Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince: Review

I haven't done a movie review for a long time so bear with me.

The film is really about growing up. Six films is really a long way for the cast, that is why you can see much of its maturity in the film. The film forces you to reconnect with the previous movies (particularly the first and second)so as to remind you how the series had evolved since its beginnings. As if it had been done deliberately to prepare you for the final chapter, The Deathly Hallows coming out the next year.

They said the book was the darkest and most emotional of all seven books. The film is no exception to that.

First of all, it's the acting that surprises you. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) sheds his bully persona as we normally see in the previous films to reveal a tortured soul that is clearly showing personal conflict between life and duty inside. What else can we say about Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), finally gained more screen time than the earlier films, is now a powerful character that forces its way into the roster of main characters. I don't know if this is just me, but why do I sense a bit of the late Richard Harris in Dumbledore? I'm not saying Michael Gambon didn't make an original portrayal. Maybe it is the direction where we are treated to the spirit of the former Dumbledore for nostalgic effect.

The film really captured the different genres that surrounds this film. But what most people did not expect is its horror aspect. Terrifying in fact it is surprising that it is in a PG film. However, the romance plays its powerful part in the film. Yes, romance is the driving plot of the film.

Warming up, are we?

My favorite part of the review: the direction. David Yates's induction into the roster of Harry Potter directors makes him the perfect choice. In fact, maybe agree that Yates's style in his direction (as seen in Order of the Phoenix, remember that final battle? Woosh!) makes him the most prominent director in the series and of course, we want to see more of his work in the next addition, The Deathly Hallows.

What about the writing? Steve Kloves returns in the writers helm, creating a screenplay that pretty much sticks out from his earlier Harry Potter films, introducing a more thematic and emotional screenplay. Even in the beginning we are already treated with an idea of what the film will be like, like for example the film begins with Harry leaving the Ministry of Magic after the tragic loss of his godfather which introduces the emotional aspect of the film while later the scene where Harry is first seen in a Cafe talking to a waitress introduces the romance and adolescent aspects. Ok, you might think this is a pretty heavy movie. Well the comedic scenes tend to lighten up the emotional load. It does not forget the fact that this is meant to be a film enjoyed by all ages.

It was Luna Lovegood, not Tonks that saves Harry in the train.

For the pessimistic film-goers, if you had the read the book you might feel some of it should have been included into the film. But I tell you what, only if you are a diehard, must be true to the book, fanatic then I guess you might feel disappointed (in fact, you shouldn't start on watching the films if you're like that). I guess that scenes from the book missing in the film are, how do you say this.. fleshed out in new ways. Although, there are some aspects that tend to leave you questioning if you had not read the book. In my opinion, I hope when the DVD gets out they'd fill it with deleted scenes that might help a bit.

Some flashbacks of Tom Riddle were omitted, so you get the important bits only. "Dumbledore: Did I know that I just met the most dangerous dark wizard of all time? No." Aww, come on! That's Ralph Fiennes's nephew there! Don't you think he looks creepy enough??

Overall, the theme of romance and adolescence along with magic and fantasy created this film the most exciting in the series. The film is written and directed expertly which may well be the best Harry Potter film in the series.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Oh yes, Quidditch returns. How can not forget the intensity and the sportsmanship of Quidditch? But I have to be sorry, Harry, your time to shine really flew with the snitch. Ron is now the blazing Quidditch player.

Oh gee, Harry. I never thought I'd be here like this if it weren't for wizard sidekick gym. (Well, he does look muscular.)