Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince Review
Posted by Jeffrey Harris on 07.15.2009
Harry and the gang are back in their latest adventure to battle Death Eaters, dark potions, and hormones.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Directed By: David Yates Written By: Steve Kloves; Based on the book and characters written by J.K. Rowling Runtime: 153 minutes MPAA Rating: Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
Harry Potter - Daniel Radcliffe Ron Weasley - Rupert Grint Hermione Granger - Emma Watson Albus Dumbledore - Michael Gambon Severus Snape - Alan Rickman Bellatrix Lestrange - Helena Bonham Carter Horace Slughorn - Jim Broadbent Ginny Weasley - Bonnie Wright Narcissa Malfoy - Helen McCrory Draco Malfoy - Tom Felton Luna Lovegood - Evanna Lynch Lavender Brown - Jessie Cave Hagrid - Robbie Coltrane Professor Minerva McGonagall - Dame Maggie Smith Professor Filius Flitwick - Warwick Davis Remus Lupin - David Thewlis Neville Longbottom - Matthew Lewis Fred Weasley - James Phelps George Weasley - Oliver Phelps Cormac McLaggen - Freddie Stroma
In an incredibly dull and borderline awful summer movie season, the always reliable Harry Potter franchise is back to salvage the summer for us. Following the events of The Order of The Phoenix, Harry has lost a very close friend, ally, and family member -- his godfather, Sirius Black. The forces of Voldemort, the enemy to the world of magic, are moving and making their presence known in the muggle world as well, and kidnapping subjects. Hogwarts' headmaster, Albus Dumbledore (Gambon), recruits Harry to help him find Horace Slughorn (Broadbent) in order to recruit him to teach at Hogwarts. The reason? Slughorn used to be the teacher of one Tom Riddle, the man destined to become Voldemort. Dumbledore charges Harry to get close to Slughorn during the school year in order to find secrets that could possibly piece together the unlikely defeat of Lord Voldemort.
While Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes in the last two movies) is not seen during the movie, thanks to director David Yates' strong direction and gray, moody atmosphere his presence is very much felt. Voldemort has also charged Draco Malfoy (Felton) with a sinister task. A task that involves the also seemingly sinister Severus Snape (Rickman) to take an Unbreakable Vow that means certain death if he or Draco are to fail.
At Hogwarts, Harry also grows closer with Weasley younger sibling and Quidditch teammate, Ginny (Wright). Ginny clearly returns Harry's affections as well despite dating another student. Ron's also got his hands full with his new, incredibly needy girlfriend, Lavendar (Cave) much to the chagrin of Harry and Ron's best friend, braniac Hermione (Watson). Hermione's affection for Ron over the previous movies has developed into something much more, but good luck getting anywhere with a nutter like Ron.
One problem with the movie is that early on it introduces a huge plot development in Voldemort's Death Eaters causing destruction in the muggle world. Unfortunately the movie introduces the idea early in the film, but does nothing with it for the rest of the movie. Early in the franchise, the series made clear that mixing the world of magic and the muggle world is a huge no no, and anything done to threaten the existence of the magical world to muggles would put them in jeopardy. No one seems concerned at all that Voldemort is freely causing havoc in the muggle world and could expose the magical world's existence. Narratively this is a letdown because Voldemort threatening the muggle world considering Hermione's parents are muggles raises the stakes of the story. Shouldn't the Ministy of Magic be scared out of their wits about this? Another issue is that the Death Eaters are snatching shop owners from Diagon Alley and forcing people to join them. Again the story avoids delving more into this issue, but hopefully these ideas that were introduced but then promptly ignored will be addressed in the two Deathly Hallows sequels.
The growth of Radcliffe as an actor over the course of these movies has been astounding, and not just in seeing Harry grow and develop as a character which is equally compelling. Harry's a bonafide adult now. He's pursuing the fairer sex, and now he's captain of the Quidditch Team, calling the shots. Harry is no longer an upstart fledgling. Harry also has to face his own dark desires and temptations when he inherits the potions booked that formerly belonged to "The Half-Blood Prince." While Harry doesn't really question the identity of this prince, he's more than eager to use the modified spells and concoctions in the book that begin attracting Harry to a very dark place. While the ultimate outcome is never in any doubt, Radcliffe manages to make the journey incredibly tasty.
Gambon, who came onto the role of Dumbledore in The Prisoner of Azkaban after the passing of the late Richard Harris, also has a lot more to do in this movie and finally comes into his own with the role. Gambon does a great job in helping make Dumbledore a much more active and important character in the story this time rather than just expository window dressing in the last several films.
The 411: While the movies at times do feel somewhat suspicious, this fantastic looking cast and their amazing chemistry gets the job done once again. Watching Radcliffe perform and grow as an actor is spectacular. And the movie definitely sets the stage for what looks to be a finale of epic proportions in The Deathly Hallows. Be forewarned, bring a tissue.
"In an incredibly dull and borderline awful summer movie season..."
Dude are you fucking kidding me? Wolverine, Terminator, Star Trek, Transformers... are you just TRYING to make the review sound more dramatic? Please...
Posted By: Ugh (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Hey Ugh are YOU fucking kidding??? Wolverine, Terminator, and Transformers ALL sucked balls. Star Trek was a good movie though. Not spectacular, but a very good film.
Posted By: Ugh Can Suck a Cock (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 01:04 AM
Yeah to bad Wolverine was mediocre and Transformers was terrible. Didn't see terminator but I heard that was also bad. I have heard good things about Star Trek though.
Posted By: Guest#8715 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 02:10 AM
"Hey Ugh are YOU fucking kidding??? Wolverine, Terminator, and Transformers ALL sucked balls. Star Trek was a good movie though. Not spectacular, but a very good film. "
I was just about to say how everything but Star Trek got virtually panned by critics. The reviewer is right about a lackluster summer movie season, compared to last year this sucks. The Dark Knight alone was better than all the moves you mentioned (barring star trek) combined
Posted By: J.J.T (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Isn't only Transformers concidered a Summer movie
Posted By: Iceberg (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 02:43 AM
Stop sucking critics balls and form your own opinion of movies.
Transformers was a decent movie. Is it going to win any awards? No. But for goodness sake you all are taking this hate for it too far.
Posted By: geez (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 03:02 AM
Hey Ugh are YOU fucking kidding??? Wolverine, Terminator, and Transformers ALL sucked balls. Star Trek was a good movie though. Not spectacular, but a very good film.
Posted By: Ugh Can Suck a Cock (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 01:04 AM
^this
Extra points for the awesome name as well.
Posted By: Showster (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 03:28 AM
this movie kinda sucked gotta say
Posted By: Guest#6626 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 03:32 AM
Half-Blood Prince blows Transformers away! The parts that are supposed to be funny in the movie are actually funny, unlike the attempts in TF2... I didn't want the movie to end, an hour into TF2 I was ready to go. Radcliffe puts a killing curse on Lebeauf in the acting dept. Jeffrey, did you notice the end of the movie when Harry messed with the ring, and he did that neck twitch thing like Voldemort? Nice touch I thought..specially since, like you said, the character himself wasn't in the movie, but you could see him everywhere.
Posted By: Guest#8831 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:00 AM
"Watching Radcliffe perform and grow as an actor is spectacular."
tbh, if anything he's regressed. The guy is hard to watch.
Posted By: Daz (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Dude, Terminator was awful. Zero story, just Christian Bale attempting to carry a ton of shit over his shoulder and failing miserably because of a WEAK script and just overall lack of logical creativity.
Transformers was even more BANG BOOM POW! from Bay. All sizzle, no steak.
Wolverine was just...blegh. So bad.
Posted By: Moron hater (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:42 AM
What? No 'not in the book!!!!' hatred comments yet? I'm suprised.
David Yates has achieved independence from the books at this point. This movie did the deed well. Good cinematic writing cancels out the weaker parts of the story, all the while putting the pivotal parts of the book on screen in a way that can be looked as delicious copy-pasta from the pages.
I was extremely impressed by this. Blows the last two out of the water. Easilly the best movie of the series to date. Tomorrow for viewing numero dos
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:51 AM
No, no. No critic sucking off here, Transformers was fucking awful.
Posted By: Guest#5736 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 06:08 AM
8.5? Are you serious? They missed more of the books purpose in showing Voldemort's back story. They made it entirely about sex. They royally screwed up the ending.
Posted By: Adam J. Bulava (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Transformers was a good popcorn movie just a little drawn out. Definitely a let down for fan boys but in no way is it a bad movie. Its just a michael bay movie lol.
Posted By: mirer (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 07:45 AM
I thought Wolverine was a pretty good movie. I don't really understand what more people wanted out of it.
Posted By: Captain Patterson (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Stop sucking critics balls and form your own opinion of movies.
Transformers was a decent movie. Is it going to win any awards? No. But for goodness sake you all are taking this hate for it too far.
Posted By: geez (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 03:02 AM
Posted By: today (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Stop sucking critics balls and form your own opinion of movies.
Transformers was a decent movie. Is it going to win any awards? No. But for goodness sake you all are taking this hate for it too far.
Posted By: geez (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 03:02 AM
Got to love the whole well I think this way because the critics think this way. Fact is good movies or not each movie was highly anticipated and highly received over their first week. My guess is that they were far from boring. By the way ask any 8 year old if Transformers was boring or not.
Posted By: today again (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:28 AM
This movies bored the ever loving hell out of me. It was a 2 hour 15 minute snooze fest that gave you nothing for your time. Thank god I didnt have to pay to see it.
Posted By: Marius423 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I went to see The Half Blood Prince last night and soeaking as someone who has read all of the books and still enjoyed the first five movies, I must say that this is the absolute worst of the series so far. Which is truly sad seeing as I consider it to be based off of the best of the books.
Now i understand that i shouldn't complain about the movie's missteps that are due to time constraints, but unlike the other movies, things that are omitted or barely touched upon in this movie are things that really needed to be present for this movie to succeed.
When you really look at it, there are three major plotlines throughout the book, with several other less present yet still important issues as well. Some of these issues are the aforementioned Death Eaters wreaking havoc in the muggle world, very important in the book, barely mentioned in the movie. Another is the revlation thet Voldamort has split his sole into seven peices(through the use of Horcrux's), something that is very important, but it doesn't come up until the later half of the book. It's barely explained in the movie. They just kinda went, "oh yeah, he can't die til you destroy these things, bye now".
But the really important three apects are as follows;
Harry's acquistion of the Half Blood Princes Potions book and the effect it has on him and as friends. Harry is pulled in different directions on whether or not to use the book as Hermoine thinks it's dangerous and possibly belongs to the Dark Lord himself, and Ron thinks it's brilliant and seems to enjoy watching Hermoine squirm every time Haryy uses it and bests her in class. And Harry is convinced that the book belongs to his father, who was an auror and exceptionally well in potions. The sixth book also has a heavy emphasis on the three long time friends finding out who the used textbook originally belonged to. And there's also the effect it has on Harry after he uses a curse from the book to attack Malfoy. None of that is even mentioned in the movie.
Then theres the whole Draco must kill Dumbledore, it is the Dark lords will thing. Present in the movie, but no wehere near as impactful. You don't even get to listen to the conversation on the train before Draco breaks Harry's nose.
And most importantly, the book is about the life of the boy known as Tom Riddle before he became Voldemort as well as his family. They never mention his Pureblood grandpa and his malicious mnistreating of his daughter(Tom's mother) nor do they metion his mother at all. Not one word about her infatuation with the man that would be his father. NOTHING!
Personally, I think they should have split this into two movies as well as the Deathly Hallows and it would have been much better, event the best of the serues uf done correctly. But thats just my opinion.
Posted By: Red Cloud (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Dear optimus prime
enjoy it while you can, this weekend we are coming for your ass
sincerely
Harry Potter
Posted By: armin (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I love when somebody lists things to try and counter an opinion someone else has. Yes, clearly the original reviewer/writer simply managed to miss all the things the commentator listed, rather than use those same things to form the contrary opinion in the first place. The commentator has provided a great service in listing these things.
Posted By: Serp (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Half-Blood Prince blows Transformers away! The parts that are supposed to be funny in the movie are actually funny, unlike the attempts in TF2... I didn't want the movie to end, an hour into TF2 I was ready to go. Radcliffe puts a killing curse on Lebeauf in the acting dept. Jeffrey, did you notice the end of the movie when Harry messed with the ring, and he did that neck twitch thing like Voldemort? Nice touch I thought..specially since, like you said, the character himself wasn't in the movie, but you could see him everywhere.
Posted By: Guest#8831 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:00 AM
I actually didn't remember that part happening, but its definitely another great point.
Posted By: Jeffrey (Registered) on July 15, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I agree with what Red Cloud is saying. So much of the important stuff of the book was left out. 2 Parts would have really done this book justice. More of Riddle and effects of potions book would have been what I personally would've wanted. But on the other hand, despite what's left out, had a lot of fun watching the movie. Did like the humor in it. The releationship of Ron/Hermioine and Harry/Ginny needed to be shown, didn't see that it needed precedent over the omitted stuff though. and I noticed the twitch thing Harry did at the end with the necklace that resembled some of Voldermorts movements that another poster here mentioned.
Posted By: RSN99 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Hmmm, well I was going to go watch this after work tonight but I don't know now. The review didn't say much, but the comments section really did, and not much good.
BTW, Transformers did suck balls, and not just because critics said so, but because it really did. Its not often I leave a movie feeling really un-easy about the money I spent to see it, but I did there. The Hangover and Star Trek have been the only great movies of the summer season so far.
Posted By: Butters4Prez (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Transformers was decent?
Please, if you think it's decent you're the type of guy who should go watch fireworks instead of a movie
Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I really enjoyed the movie. I know die hard book fans won't like it but, nothing we can do about what's in or not in a movie. Yes, I've read the books...Still, a very good time was had by all in the theater.
Posted By: wcb (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 05:04 PM
I love how wcb says "I know die hard fans won't like it but,nothing we can do about what's in or not in the movie." So,die hard fans won't like it,yet every single Transformers-hating comment on here just says "Well,it sucks cause it just sucks.
Posted By: jonah (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 06:26 PM
This review itself seems good. Solid, open to interpretation.
I, personally, felt the film had some major pacing and content issues. It was jumping back and forth a lot, beat its audience over the head with its "comedy" and fairly sudden "Who are the characters going to end up with?" teen drama, and the climax of the film was sort of a, "Here's your parting gift." climax. The drama of the confrontations was sucked out by wide shots and spell effects we've seen time and time again by now (even within this film alone).
The film starts with a brief scene that seemingly emphasizes that the film will be somewhat about Harry struggling with his notoriety, then that's almost completely dropped. However, it does establish his relationship with Dumbledore and that is explored decently throughout the film. It's essentially the backbone, in fact.
But the film's still full of unnecessary soft-lighting, many artistic but ultimately pointless (and LONG) elements of cinematography, and almost every potentially shocking moment or revelation contrived or so obviously choreographed to shock...that even if one is startled, they likely feel more like someone just kicked them in the shin than they do that some new storyline element left them stunned.
I ultimately can't say I enjoyed this film much. "Entertainment" (that is, forced comedy) at the expense of genuine storyline elements which would have increased the overall tension and drama of the whole arc of this given film...ultimately prove to be remotely stagnant elements. A little less comedy and a little more substance would have been welcome.
I'm not saying it's a bad film, in my view. It's technically sound for the most part, it conveys some storyline fairly well-despite constantly veering into "unnecessary awkward relationship moments" over and over again to "entertain" and clarify who's probably ending up with whom, and the acting is suitable. Jim Broadbent, in particular, does well. We get to see a bit more of some of the side characters, too.
But I ultimately left this film looking at all of the lost potential...given that so much of it was full of repetitive elements. I mean, one of the major tenants of drama is that you keep upping the ante and this film really doesn't do that for itself or the film series as a whole.
It kind of felt like, to some extent, they were just "filling the time" while waiting to make the next two films. Like they had a bullet listing of points to hit upon and then just hit those points over and over and left out any concept of a genuine dramatic arc outside of a bit of Dumbledore/Harry.
I'm sure many will be pleased with the film, and I can easily see how. I essentially wasn't-and I think it's LARGELY due to a SLOPPY screenplay and a few fairly minor miscues otherwise.
Posted By: Ash (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Dear optimus prime
enjoy it while you can, this weekend we are coming for your ass
sincerely
Harry Potter
Posted By: armin (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM
pfft. Yeah right. LIKE ALWAYS this film will start strong and have absolutely no legs. It will not beat TF 2 just like it didn't beat TF1 in 2007. You can quote me on that.
Posted By: JP (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 07:41 PM
"pfft. Yeah right. LIKE ALWAYS this film will start strong and have absolutely no legs. It will not beat TF 2 just like it didn't beat TF1 in 2007. You can quote me on that."
Posted By: JP (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 07:41 PM
well, the first Transformers did not suck as hard as revenge of the fallen
Posted By: armin (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 07:56 PM
I guess when people talk about an awful Movie summer people keep forgetting
about Watchmen and Star Trek !
Posted By: Guest#5516 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Watchmen was released on March 6. That is not summer.
I love how all of you use dollars earned as justification for how good a movie is. Watchmen did not make a lot of money, but was great. Transformers did, but had the most insipid and offensive crap I have seen. It was a movie that belonged in the 90s with the rest of Bay's dreck.
But who am I kidding? You will all say Transformers ruled bc of the popularity.
Posted By: Guest#6338 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I guess when people talk about an awful Movie summer people keep forgetting
about Watchmen and Star Trek !
Posted By: Guest#5516 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:02 PM
and what months did those films come out in?
Posted By: ohmyumbrella (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:57 PM
I hate Yates. But having said that I think he did a great job for the first 2 hours... The climax though was freaking awful and anti climatic... no battles, no suspense, soft music, oh and Harry just stands around and watches Dumbledore die and does nothing... then 2 seconds later he is chasing 8 death eaters down by Hagrids with no problem...
Yates has serious issues with continuity (bridge was full of 100s of people then falls into the water and in the money shot there are no people on the bridge), and the climax sucked (Death Eaters walk in and blow stuff up with no one defending Hogwarts the most secure place in the Wizard world? Really?), but the playful banter was fun.
Posted By: Eh123 (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I hated this movie with a passion, it ended and i was like WTF? I'm not a huge harry potter fan, i liked the books and the movies and thought well might as well take my date to see this one. Well i must say i wish i'd spent my money of Arby's. Cause that movie was certainly not worth the cost of admission. It was so pointless. Also i'm not wizard expert but when the Weasly's house was burning... They're wizards say Aquafinarosa or somthing and put it out. God that bugs me, at the beggining of the movie Dumbeldor put a whole house back together. Also the way they just had Snape walk up and kill him, what? wasn't it the Dark Lord's demand for Malfoy to do it? So we've got a storyline that's all over the place and then we have some bad editing at parts. I will say the actors weren't bad, the drunk scenes and the potion scenes were done quite well and were worth a laugh or two, but for the most part i found this an uneventful movie. Ginny and Harry, and Hermone and Ron didn't even get together officially, which was pratically the only hype in the whole damn movie.
Posted By: Jared (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 11:10 PM
What I find fastinating are the people that for some reason that a professional could get a decent book have to throw out insults at anyone who might like a movie they did not enjoy themselves. Hey next time don't go to a movie that if it were not for the movie spent on children's tickets would go totally into the tank. I just bet as soon as they post such diatribes the first thing they do is tell their fellow cronies, "Hey go check out how I made those guys on 411 look stupid".
Posted By: guest (Guest) on July 16, 2009 at 09:22 AM
I saw this movie today. Alot of the great parts of the book is left out. But it was still a decent movie. Also Transformers 2 F*cking sucked.
Posted By: spike (Guest) on July 17, 2009 at 03:02 AM
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