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Harry Potter: And the Half-Blood Prince review with CH Gorog...
Hello there, muggles and puggles and all the like. Harry Potter is quite the amazing story. The magical sensation that was so powerful, it even got Americans to read. Yeah, THAT powerful. Anywhoo, this new movie follows the adventure of our one and only stupendously British Harry Potter as he and his companions try to survive another year at Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Bastardizing God's World...I mean Wizardry.
Harry now has the increasing responsibilities of not only attending Hogwarts, but discovering the secrets of "He Who Must Not Be Named" (a.k.a. Voldemort, a.k.a Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Notorious TR). Even though my memory is that of a gerbil, I do remember the overall feeling of the books when compared to their film counterparts. While I did have problems with the past films interpretations of the books events, making them obviously more streamlined or dumbed down for timing, I never felt that way with this movie. There are equal parts character and story within the film that make it really fleshed out in comparison to the rather average first three movies. While the action is minimal compared to the over-CG-laden drivel known as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (a.k.a. "The Movie That Must Not Be Named"), it is really the characters that make the movie shine.
Concerning the main trio of actors: Daniel Radcliffe does a good job at being the stoic Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as always makes for a hilarious Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson finally tones down the attitude of Hermione Granger from the previous films to make her an actually likable and enjoyable character. Michael Gambon does a good job at being the old wizardry gent known as Dumbledore, although at some points he seems to be almost boarderline Ian McKellen; a scene that included a noticeable amount of fire made me think he was about to shout, "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Alan Rickman once again is perfectly cast as Severus Snape, though I wish to hear him once more as a depressed android. For those of you who got that reference, 'Yey you'. The newest addition to the cast is Jim Broadbent portraying Professor Slughorn who does a fantastic job mixing comedy, dumbfounded astonishment, and wisdom to create a really compelling character. The writing in the film is handled as well as the acting: very strong. The comedy and drama are equal in good measures and really do balance the movie altogether.
Unfortunately, because the movie is a truncated version of the book, most of the other characters don't get much screentime and instead just put into the background. The visual style of the film as well as the tone is very brooding and dark. The foreboding nature of the film really does suit the Harry Potter universe the best as every scene is mounted with tension and dread. It's quite amazing that this film wasn't given a PG-13 rating considering some of the more intense scenes in the film. Fortunately, the terrifically spaced out scenes of Potter and the gang dealing with relationship troubles does help lighten the load of seriousness. The cinematography is handled very well favoring single shots of multi-leveled complexity over quick shots and pans.
Given the huge cliffhanger at the end of the film, like in the novel, some may find the ending abrupt, however, I find it suitable since these films, much like the novels, should all be taken into a single context to form a much larger picture. I (a.k.a. He Who No One Wants To Name) heavily enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to any viewer out there looking for a good movie (Harry Potter reader or not).
My Review: Full Price!!
Just remember, you crazy witches and wizards: The Power of Christ compels you.
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Comment
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Comment by Luis on July 20, 2009 at 5:58pm -
funny review
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Comment by Cinema Dr. AJ on July 16, 2009 at 6:57pm -
Why, oh why, didn't they make Harry Potter a 14-part Miniseries? 2 episodes a book at 2hours a pop would have worked flawlessly /sigh. I didnt enjoy this movie about as much as I didn't enjoy the other 5 because they simply. left. out. every. little. thing. that. made. the. books. good. There was no plot here, just the harry gang walking around school for 2 hours, and then Dumbledore called him to his office and was like
'hai we go hurcrux naow k?' literally, that was it.
and my biggest complaint about this film wasn't the lack of everything in the book, beleive it or not, because we all know that you cant make a 600 page book a 2 hour movie and have it be good. no I knew this wasn't gonna be good to start with, but the real problem here was the lack of magic. He fought Malfoy once, and it consisted of a few white lights flashing. we never even got to see the damage of the Sectumsempra spell, just a quick glance at a bloody shirt. no cuts, no bruises, nothing else. I felt like all the magic in this movie consisted of a few flashing white lights, except for the end when Dumbledore makes his firestorm
which brings me to my next point- Ahem... mr director: if you're going to have Dumbledore create a SWIRLING FIRESTORM OF DOOM at least show it for more than 5 seconds. please. also, it didn't show HOW on EARTH they escaped form the FLAMING ZOMBIE CAVE they just sort of cut to harry and dumbledore arriving back at hogwarts... lame...
All in all, the climax felt rushed and out of place compared to the overall lack of any sort of plot-driven direction at all. Were there any positives, you ask?
Yes. Malfoy's actor was brilliant in this movie, absolutely brilliant. Also, I laughed at all the parts that were meant to be funny. the humor worked, and Malfoy was brilliantly acted (as was Bellatrix LeStrange. Always loved her.)
Side note, in the second movie, I seem to remember Aragog was about thirty feet tall, towering over Harry and Ron, like a freaking enormous spider. when they showed him dead in this movie, he was smaller than Hagrid... wtf???
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Comment by C.H. Gorog on July 16, 2009 at 2:34pm -
Maybe when all the Harry Potter films come out, alan, I will do an Overrated Movie Theater on them. Time and hype have to settle down before I attempt it, though.
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Comment by Jesse on July 16, 2009 at 2:06pm
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Ahh,
Thanks very much C.H.Gorog.
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Comment by C.H. Gorog on July 16, 2009 at 12:35pm
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Jalford, thanks for the list.
Jesse,
1. Yes. You will get the overall plot of it without needing to see the other films.
2. It's actually quite artistic. Usually there will be a single shot that looks aesthetically interesting while having much going on in the scene.
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Very good and analytical review. Also, the occasional poke at the religious crazies is simply fantastic.
However, I have two questions I am hoping you will answer.
1. Will non-Harry Potter fans have something to enjoy if they cannot pick up on the plot?
2. How's the cinematography? The trailers looks really good.
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