Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie review
The Harry Potter movie series has been the first movie series to go past three and still remain good (The last trilogy I’ve liked was Lord of the Rings). With this in mind, and after seeing the trailers, I was very excited to go and see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I must admit that after seeing the movie though, I’m a bit conflicted on how I feel about it.
Visually, the movie looked fantastic. David Yates definitely has an eye for cinematography, and this has helped the overall look of the movies themselves. I was also pleased to see how Draco Malfoy’s character was fleshed out well, and that Tom Felton did a good job of showing Draco beyond being a stuck up bully. Also, I felt that Alan Rickman and Helena Bonham Carter did fantastic jobs in their roles of also fleshing out the characters a bit more since the last movie. The other highlight for me was the handling of the relationship between Ron and Lavender Brown. The first time she said “Won Won!” I lost it and couldn’t stop giggling in the theater.
But as much as I enjoyed parts of the movie, I have to say that the plot deviated a lot from what was in the books. There were entire characters and situations that were nixed from the movie which I think would have added more to what was supposed to be a growing tension throughout the film. There were also crucial memories that Dumbledore has Harry witness in the book that were left out entirely, which in the long run point him to finding out Voldemort’s other Horcruxes in the final book. I’m not sure how they’re going to fix that bit of a plot hole that was now created. Also, the fact that these same memories were left out diminish what you learn about Voldemort and how he came to be what he is.
Another thing I had an issue with was the fact that was how people acted generally at Hogwarts. The wizarding world is at war with some very powerful dark wizards who have attacked muggles as well as kidnapping and killing other wizards. Yet in the movie, everyone at Hogwarts walks around complacently as if nothing is going on and that everything is perfectly okay. Even at the Weasley house before it was attacked the only person who looked worried was Harry. Knowing how fretful Mrs. Weasley has been in all of the movies so far, I’m surprised that they never showed her carrying on about everyone being extra safe and careful. And even though I’ve read what Yates had to say about it, I’m still not happy that the funeral for Dumbledore wasn’t at the end of the movie.
The last big thing that irked me was the fact that Harry listened to Snape during the tower scene. Both in the books 
and previous movies it was built up how Harry disliked Snape and vice versa. Not to mention Harry has been suspicious of Snape and Malfoy during the movie, so why would he listen to Snape telling him to be quiet while Dumbledore is surrounded by Death Eaters above? He wouldn’t have, and this is the one part about the movie that I will say I really disliked since it went against Harry’s character.
Generally, I felt that they hacked apart the book and chose what they included at random. I do understand that there would have been no way for them to fit in everything that happens in the book, but I just felt that this time around they cut out too much. However if you are just keeping up with the Harry Potter movies and have not read the books, you may still like this movie. Either way I do recommend seeing this movie as it is still entertaining and draws you in. Even with the plot holes and changes, I enjoyed myself while watching it.
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I totally agree with you here about a lot of this. I, too, very much appreciated the added depth to Draco’s character, and I felt like Alan Rickman did a great job in showing the conflict within without giving everything away. One thing, though, that I don’t think you mentioned about the Potter/Snape relationship is that they left out or changed some key moments throughout this story that would continue to support Harry’s (and therefore the audience’s) suspicion of Snape – such as Snape walking (and berating the entire way) a late Harry to the Great Hall after he was found on the train by Tonks – not Luna, and ANY portion of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
The thing that bothered me more about the dismissing of Molly’s worry was more the Diagon Alley scene than how people were acting at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione don’t go wandering around that place at all uncloaked without supervision… and Draco was the only one who went into Borgin & Burke’s… and they showed the cabinet!
The tower scene was odd to me entirely for two reasons – 1. Dumbledore should have been MUCH weaker. In the state he appeared to be in the movie, Draco never would have been able to disarm him – and I think he would have something else up his sleeve even if disarmed before the other death eaters arrived there. And 2 – (possibly more importantly) Harry was supposed to be petrificus totalus – ed during that time. Not only would he not listen to Snape (although in that moment, Dumbledore specifically did ask for him, so there may have been a moment of trust under those stairs), he wouldn’t just stand there watching while anyone was trying to kill his mentor! I think the whole tower scene – which I don’t understand why they changed in that way – made both Harry and Dumbledore appear weak and even a little cowardly (yes, I know the end of book 7). Also – where was the fighting after Dumbledore’s death? A pack of death eaters (including a vicious child hating werewolf) shouldn’t be able to simply walk out of the school – after trashing the Great Hall… that was odd…
I will say that, while i don’t appreciate the cutting of important-to-the-next-book scenes and making room for scenes that really had no purpose but for cinematography ( I speak of the Holidays at the Burrow – not the bridge – I liked the bridge), or humor (some cheesy Ginny lines), I did like the movie visually. Although I do think that the funeral would have been a wonderful visual spectacle and I am shocked that was excluded. I also liked the moments when I did recognize specific dialogue from the book and, as it is with these films, those were pretty much as I imagined them. I do plan to see it again without the expectations from critic’s reviews, previews, and after having the book so fresh in my mind. As a movie unto itself, I have a feeling I will enjoy it time and again.
What helped me was reading the book after the movie. I was still able to enjoy the movie, and in general I did like it, but I will say it has made me a bit wary though hopeful for the next two. I’m very glad that they split Deathly Hallows into two seperate films as I’m not fearing as bad a hackjob plot wise, but at the same time… it could still have things removed and left out.
So, if you have not read any of the books you would enjoy it greatly? Also, you may want to put a spolier alert at the top of the post.
Stealthyslyth, I am also hopeful for the next two. I do think they will have to leave some things out (like how the kids know that to come and fight, or some things Harry knows about Voldemort’s past, because they were left out of previous movies. And all I hope for is that they try to not change too much, include all the characters they are supposed to include, and remember that Harry Potter fans are really fans of the books, so try to stay a little truer…
Seth – I do think that you would enjoy the movie if you haven’t read the books. It is a pretty well done movie, and great visually. It’s much funnier than the previous ones, that’s for sure
I’ve loved the movies, just never had time to read the books.
The movie did feel a little long. I’m also not sure that it needed the 3D in the beginning. It left me with something to play or should I say fidget with the entire movie. Not a good thing. Also, while I think many of the actors did a great job, I think Ron just looks too old.
I did find myself laughing alot. I thought it was supposed to be darker, but it seemed funnier.
I definetly agree that the movie needed to be darker that there should have been more of a worried look to every one’ s face and I totally agree with what dawn said about the fac that Molly should have definetly been way more worried than she was especially seeing as how they player as a huge worrier in all the other movies. I was really upset when I found out that they werent giving a battle scene at the end of the movie because if youll all remember there was a huge battlle at the end of the book right after Dumbledore died and I was looking very forward to seeing it. That was a huge let down for me. I was also really upset when I found out that there wasnt going to be a funeral scene because I think that was one of the best parts or at least what Harry said to the minister was one of the best parts to me.