There are two different ways to look at this movie – as a film fan and as Harry Potter fan. These are two separate perspectives because the film series is slightly askew from the seven books. The films are about Harry and his journey, they are energetic, primarily warm in their inflection, with pinches of darkness and mystery – but the books are long, tense, thrilling adventures that focus far more on the adult characters and their stories than the films ever have. This description can of course be applied to the Half Blood Prince too.
As a film fan, Half Blood Prince delivers everything you would expect from a modern blockbuster – fantastic special effects and action sequences, humour to suit both mature and immature tastes, a hint of romance and an old fashioned struggle between good and evil.
However, what separates Half Blood Prince from the standard blockbuster template is how successful it is as getting inside your heart – this is a combination of well developed characters (and the relationships between them), and the actors that portray them. Particularly the supporting cast, who stand out far more in Half Blood Prince than ever before. Michael Gambon as Dumbledore and Alan Rickman as Snape are especially spellbinding on screen. Though it’s more of a tease than anything else as you’re left wishing the camera and dialogue would linger a little longer away from Harry, Ron and Hermione – something the books are never afraid of doing.
As a fan of the books I wasn’t disappointed by this adaptation because it is as entertaining and enchanting as the novel. It also manages to translate to film the tension and emotion of the principal scenes. However, it’s hard not to notice there are scenes cut from the movie that are crucial to the overall story arc, though I suspect these will be integrated into the first part of the Deathly Hallows movies. Bearing in mind that the book is especially long, I think this is a fair representation of the story. It’s a little less dramatic and ambitious in comparison to the novel, but it successfully paves the way for the next movie installment.
Overall, Half Blood Prince will leave you wanting more, a definite sign of success for a long running movie series – if this is just a teaser of things to come, Deathly Hallows is going to be absolutely epic.
I rewatched Order of the Phoenix with my kids the other evening. Although Yates kept a good grip on the material, that entry was a bit humourless, in my opinion, I hear there’s more smiles in this new movie so that’s a good thing. Thanks for this well-informed review…
… ‘like Snape, do you?
Seeing this tonight, so excited
I got to see this last night. I loved the books (still do in fact) and they way they matured over time with their original audience.
I feel the films also have done the same. The Half Blood Prince is the film in the series I think that stands out from the rest in the growth of the main characters and the supporting characters too.
Rupert Grint especially stands out as providing an excellent performance.
Its also good to see Daniel Radclife mature as an actor and I feel in this film he is completely relaxed in his portrayal of Harry Potter.
Emma Watson has toned down the annoying aspect of Hermione and, has to be said, turned into a very attractive young lady!
Big Kudos has to got to Tom Feltons as Draco Malfoy. For me he really gets to show the complex aspects of the character. You need to see an interview of the real Tom to appreciate how good an actor he is in portraying Draco.
In fact I can’t really point out any weak or unbelivable characters in the film.
Perhaps it is because we are used to the world and expect the best effects but it was incredibly easy to slip into this magical world and accept old characters and places as old friends. But lets not underestimate the worth of this film just becasue of what has gone before.
Not only for me possibly the best Harry Potter to date but one of the better films this year.
Can’t wait till tonight! For the last couple of years, I’ve been reading all the books for my daughter (now 9) and we just finished HBP about 2 weeks ago, so we are so looking forward to this. In fairness, I think I’m more excited than she is!
Ah..amazing!!! Just amazing!
@Ken Snape is one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. As for humour in HBP there is definitely far more on offer.
@Peter A great review of the movie, thanks for posting. I also thought Slughorn was especially good, very well cast.
@TheQ47 When I have kids of my own I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.
Awh I loved it!! It’s easily one of my favourites out of the series!!! But yeah, I do wish they’d concentrated on the adults more, like the way they just threw Lupin and Tonks in there! Plus I really didn’t think they built up The Half Blood Prince well enough. Like in the book, you’re guessing for ages and you think it’s Lily or maybe Voldemort and then it’s barely mentioned (bar him carrying it with him everywhere) and then it’s just thrown in at the end as a ‘by the way …’
Also I would’ve liked to see a funeral!
But yes, with the exeption of some small things like that, it really was just great!
I was bewitched by this hypnotic review! Thank you.