MOVIE TITLE: 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

GENRE: Drama, Adventure

WHO'S IN IT: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, Helena Bonham Carter

RUNNING TIME: 138 minutes

RATING: Four out of five stars

BONUS FEATURES: Dubbed in English, French and Spanish. The DVD packet also includes the Harry Potter collector's catalogue.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: It's the latest instalment in the immensely successful Harry Potter series from J.K. Rowling. Potter fans need no introduction, but just in case you've been living somewhere outside civilisation for the past five years, the Harry Potter movies follow the boy wizard along his quest for selfhood and towards his ultimate glory.

The Order of the Phoenix, for which the fifth Potter movie is named, is a secret society formed to prepare for battle against the inevitable return of the evil Lord Voldemort, Harry's arch nemesis and eternal threat to the balance of the wizarding world.

However, the Ministry of Magic is decidedly obstinate and refuses to believe or support the idea of the evil Lord's return.

Harry's insistence on the truth of this pits the ministry officials against him (the wonderfully sinister Dolores Umbridge brings the ministry's backwardness into perspective) and alienates him from some of his peers, who think he's a bit loony.

Harry is also growing up and is in that delicate place between boyhood and manhood called 'teenage', which makes his mental health even more tenuous. He is confused and tortured by his visions and yearns more than ever for a connection with 'family'.

The movie permeates with dark themes that reflect Harry's mental state. This time the battle between good and evil is not only played out in the halls of Hogwarts or in the Department of Mysteries, but deep within the recesses of the boy's mind. His connection with Voldemort is reinforced and it is this connection that provides the biggest challenge for the boy wizard.

LONG STORY SHORT: With the movie running just over two hours long there is much to get through, but it is not unbearable. It provides as much of a roller-coaster ride as a one would expect on the magical broomstick.

Harry and Dumbledore's army battle Lord Voldemort and his 'Death Eaters' in yet another terrifying wizarding war that is not free from casualties.

THE REEL LOW-DOWN: If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series, you will love this latest instalment on DVD.

- Alicia Roache

DVD Provided courtesy of CariHome Entertainment.