Dvd
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The sixth of the series, The Half Blood Prince fittingly revisits Harry Potter in his sixth year at Hogwarts. He discovers an old book of potions at the academy library that used to belong to the half-blood prince, teaching him new spells both useful and dangerous. At the same time he starts private tuition with Professor Dumbledore, learning the secrets of Voldemort's past in an effort to find a method through which to defeat him. He also finds himself stuck in the middle of Ron and Hermione's deteriorating friendship when Ron starts dating Gryffindor student Lavender, whose precocious attitude isn't everyone's cup of tea. A busy boy is our Harry.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Julie Walters, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Robbie Coltrane
Directed by David Yates ('Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix')
Written by Steve Kloves (based on the novel by JK Rowling)
Fantasy, Adventure, Adaptation | 2hr 33mins | Rated (M) | contains fantasy violence | Origin: UK, USA | Official Site »
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The Talk
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Flicks review
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3
The magic has dimmed in Harry Potter’s latest adventure. Gone are many fantastical elements (dragons, house elves, shifting staircases) of previous instalments. The resulting film is more mature, more thoughtful, more brooding, but also more dull.
To be fair, director David Yates (following on from great work on Order of the Phoenix) does an admirable job of transforming one of the less memorable books of the series into a cinematic experience. With cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel (Amelie), he makes Half-Blood Prince look beautiful. You could take any frame from the film and hang it on the wall.
But a film comprised of conversations in corridors is hardly going to get the pulse racing and at two and a half hours the relative lack of action starts to show. Even the tentative teen romance, a novelty for the series, starts to get tiring after a while. Highlights that make a trip to Hogwarts worthwhile this time round are the terrific performances from Jim Broadbent as professor Slughorn, Michael Gambon as Dumbledore and Alan Rickman taking centre stage as Snape.
As the finish line comes into sight, the picture begins to get interesting with a skirmish on a zombie-infested lake and a surprisingly affecting climax. Half-Blood Prince is a well-crafted adaptation with stunning visual effects but it’s ultimately just padding to build up the tension for Potter’s grand finale.SHARE:
The people's reviews
52 reviews
Press Reviews
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Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
I admired this Harry Potter. It opens and closes well, and has wondrous art design and cinematography as always, only more so.
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Empire (UK)
3
We’re marking time before the final battle between Good and Evil, with the promised darkness sitting somewhat clumsily with teen romance and humour.
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Guardian (UK)
Although a touch ungainly, his film is solidly constructed, with lots of fine effects. If, as Potter approaches his final confrontation with Voldemort, the wizardly battles begin to resemble Lord of the Rings, it's hardly a handicap; this is tried and tested cinematic language, and does all it needs.
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Hollywood Reporter
A jerky start of exposition and backstory gives way to vigorous storytelling in the latest chapter of Harry Potter.
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Los Angeles Times
This one-of-a-kind film cycle has become as comfortable and reliable as an old shoe, providing a degree of dependability that's becoming increasingly rare.
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NZ Herald (Francesca Rudkin)
4
A good solid effort from director David Yates, the perfect lead-in to a grand finale.
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Otago Daily Times (Christine Powley)
4
Admirable acting to be seen on the part of all, however the ending may not impress.
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Total Film (UK)
3
One of the Potter franchise’s breeziest entries yet offers flashes of darkness but lashings of teen tension. Less a movie than a set-up for next year’s epic conclusion. Bring on V-day.
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TV3 (Kate Rodger)
4
The modern day JK Rowling legend is in good hands, with plenty more money to be made, and fans to please.
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Variety (USA)
Dazzlingly well made and perhaps deliberately less fanciful than the previous entries, this one is played in a mode closer to palpable life-or-death drama than any of the others and is quite effective as such.
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