Nine long years since the first Harry Potter movie hit the screens across the world but the enthusiasm refuses to die down.
‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ the much-anticipated sixth installment of the Harry Potter franchise has finally arrived after the longest break - almost two years!
(The first 30 minutes of this film can also be seen in 3-D in select theaters)
Q : Should I go for it this weekend ?
Ans : Just rush for it if you think that you are the most optimistic person on this planet.
Sad to say that the film does not live up to the expectations of Potter fanatics. Those who may have seen the previous five installments or read JK Rowling’s books might get disappointed.
Director David Yates’ cinematic adaptation and story telling skills contain number of flaws that cannot be ignored which makes this multi-dimensional film difficult to interpret - But it is visually enchanting!
I totally understand that a book and a film are two different mediums and thus cannot be compared or treated in the same way. But the purpose of both the mediums is to tell a story & at the end of it all... to bring out the characters - but ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ disappoints a bit there. Production-wise the film is better in some places but worse in some.
Coming to the plot, this sixth installment is probably the darkest of the Potter films so far as suspense builds up right from the beginning but fails to keep you engaged throughout.
In Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) are best pals. Harry's biggest challenge in the school is a secret assignment by Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle with Lord Voldemort (who surprisingly doesn't appear in the entire movie). Dumbledore needs Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort's defences critical information known only to Hogwarts' former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent). With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague Professor Slughorn into returning to his previous post with promises of more money and the chance to teach Harry.
Harry's long friendship with Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) is growing into something deeper, but standing in the way is Ginny's boyfriend and her big brother Ron. But Ron's has his own romantic entanglements with Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) lavishing her affections on him. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. 
So that distinguishes this movie from its prequels – the routine good v/s bad fight is sidelined and navigates onto the candy floss romance that begins in Hogwarts. The film takes the form of a teenage love story – I suppose this should not come as an obstruction for the viewers who came to see Harry’s extravagant magical world!
Daniel Radcliffe seems to be losing his magic as Harry Potter as he appears uncomfortable in the role of a student with his broad shoulders and debonair looks. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson on the other hand, still bear signs of innocence and haven't been completely swept away by the air of teenage romance.
About the special effects – they are absolutely amazing, and one of the best parts about these films if you’re a fan of the books is seeing things you imagined in your head coming to life – the magical ropes of the Unbreakable Vow, Slughorn as a couch, Hermione’s attack-by-birds on Ron, the opening attack on London's Millennium Bridge – everything is a visual treat.
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ will be the concluding volume to be split into two movies that will hit most probably in late 2010 and summer 2011. Warner Brothers Pictures have made almost $4.5 billion in international box office till date from this series.
So guyz on the whole ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ is a very slowly paced movie but the dark alleys, dingy cupboards, mysterious tonics and life threatening spells – will definitely be a magical experience – provided that you keep your patience throughout the 153 minutes!
Rating : 2.5/5
Reviewed by : Ashish Gharde
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Running Time : 2 hours 33 minutes.
Liked the film or was it a boring affair ? Anything that you would like to share about the movie or the review ? Drop in your comments and share your thoughts!
CAST & CREW
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Jim Broadbent (Professor Horace Slughorn), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid), Michael Gambon (Prof. Albus Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Prof. Severus Snape), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Jessie Cave (Lavender Brown), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Tom Riddle, age 11) and Frank Dillane (teenage Tom Riddle).
Director : David Yates
Producer : David Heyman and David Barron
Writer : Steve Kloves, based on the book by J. K. Rowling
Director of photography : Bruno Delbonnel
Editor : Mark Day
Music : Nicholas Hooper
Production Designer : Stuart Craig
Visual Effects Supervisor : Tim Burke
Make-up and Creature Effects : Nick Dudman
Released by Warner Brothers Pictures.
