The Daily OrangeStill spellbinding: 'Half-Blood Prince' delights despite some flaws
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 7/10/09, 12:00 AM EST Section: Feature
Staring: Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Jim Broadbent
Directed by: David Yates
In theaters: July 15
When I heard I'd have the opportunity to go to the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" press screening, my first reaction was to run up to my bedroom, pull out the green hardcover book - sixth from the left - and turn to Page 1. It felt good to be back at Hogwarts.
The sixth installment of the Potter film series hits theaters Wednesday and may be the best yet. It combines the intrigue and mystery of past films with some fresh comedy and romance. Heightened special effects and tantalizing villains make the 150-minute movie scarier than the past five, while the fallen-hero ending will result in many misty-eyed audiences.
In "Half-Blood Prince," the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), along with his Death Eaters, have wrecked havoc on both the magic and non-magic worlds. Meanwhile, Harry Potter (Radcliffe) has discovered that he is the Chosen One - destined to kill Voldemort or be killed. Harry and the wise Professor Dumbledore (Gambon) try to discover the secrets behind the Dark Lord by studying memories from Voldemort's time at Hogwarts and uncovering his relationship with Professor Slughorn (Broadbent).
With the story fresh in my mind, it was hard not to notice all the things that were missing in the movie. For Potter fans, I'm talking about no Fleur Delacour, no elves, no Rufus Scrimgeour. Or in other words, I'm talking about dropped characters, subplots and loss of charming details and scenes.
But screenwriter Steve Kloves' adaptation of the book still manages to make 652 pages accessible, entertaining and infused with quite a bit of humor, which is ironic given the dangerous environment the film is set in.
Broadbent's comedy is a rich and welcome addition to the Potter cast. He shines as the plump and friendly professor who likes to "collect" his favorite students and brag about his favorite students. But he's also captivating in his darker moments as the guilt-ridden old man with a dark and haunting secret.
Directed by: David Yates
In theaters: July 15
When I heard I'd have the opportunity to go to the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" press screening, my first reaction was to run up to my bedroom, pull out the green hardcover book - sixth from the left - and turn to Page 1. It felt good to be back at Hogwarts.
The sixth installment of the Potter film series hits theaters Wednesday and may be the best yet. It combines the intrigue and mystery of past films with some fresh comedy and romance. Heightened special effects and tantalizing villains make the 150-minute movie scarier than the past five, while the fallen-hero ending will result in many misty-eyed audiences.
In "Half-Blood Prince," the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), along with his Death Eaters, have wrecked havoc on both the magic and non-magic worlds. Meanwhile, Harry Potter (Radcliffe) has discovered that he is the Chosen One - destined to kill Voldemort or be killed. Harry and the wise Professor Dumbledore (Gambon) try to discover the secrets behind the Dark Lord by studying memories from Voldemort's time at Hogwarts and uncovering his relationship with Professor Slughorn (Broadbent).
With the story fresh in my mind, it was hard not to notice all the things that were missing in the movie. For Potter fans, I'm talking about no Fleur Delacour, no elves, no Rufus Scrimgeour. Or in other words, I'm talking about dropped characters, subplots and loss of charming details and scenes.
But screenwriter Steve Kloves' adaptation of the book still manages to make 652 pages accessible, entertaining and infused with quite a bit of humor, which is ironic given the dangerous environment the film is set in.
Broadbent's comedy is a rich and welcome addition to the Potter cast. He shines as the plump and friendly professor who likes to "collect" his favorite students and brag about his favorite students. But he's also captivating in his darker moments as the guilt-ridden old man with a dark and haunting secret.
Be the first to comment on this story