Directed by:
David YatesScreenplay:
Steve KlovesCinematography:
Bruno DelbonnelComposer:
Nicholas HooperCast:
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Warwick Davis, Maggie Smith (more)VOD (6)
Plots(1)
Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. He needs Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort's defenses - critical information known only to Hogwarts' former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague into returning to his previous post with promises of more money, a bigger office... and the chance to teach the famous Harry Potter. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry's long friendship with Ginny Weasley is growing into something deeper, but standing in the way is Ginny's boyfriend, Dean Thomas, not to mention her big brother Ron. But Ron's got romantic entanglements of his own to worry about, with Lavender Brown lavishing her affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with jealousy yet determined not to show her feelings. And then a box of love potion-laced chocolates ends up in the wrong hands and changes everything. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof with far more important matters on his mind. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. (Warner Home Video)
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Reviews (10)
It's unfortunate that the conversational aspect from the life of teenagers returns. I'm used to the undersized story, but I’m simply not interested in the emotional chatter of the little wizards. It’s a good thing that Yates gets the film going decently again in the second half. After the promising fifth film, it was confirmed to me again that the film version of Harry Potter is a precisely treated product, but there is no great magic – it disappeared with the departure of Oldman and the influx of hormones. Fans will be pleased, the infidels will not be offended, and the film will amuse and do no harm. Stupefy... not a chance. [65%]
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Certainly the most cinematically accomplished and best made Harry Potter film (so far). I really like Yates’ approach to the material, and what he started in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is brought to near perfection here. The bridge demolition scene is absolutely stunning, and add 3D to the mix. :) The fact that the films don't work much with the books they’re based on has annoyed me a little (or maybe a little more), but Yates' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has great pacing (despite the rather long romantic storyline) and those slightly drawn-out two hours flew by unbelievably in the cinema. I don't understand the users who rate this flashy bit of cinema and acting 2 stars... A film is a film and a book is a book. 4.5 stars
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Just as I witnessed the exact translation of the tense political and magical atmosphere in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince there is a mood full of anticipation, competition, pranks, and infatuations. The popularity of this installment simply depends on the popularity of the book source material, and those who expected to continue the previous storylines without being familiar with it are bound to be disappointed. At Hogwarts there is an atmosphere of a year-long Valentine's Day, where it's easier to forget everything that burdens the outside world. And so, only Dumbledore regularly reminds everyone of why Harry is indispensable and irreplaceable, Draco noticeably keeps his distance from others, and the Christmas holidays show once again that evil never sleeps. Naturally, the screenplay doesn't forget that the dark fantasy mythology is continuing to progress and leaves our heroes exactly where they were destined to be from the beginning of the saga. At the beginning of the final rebellion, on the brink of independence. And the gem of it all is that both darkness and enchanting romance work so naturally alongside each other that it takes your breath away. David Yates is a king.
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I read somewhere the other day that the sixth Harry Potter film will be a bridge from the fifth to the final episodes. And that's what it looks like in the overall scheme of things. Since David Yates has been in the director's chair, this saga has taken on a grim veneer of action. I don't think that's missing here. The audio-visual execution, including the cinematography, is really good, especially the Millennium Bridge and the cave scene. The screenplay is based on the book, but other material has been brought to the surface, which at times mars the overall look of the film. The soundtrack fits the scenes perfectly – again, I liked the cave scene best. Casting Jim Broadbent as Slughorn was an excellent move, because that's sort of how I imagined his character. The final scene with Dumbledore and Snape and then with Snape was quite disappointing for me, but it is a "bridge" after all. For me, probably the weakest episode of the whole saga, excelling in the technical area rather than the script and the actors.
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Some things were extra (the opening digital destruction of London), some things were not enough (ironically, the mystery of the Half-blood Prince), but the film is still excellent and David Yates proves that his previous success was no accident. The story has once again pared the book down to the bare essentials. There are many characters, but the most interesting ones get the most space they deserve (apart from the central trio, they are probably Dumbledore, Snape, Malfoy and the Horace Slughorn), there is no lack of emotion or suspense (for those unfamiliar with the story, there are also a few surprises and even shocks), a nice romantic and friendly storyline and a few rewardingly funny scenes (brewing potions, Ron the Catcher...) to lighten and balance the necessary fatefulness. As a warm-up for the finale, The Half-Blood Prince is perfect.
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