Plot-wise, unless you read the book, you'll have no idea what ground was made as they really don't go that far (or show it anyway) & ironically the "Order of the Phoenix" is largely cut out of the film. Harry's emotional "growing" is still the centerpiece as in the book. Even little Ginny was pretty prominent in certain scenes (hint hint). It's successful parts really made up for some of the bad screenwriting/editing (ugh, and some of the choices the screenwriter made were total crap) but I loved Umbridge, Luna and Bellatrix-perfectly cast. But if you have read it, this is film is pretty good (at least I thought so).
If you haven't read the book, I'm not sure this film will work that well for you. It's successful parts really made up for I basically agree with Stephanie Zacharek's review from. I basically agree with Stephanie Zacharek's review from.
Meeting secretly with a small group of students who name themselves "Dumbledore's Army", Harry teaches them how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts, preparing the courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that lies ahead. But Umbridge's "Ministry-approved" course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared to defend themselves against the Dark forces threatening them, so at the prompting of his friends Hermione and Ron, Harry is convinced to take matters into his own hands. Worse, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has appointed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the duplicitous Professor Dolores Umbridge. Worse, the Minister for Magic, In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts only to discover that much of the wizarding community has been led to believe that the story of the teenager's recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort is a lie, putting Harry's integrity in question. When Ron and Hermione notice Harry's scars, they are outraged but he refuses to go to Dumbledore, who has distanced himself from Harry since the summer.Summary: In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns for his fifth year of study at Hogwarts only to discover that much of the wizarding community has been led to believe that the story of the teenager's recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort is a lie, putting Harry's integrity in question. Umbridge and Harry immediately clash, as she is oblivious to Voldemort's return and punishes Harry for his 'lies' by forcing him to write a message with a magic quill, causing the words 'I must not tell lies' to be carved into the back of his hand. While at the Order's headquarters, Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, mentions that Voldemort is after an object which he did not have last time.Upon arrival at Hogwarts, Harry learns that Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge has appointed a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor: Dolores Umbridge, a senior Ministry official who refuses to teach practical magic due to her belief that Dumbledore is forming a rebellion against the Ministry. This encounter had a huge psychological effect on Harry – he has nightmares not only about what happened in the graveyard but also about the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. The Order of the Phoenix, a secret organisation founded by Albus Dumbledore, inform the now pending expulsion Harry that the Ministry of Magic is oblivious to Lord Voldemort's return under the Ministry's influence, The Daily Prophet has launched a smear campaign towards Harry and Dumbledore following Harry's encounter with Voldemort at the end of the previous year. Harry Potter is forced to defend himself against charges of using magic while underage, and in the presence of his Muggle cousin Dudley, after the two are attacked by Dementors.