Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Let me begin by saying I've never been a huge fan of these movies. I've always felt the starring actors really didn't meet the standards I expected, and the directors always left out parts I thought vital to the story. I heard people say that key elements were left out of this one too, so I naturally entered the theater with low expectations.

As the movie began, and the actors began to retake their roles, I felt the same hollow performances I'd seen in previous movies, particularly from Radcliffe. However, as the movie went on, I was pleasantly surprised that even Radcliffe's acting evolved during the course of the first thirty minutes. There was more substance, the dialogue was less blockish.

I don't recall the book very well, so I didn't bother trying to spot the things they left out. I think doing that made the movie a whole lot better. Without recalling exact details, the plot of the movie flowed well, since I remembered enough to connect the dots, while being simultaneously entertained by this re-telling of the story.

I make no secret of my attraction for Miss Emma Watson. I must say, of the three, I think she's grown the most as an actor during this series of movies. Her performance was really quite good (and as authentic as a witch can be). And, of course, she was just adorable through-out.

I'd also like to say, holy crap, the cinematography was amazing. The two best shot scenes were the battle in field near the Weasley's home, and the scene in the cave containing the Horcrux.

Also, as evidence of Radcliffe's acting ability, I present to you (that have seen the movie) the Luck Potion scene. Easily my favorite scene in the movie from the time he took the potion to the moment Slughorn relinquished his memory.

I will also admit that the gentleman playing Dumbledore performed brilliantly as well. I still think he should have taken a leaf from the original actor and intentionally slowed his speech just a bit, but otherwise he was excellent.

Alan Rickman was probably the luckiest casting role the producers made. He embodies Snape perfectly. The movies would not be the same without him.

Admitedly, I'm not a fan of the actress playing Ginny, but my second favorite scene in the movie was her and Harry in the Room of Requirement. Excellent direction and great acting. A short scene, but a gem none-the-less.

And lets face it, Luna Lovegood is the shit.

My rating: 9.5/10 (I think they should have reshot the first couple of scenes with the more experienced Radcliffe. I don't know what happened during the course of shooting this movie, but his shift from hollow actor to real actor is extremely noticeable.)

Favorite quote (of the ones I remember):
Ron: Did you and Ginny do it?
Harry: Wh-what?
Ron: You know, get rid of the book?
Harry: Oh, um, yeah, we did.

Wow Pyro...this is a great review. I agree with everything.

Spoiler:

I'd probably give the movie the same rating as you. It is an excellent film that I highly recommend.

I'm looking forward to seeing it. I'll be going next week sometime.

You won't be disappointed!

Gah! Bethany! Spoilers! ~Gah!~

Good review PyroMancer!

Sorry Steve....I edited it to say spoilers (not that it's much help to you now)

LOL! That is alright Bethany! You spoiled most of those in Chat before anyway! I actually forgot some of them, until you wrote them here though! LOL!

What can I say? I'm a spoilsport. Lol actually its hard for me to talk about Harry Potter without spoiling anything. I didn't ruin the movie for you though enough that you won't like it, scouts honor!

There is also a "spoilers" tag.

Code:

[spoiler]Spoilerish stuff goes here[/spoiler]

It shows up as such:

Spoiler:

Thanks for that rs! Stupid me for not thinking of spoilers

I should sticky a "Use the spoiler tag" thread.

Yes, instead of turning my wonderful review thread into a "How To Use Spoiler Tags" tutorial. Lol. jk. <3

Sorry Pyro....lol I'm having to apologize a lot in this thread. I did say how wonderfully fantastic your review was though right?

Truly Nicci, there is nothing to forgive, for my love for you outshines any possible anger or frustration I could ever harbor against you.

Well, I just got back from seeing the movie myself. An excellent, excellent film. There was one scene where everyone in the theatre jumped. Everyone but me that is. I am a rock! There was also one scene where I cried.

Professor X wrote:

There was also one scene where I cried.

Suppose I better bring some tissues when I go to see it tomorrow, then.

Glad you liked it Steve!!

This movie was sweet on IMAX. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I saw it in Scotland a few weeks ago, but I'll make the comments that I remember stood out...

1) The curse, Snapes curse, that Harry uses on Malfoy that gets him into trouble. Excellently done... it showed how awful it was with all the blood without being really gorey.

2) That said, I'm really getting irked by the producers seeming (all of them by now) collective refusal to show any kind of real violence. The books by this point are VERY dark and VERY violent, I understand that kids will be watching it but for heavens sake they read the damn thing too, and its way worse than the movie was.

3) The guy who plays dumbledore... I don't like him, or at least I don't like the way they had him act. He seemed to have a single expression, single tone of voice without any real emotion. It's like they picked one thing for him to do and had him do it over and over the rest of the way.

4) related to that, I really hated the way they did the Harry-Snape confrontation at the end. It was so lame... no emotion, no anger. Like Dumbledore, they had Snape reply to Harry when he tried to use his own curse on him in the same sneering, cold, but sort of whisper voice he always speaks with. Where in the books he was described as half-mental with rage, and its the first time you really see him crack. Harry, too, though he shouted did not seem to be all that angry considering the man he already hated killed the man who was his protector, mentor and close friend.

5) The light hearted stuff they pulled off great. The guy who plays Ron is really coming into his own, so were Harry and Hermione too but I really noticed Ron.

All fluff, no muff.