HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE (REVIEW)
The
sixth entry into the series is definitely the most leisurely of the movies to
date - which is a surprise after the amazing opening sequence of some scary Death
Eaters terrorising the streets in and around London town. Young love is in the
air. But, in between the fluttering hearts and long stares, there is a certain
Dark Lord and his evil minions who seem to want to wage war on our heroes. Our
three main heroes of course being Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermoine (Emma Watson)
and Ron (Rupert Grint).
Following on from the big conclusion
in the last film, Harry heads back to Hogwarts for his sixth year of tutelage
in the art of magic and although new experiences are on the horizon, awful things
are brewing in the world he occupies. There's even a scheme being plotted by two-faced
Snape (Alan Rickman) and his protégé Draco (Tom Felton) for the
downfall of the almighty headmaster Dumbledore Michael Gambon).
Jim
Broadbent is a great actor who is put to excellent use as Horace Slughorn, a professor
brought out of retirement who plays a key role in unravelling part of the mystery
surrounding Voldemort. The professor reveals some liquid memories held in viles
that help relive inner thoughts one may have actually forgotten. This device and
dreamy set of sequences is a special effects mind trip that is much more suited
to cult rock band The Doors than Harry Potter. However, these revelations are
important to what follows. Great direction and special effects are of some importance
here, but the story is really the backbone most magical.
'A
Half Blood Prince' adds to the illusion when Harry finds secret notes within a
battered old potion textbook. Very slow, it may be at a running time of 2.5 hours
but this all goes towards some great character set ups and identities being revealed.
Within these walls are also make ups, break ups, and true love being explored.
The magic, which is a main focus, seems to be gradually turning into superpowers,
being used much more to its extreme than ever before. The advancing age of the
actors is noticeable. It's like a bunch of friends you only see now and again
and spotting their differences each time.
This is one of the
best Potter films yet, exciting and thoughtful, but ultimately darker than all
before it. Avoid taking the toddlers to this one during the school holidays, Ralph
Fiennes personifies evil as Voldemort. He is one of the all time scary cinema
characters. Go next door and watch 'Ice Age 3' with them instead.
Shane
A. Bassett
