Review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) by William C — 04 Jul 2015

Rating-8/10.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth time we see Harry Potter in film and oh what an emotionally dark year. This movie seemingly changes the entire series, makes it completely new and refreshing, mixing comedy with the dark parts, fun little adventures with teenage love. The movie isn't airtight but it seems this is a step up from the previous two in the series and one I feel really showcases the very best of what Harry and co have to offer, even if you are only seeing Harry Potter for the first time now.

I said about the darkness and it seems to run through the entire movie it seems, with splotches of even black comedy in some places. This is the way in which I feel you should make a fantasy movie, obviously with such a massive budget not many get this kind of opportunity but this truly shows how to do it well. The story runs a long nicely and our three heroes bring into the game teenage love, which becomes a recurring theme of this, as well as the scary threat that dark forces present.

Daniel Radcliffe completely puts himself into a new gear here, turning from a young boy wizard into near fully grown man, as Dumbledore remarks "I think you need a shave Harry", it shows how far all have come in this. Now this is the kind of movie that of course has top class acting but I felt for the first time ever in the Harry Potter franchise that the young actors(such as Grint, Watson, Felton etc) actually stand up toe to toe with the likes of Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and the such, it's great stuff and the best acted of the series so far.

Now I can't hide that I wasn't too keen on the script, but only when it works alongside David Yates and his direction. Some scenes for me seemed like I have seen before, too obvious. What I mean is there are times when scenes are just too set up, they don't flow enough and although I like Yates and his direction(especially the end half), the script isn't the best of the adaption's from Steve Kloves. There is very little surprise this movie received nominations such as in the Cinematography and special effects, this movie blends the technical side beautifully, making this a swift movie, where the scenes can cut fast or cut slow, but either way it works perfectly.

Now one thing Harry Potter films do well is get the design part right, and yet again this is absolutely no exception, the sets get bigger and better, the lighting and again the effects get more pin point on to accuracy. I think the sinister kind of background to this movie makes the sets more dark but work better, the earlier films in the series had dark design sure they did, but this one is the first where the emotion matches the set, and then doesn't look silly either.

So what is there to look out for in this one, you'd think after having five before this, Potter movies would be getting faded and dull, not in my opinion and also in most others minds I have seen too. I mentioned Tom Felton among the young cast who get better and he is one of the stand out people here, new addition Jim Broadbent gives this his extra touch and brings in to the series a whole lot of new comedy, but also more serious and suspicious behaviour etc. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is long but worth the watch, and could become one of if not your favourite of the entire franchise.