The first review is in
Leo Lewis of the London Times was at Virgin Cinema Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan, for a screening of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
He said the film was a solid, occasionally spectacular, wizarding romp which struggles unsuccessfully to give us the thrills and fun we have not already had in previous installments.
No kidding.
Lewis makes the startling realization that the kids from the first four Harry Potter books are actually growing up. Instead of having typical kids problems -- sports, dating, homework -- compounded by the fact that they are also kid wizards and witches, Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates now face some adult predicaments. Self-preservation, duty, commitment, loyalty to friends and family take the place of passing potions class and finding a date to the Yule ball.
It is far crueler than its predecessors and begins to introduce properly the idea that we are no longer in an amusing magical playground, but are en route to an epic confrontation with real victims.
Apparently Lewis did not find the evolution of the characters, especially the young ones, very appealing. Heaven forbid the Harry, Ron and Hermione ever gain any depth through five movies.
To read the whole review go here: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/
But do so with great caution.