Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Let me preface this review by making the following statement: my opinion of the movie does not take into account any changes or comparisons to the book. My reason for this is two-fold. First, Harry Potter is both a film franchise and book series, and while the films are based on the books, there have been changes and omissions to give the viewer the best possible cinematic portrayal. So the movies should not be graded based on their depiction of the books. Secondly, they have to keep continuity between movies, so if a character or plot line is kept out of the films, they keep it out to be in harmony with the film franchise. Because of this principle, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an entertaining and pivotal movie.

The story is the turning point in the franchise, as Harry and Dumbledore seek to learn how to destroy Voldemort. Former Hogwarts professor Horace Slughorn has a distinct memory that could give Harry the information on how to destroy the Dark Lord, but Slughorn won’t give it up easily. At the same time, Draco Malfoy has been given a mission directly from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The person who ties both these plots together is Professor Snape, whose loyalties lie in question. The characters also face the realities of growing up and falling in love. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince matures the characters enough to prepare them for the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, which will be segmented into two movies.

At times the film is exceptionally dark. The audience can tell the weight and emotional toll Malfoy’s mission takes on him. The climax of the film is handled with a delicate blend of acceptance and shock. To be honest, this is a PG-13 movie that was kicked down to PG by infusing moments of levity including the humorous interaction between Ron and Lavender. The reason the movie is not exceptional though is because it serves as the set up for the final story. It answers questions from the past and sets up plots for the finale, but otherwise does not rise above anything other then a transition for both the characters and the story.

A great deal of controversy has arisen over the changes and omissions in the film from the 6th book. What was taken out was done so out of necessity and should not hurt the experience of the film. In terms of the movie series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince directs the series into the calm before the proverbial storm that is the last story, but as a film by itself it somewhat lacks the magic both Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix had. Characters such as Bellatrix and Lupin show up just enough to make you remember they were involved in the story somehow, but end up feeling underused. However, this happens in all series that garnish a vast number of characters. I enjoyed the film despite the flaws, and look forward to the final project.

Fanboyz Grade: B-