Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince Review

starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman
director: David Yates

The dark side of the Harry Potter series was cemented from the very start of this movie in my opinion. The theme and story itself became incredibly dim, which showed in every scene. I know there were a lot of things that were different or changed in this movie from the book, but I have no problem keeping them somewhat separate in my review because it is what it is and it cannot be changed anyways. I have said this before plenty of times out loud and I will repeat it here: In my opinion, I think the casting crew should have chosen a different actor to play Dumbledore. The first Dumbledore played by Richard Harris was beyond perfect, and I think Michael Gambon is a brilliant actor, but maybe wasn't the right fit for playing Albus Dumbledore. The scenes after Dumbledore came back out from the restroom at Slughorn's place was awkward instead of the planned approach that Dumbledore supposedly set up. As a viewer, I felt a sense of secured protection with Richard Harris, like an all-wise grandfather who would look out for you and teach you right from wrong the correct way, unlike the emotional outbursts and insecure feelings that Michael Gambon expressed.

Daniel Radcliffe did a great job portraying Harry in this movie as usual, I especially liked the scenes when he confronted Slughorn, and took the Felix Felicis that he won for brewing a perfect draft of Living Death. It was a completely different side of Harry and I thought Daniel pulled it off hysterically. He definitely doesn't get enough credit for the different little things that he does while being Harry.

As I said in my Deathly Hallows Part 1 Review, I thought that Emma Watson controlled the emotional flow of the Trio and basically the entire movie. Her reactions to Ron getting affection from another girl were very believable and I could 'feel' her hurt inside. Rupert Grint also did a wonderful job in another HP movie. It is obvious that he is completely comfortable playing the role of Ron Weasley.

My huge criticism about the movie is during the moments of Dumbledore's death. I truly believe that the crew could have made it more... epic. One of the most powerful wizards of all time just got hit with the Killing Curse and it was pure silence and slow motion as he was falling, falling, falling down from the Astronomy tower. I have re-watched the movie several times and I always hope for something more significant to be shown. However, the very last time I watched the scene, I was watching and feeling every moment and I definitely could see how the moments could seem perfect to someone else. In my opinion, I would have liked to see something more powerful for what actually happened.

Overall I loved the movie and the books. They put me in such an incredible mood when I watch them which is why I have seen every Harry Potter movie way beyond more than five times.