Review on Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Movie)

The latest installment of the Harry Potter movie saga to be released on DVD is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

One thing to point out is that movies based on books are almost always not as entertaining, profound, emotionally stirring, etc. as the original book. This is inevitable, as a book can hold more information and can express any character's emotions through writing rather than just facial expressions or dialogue.The Half Blood Prince is no exception. Although not a terrible movie, it felt like the weakest among the Harry Potter Movie franchise to be released so far. David Yates (the director) may have had trouble converting the book into a movie, as The Half Blood Prince book is slower than the previous installments, and is setting up for Deathly Hallows and the search for the Horcruxes (fragments of Lord Voldemort's soul) rather than being a complete story to stand on it's own.

David Yates and Steve Kloves (the screenwriter) both did a decent job on character developement for this film, especially when it came to the romance. The love triangle taking place between Ron, Hermione, and Lavender Brown was probably the best part of the film. Jessie Cave (Lavender) did extrememly well acting as a clingy, slightly obsessive young witch and it was pretty funny to watch. Ginny and Harry's relationship on the other hand felt very forced, the scenes were awkward and the dialogue was plain weird. Ginny tying Harry's shoelace was odd and the kiss between them in the Room of Requirement was awkard to the extent of being embarassed for the actors. I appreciate the attempt to try and convey Dumbledore and Harry's relationship and how much it grew in the book, but it did not feel genuine.

As usual the amazing effects and detail put into the Harry Potter movies was present. The Weasley Twins' new joke shop "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes" was so colorful and chalk full of magic, and the entrance to the cave where Voldemort's locket horcrux was apparently stored was dark and foreboding.

There was also one scene that was added that was not in the book. Personally this doesn't bother me when this is done, as long as it contributes to the movie. The particular scene is when some of the Death Eaters (Lord Voldemort's followers) attack the Burrow (Ron's house) which then catches on fire and the Weasley family and friends stand outside and watch it burn. This scene balanced out the comedy and romance in the movie and gave the viewers a glimpse of the world outisde of Hogwarts, the impending danger of Voldemort, and what the outcome would be for many more wizarding families if Harry does not find all of the Horcruxes and destroys them.

The ending climax of the movie was not much of a climax. About four or five Death Eaters sneak into Hogwarts while everyone is asleep and Serverus Snape ends up killing Dumbledore, and he then tells Harry that he is the Half-Blood Prince. By this time I think many of the viewers even forgot about the Half-Blood Prince because it wasn't a big part of the movie (even though it was in the title...).

Overall Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is a rather weak version of the book. Also, it is difficult to succeed in a movie that is leading up to the finale. But I have big hopes for the final two movies, and am very much looking forward to them!