Best Mood to Walk In With: Ready for awesomeness
Don't See This Movie If: You don't like movies
I felt like the Chosen One last night when I was allowed an advanced screening of the movie I've been anticipating for almost 2 years. After all the build up, was I disappointed in the movie? Absolutely not. Was I surprised by some of the changes from the book. In a word, yes. But we can save that discourse for a bit later.
Like all the other reviews have hit upon, I must first rave about the incredible cinematography. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince weaves an incredible visual story, rich with colors, depth, and feeling. At times a scene vibrant in color switches to a scene in dismal greys without any jarring to the audience. Such large changes work because each shot matches the tone of the action perfectly. How viewers probably felt seeing the Wizard of Oz when it was released, surprised at the brilliance of experiencing Technicolor for the first time, is how I felt watching the newest installment of Harry Potter. Although there is no new technology accompanying the film, the cinematography is so great you see how little other movies have fulfilled their potential in this area.
While movie goers who are not readers of the book or are apathetic about exact translations will love the film, those of us who are a bit more literal in our expectations have a few surprises coming. Without giving anything away, be ready to see the final fight scene drastically different in its execution, becoming a much more personalized experience for Harry. Although plotwise, this change does not hurt the story, thematically it has a few major implications. Most obviously is that it portrays an implicit trust Harry has in Snape that he never had in the book, as well as it removes the sacrificial relationship between Dumbledore and Harry. Also, I was slightly disappointed with the scene in the cave. After being amazed by the different tasks in the book and the terrifying introduction of the inferiori, the pared down version didn't meet my high expectations.
However, overall, the movie does a great job at creating a disturbing aura around Hogwarts. In most scenes, you are left feeling just as the wizarding community is feeling with the Dementors breeding in the air around them (book reference, not in the movie). This is balanced by the teenage social awkwardness that is hilarious and heartrending in the book, but somehow even funnier and more tender in the movie.
As for the acting, the actors you have seen previously remain the same. Daniel Radcliffe is a great foil for everyone around him, Michael Gambon adds a loving stiffness to his characterization of Dumbledore, Emma Watson is by far the student you feel for the most emotionally, Rupert Grint continues to be the ham, Helena Bonham Carter is still over the top, Tom Felton as Draco scowls often per usual, Evanna Lynch is perfectly cast as Luna, Maggie Smith as McGonagall continues to channel the character amazingly, and last but certainly not least Alan Rickman embodies Snape with his arched eyebrow and exaggerated pronunciation of syllables. Two new comers enhance the cast greatly. First, Jessie Cave as Lavender is hilarious as she chases "Won-Won" around Hogwarts. And secondly, Jim Broadbent is incredible as Professor Slughorn. The Harry Potter movie franchise should give its casting director a bonus in what she's done for the faculty that weave in and out of the episodes. Just as Emma Thompson amazed us as Professor Trelawney and Imelda Staunton exceeded our wildest dreams about Umbridge, Broadbent fully brings the character of Slughorn to life.
Keep Your Eyes Closed For: The awkward Harry/Ginny moments, like when she kneels before him or when she tells him to close his eyes
Keep Your Eyes Open For: The hilarious scene where Harry takes the Felix Felicis
All in all, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be fun for anyone, but there will be added bonuses AND frustrations for those who love the book. Sometimes small things that appear in the movie but are not explained are exciting as you recognize the meaning of characters like Fawkes or seek for a glimpse of the diadem in the Room of Requirement. But it is also challenging when the Half-Blood Prince is revealed, but not explained. However, I enjoyed catching my non-book reading buddies up on these nuances and relishing in every detail of both the novel and the movie that way.
Movies Are Life. ~ K
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