has a wider soundstage, with occasional use of heights to add an extra sense of immersion. LFE is also slightly stronger, but never overpowering. Dialogue is clear and consistent throughout, never getting lost in the mix.

Special Features: 4/5

As with most of Warner’s 4K UHD releases, there are no special features on the UHD disc. Warner has included the 2-disc Ultimate Edition Blu-ray of the film (which was repackaged last November as a new Steelbook edition), which includes the following special features:

Blu-ray Disc One (Movie):
In-Movie Experience: A picture-in-picture collection of interviews and behind the scenes footage that can be viewed while watching the movie.

Focus Points (1080p; 63:10): A collection of 28 snippets of behind the scenes featurettes, including Dementors at Little WhingingGrimmauld PlaceTonk’s Face TransformationThe Ministry of Magic AtriumNeville’s CactusRupert’s Giggle FitsThe Paper SwallowProfessor UmbridgeProfessor Umbridge’s SpiesProfessor Umbridge’s OfficeThe ThestralsHog’s Head TavernThe Room of Requirement DoorThe Room of RequirementThe Inquisitorial SquadHarry and Cho Under the MistletoeKreacherAzkaban PrisonThe Mirror ExplosionGrawpThe Weasleys’ Fireworks DisplayThe Explosion of DecreesThe Centaurs of the Forbidden ForestThe Centaurs Take Professor UmbridgeThe Thestral FlightThe Hall of ProphecyThe Choreography of Magic, and A Wizard’s Duel: Voldemort vs. Dumbledore.

Blu-ray Disc Two (Extras):

Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 5: Evolution (1080i;  57:16)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Behind the Magic (480i; 46:46)

Building the Magic: The Sets of Harry Potter (1080i; 20:22)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Rebellion Begins (480i; 23:13)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Fulfilling a Prophecy (480i; 13:02)

Trailing Tonks (1080i; 19:25)

Harry Potter: The Magic of Editing (1080i; 5:21)

Deleted Scenes (1080p; 10:57): Nine scenes are included: Professor Trelawney Eating in the Great Hall (Extended); What Neville Heard About the Daily Prophet (Extended); Students in Gryffendor Common Room (Extended)Professor Umbridge Evaluates Professor Trelawney (Extended)Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle BullyingFilch Blows Out Professor Umbridge’s HairHarry, Hermione and Professor Umbridge in the Forbidden Forest (Extended)Harry Enters Dumbledore’s Office; and Harry Packs and Talks with Ron.

Teaser Trailer (1080i; 0:59)

Theatrical Trailer (1080i; 2:15)

Digital HD Copy: An insert contains a code to redeem a digital copy through Ultraviolet partners.

Overall: 4.5/5

Fans of Harry Potter will be happy that Warner did not make the mistake they made with the UHD release of Pacific Rim when they omitted the special features disc on that release. Video and audio improvements are subtle but noticeable.

Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.

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DavidMiller

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I thought the DTS:X sound track made great use of the overheads... I thought they did a pretty good job with the HDR application in it really made the movie feel new again. I'm looking forward to seeing the first 4 since they where in a big clean-up. I was watching them a couple months ago and they ready didn't hold up.
 

Matt Hough

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I watched this tonight. Like Todd, I found the higher resolution just slightly more detailed than the Blu-ray, most of its gain not very noticeable at all. At their best, the black levels were superb. I didn't find HDR a major factor in the look of this movie, but maybe its use was just more subtle.

The CG of Hagrid's brother and the centaurs really showed how far CG has come in the last half dozen years. They look very computer generated.
 

Josh Steinberg

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The CG of Hagrid's brother and the centaurs really showed how far CG has come in the last half dozen years. They look very computer generated.

Those stood out to me in the original release as well. I think sometimes the HP production team traded realism for efficiency to keep these films coming out every year or so, and for as brilliant as the series is overall, there’s some dodgy CGI here and there. They have that almost translucent quality where they don’t appear to be occupying the same physical space as the live actors.
 
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