Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

Published by Jeff Leins on: July 16th, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a maturation of age and style, showcasing the talents of its now adult actors and continuing the darker elements introduced in the previous film.  Movie magic has transformed the mystical world of teleportation and flying brooms into a gritty world of destiny and sacrifice.

There’s something intense and ominous casting a shadow over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and it isn’t the Death Eater skull mark emerging from the smokey clouds.  It’s raging hormones.  Either everyone has had a sip of a love potion or the now 16-year-old characters are finally discovering something an owl couldn’t bring them.  There’s plenty of snogging amidst the strengthening forces of Voldemort, creating more relationship conflicts than wand-drawn showdowns.

This cinematic spin the bottle isn’t the fault of returning screenwriter Steve Kloves though.  J.K. Rowling’s sixth beloved book spends much of its time lounging around the castle establishing various budding romances before sending Harry and Dumbledore out to investigation further into Voldermort’s past.  Kloves’ screenplay and the 153-minute run time covers enough to delight the faithful army of Potterheads, but like the other adaptations won’t satisfy the hardcore fans who can recount every chapter.  Luckily for those few who haven’t read the novel recently, David Yates’ film has you covered too.

The winding plot starts with an attack on the human (Muggle) city of London by Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter) and her cackling cronies.  Their swooping brooms twist their way through a brilliantly realized opening scene that blankets the rest of the movie in looming danger.  Voldemort is unseen (in adult form), but his powerful presence is felt by the fearful wizard world.  Draco Malfoy has been hand-picked by the Dark Lord himself for a secret task, pitting two “chosen ones” against each other in a classic good versus evil battle.  The glaring Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) seals a pact, the “Unbreakable Vow,” to protect the malevolent boy on his quest.

Once inside the haven of Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, and Ron busy themselves with classwork and the ups and downs of teenage love.  The newly-recruited, erratic Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) teaches them about love potions (#9?), which the girls peer into longingly.

The plot consists of school-sponsored parties, fawning Quidditch fans, broken hearts, and awkward angst which amounts to a lot of smooching, but not a lot of action.  (Not that kind. It’s PG.)  Though what the adaptation lacks in epic showdowns, it fills with entertaining comedic interaction.  Not the whimsical pratfalls or the goofy facial expressions of the younger series’ child-like humor, but actual punchlines that had the audience erupting in laughter.

Memory trips, vacation time, and the search for answers takes Harry and friends outside the castle walls.  In the open they encounter heart-pounding dangers brought to life by stunning shot design and simply amazing special effects.  The sporadic suspense culminates in an emotional ending reminiscent of the thematic and tonal quality of Empire Strikes Back.

Daniel Radcliffe is excellent as Harry, Emma Watson is touching as Hermione, and Rupert Grint is hilarious as Ron.  After eight years of witnessing them settle into character, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a culmination of their growth and a treat of dramatic storytelling.

4 out of 5.