Worried -- aren't we? -- that Harry Potter might cast his final spell in Book 7. But as many fans anguish over the possible demise of their hero, they can take entertaining solace in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," one of the most pleasurable films in the series.

It offers a passel of darkly compelling distractions. And in Daniel Radcliffe, Potterphiles can still enjoy the bespectacled, wiry hero, as he contends with the bureaucratic evil of the Ministry of Magic, the prospect of nemesis Lord Voldemort's return and his first romantic kiss -- with Cho (Katie Leung), the demure student who's clearly sweet on him.

The fifth Potter film has trimmed Rowling's garrulous, character-crowded novel (at nearly 900 pages, it's her chunkiest installment) into an urgently paced thriller that modulates adroitly between psychological darkness and cartoonish slapstick. But director David Yates, a British filmmaker who formerly worked in television, and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg, both newcomers to the "Harry" franchise, have not cut away the story's powerful thematic underpinnings.

We don't get as much meaningful time as we might like with Harry's inner circle -- his mates Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). But that's because the story focuses on so many provocative characters and creatures. The best character of all may be newcomer Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), a chilly emissary from the Ministry of Magic who joins Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to spy on Harry and his headmaster, Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon).

Staunton is part of an embarrassment of riches among the predominantly British cast. Silkily funereal Alan Rickman, as Severus Snape, makes contempt seem like a fashion statement. Gary Oldman is wonderfully sensitive as Harry's protective godfather, Sirius Black. And Emma Thompson conjures up Sybil Trelawney, the school's resident goofball. Such actors could make an ordinary drama seem as though it dripped directly from the nib of Shakespeare. But "Order of the Phoenix" is a ripping good story, and that magnifies the pleasure of watching these great actors work.

-- Desson Thomson (July 13, 2007)