Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Awesome Movie

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I remember watching this in theaters with a friend, and by the time the movie was over and we were having dinner together, she fired a whole bunch of questions at me about the plot. She never read the books but she did enjoy the previous movies and was asking me about what she missed. I was happy to fill her in on the details. This is one of those school drama type of films but it's dark and funny both. There were some scenes that were changed, but at least Luna Lovegood was back and we get to see her doing more. It's not a bad film, but it's my least favorite of the film saga along with Goblet of Fire. Still, it wasn't bad to watch in theaters.

Hp6I just finished watching all the Harry Potter films back to back to back to back. What a crazy trip. Before starting this review, here is my ranking, from best to worst:HP4 > HP8 > HP1 > HP6 > HP7 > HP2 > HP3 > HP5What helps put this film ahead of some of the other films is Alan Rickman's performance.

With the possible exception of the first book/movie combination in the Harry Potter series, each film adaption has done its share of cutting/editing from J.K. Rowling's original work. Luckily, this film version of "Half-Blood Prince" (other than its predecessor "Order of the Phoenix") manages to maintain its soul despite the inevitable cuts. For a basic plot summary, "Prince" sees Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) taking private lessons from Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), where they examine certain memories of a young Tom Riddle in order to be better prepared for his adult Lord Voldemort identity. At the same time, the trio of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermoine (Emma Watson) take the next crucial steps in their wizarding education by learning more advanced potion-making (under new Professor Slughorn(Jim Broadbent)) and even taking the first steps toward apparating. Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) take on larger roles in this installment, while Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) constantly lurks in the background. Like the novel, "Prince" is a great piece of fiction primarily because of all the Harry/Dumbledore interactions and their trips into the past of Voldemort. Despite one key "flashback" being completely cut out, the movie does a good job of showing those younger Riddle years. Essentially, the heart of the writing remains (unlike how it was completely cut out in "Phoenix"). The acting also continues to improve, what with Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson probably turning in their best performances to date. Felton as Malfoy also grows quite a bit in this one, and the Weasley characters are always fun to get back to. Almost completely stealing the show is a wonderful performance from Broadbent as Slughorn. Overall, "Half-Blood Prince" is a fine book-to-film adaption that will satisfy both the Potter-heads and the more casual fans of the series. Though I won't give any specific spoilers here, the end of the film very strongly hints that the action of the final movie(s) will largely take place outside of Hogwarts.

Hard-core fans of Harry Potter claim that movie franchise started well enough but it goes worse with every new movie. To me, as to someone who did not read the books, it is quite the opposite. Maybe they don't follow books as much as they should, but actors are growing up and acting improves with every movie, story is more and more interesting and directing and effects sustain same good level. Great entertainment for whole family.7,5/10.............................................