This book was about 900 pages, the movie not quite 2.5 hours long. So, you can imagine there was LOTS left out.
The opening scene starts with a much matured Harry Potter. His shoulders have widened, jaw squared up, you know, looking like a young man. This, of course fits perfectly with this storyline of the angsty teen coming of age, if you will. Much like the book, this scene ends with Harry using the Petronis Curse to fend off the two dementors that have attacked him and Dudley. It was well done.
As the story goes on we finally get to know Sirius a bit. I didn't like Sirius. I liked the character in the story, I didn't like the way the actor portrayed him. He seemed arrogant, insincere and shifty...even in his dealings with Harry. I dunno, rubbed me the wrong way.
The other new characters introduced though, I did like, specifically Luna, Tonks and best of all Bellatrix. Bellatrix was awesome - easily now my favorite HP character. Hagrids, brother the giant, was very endearing, graphically well done, and his fast friendship with Hermione was sincere and heart-warming.
Despite cutting much from the book, the movie makers stayed true to the story as they have through all the movies. The Order of the Phoenix, though an important turning point in the whole Harry and Hogwarts saga, has been my least favorite of the books and probably my least favorite movie as well. There was much less in the way of high adventure and excitement and NO quiddith what-so-ever. Still, the movie was well done, it's fun seeing the same kids(actors) all growing up together. There was easily eight bucks of entertainment packed into the 2.5 hours of viewing time.
I give this movie, ummm, 3.5 stars ***8