Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

[Magus]

I'm surprised no one's posted about this yet, but this new strategy of opening summer movies on Wednesdays is a bit odd so that is probably why.

Anyway, got back from a showing. I really liked this movie. I think it's the first Harry Potter movie I actively want to see again (and again). It felt like actual effort went into its production and it didn't feel rushed like the last movie. Seeing it in theater may have had a positive effect on my feeling (I last Harry Potter I saw in theaters was the first one when I was 11 or 12), but I think it may have a lot more to do with Order of the Phoenix, one of the longest books, being jammed into a 138 minute run-time, and this movie being based on a shorter book--and yet getting 153 minutes of run-time!

Anyway, this movie seemed much slower-paced than the last one, and was bristling with character-based humor over action, though it had some action pieces (the rippling night fields in the middle "battle scene" at the Weasleys was pretty awesome set-direction, even if it seems to be different from what was shown previously, and the new house design led to a pretty funny sight gag that had me laughing). Also the ending was way more dramatic than the ending of Order of the Phoenix, even though it seemed like they should've been closer to equal.

So anyway. I've seen all the Harry Potter films, and this is the best one. Previously I would've said that wasn't saying much, but they actually seemed to do this one justice.

Anyway, I haven't read the book in a while so I can't tell you what they cut out. Let me just say that I remember the book being very slow moving without much happening so the film, even maintaining a slower, less frenetic pace than its predecessor, was still faster and more involving than the book while seeming much, much funnier. Also, the specifics of the ending were changed a little--well a lot, actually, now that I think about it (I believe the book had a large battle scene at the end--the movie eschews this, probably for more dramatic effect), but it was pretty great nonetheless.

So, yeah, I thoroughly enjoyed this Harry Potter film. Thus far I hadn't liked them very much but this one seemed well done.

[Masked Jedi]

I loved it. I thought it was easily the best Potter film. It looked so damn beautiful. Every shot was just perfect in it's composition. I really liked how they played up the "it's on a set" nature of the visuals. It gave it a unique feeling. Storywise, I thought the cuts they made were good, and they captured the essence, which is what's important. Props to David Yates.

[Hawk]

I didn't like it, to tell truth. I came out the cinema feeling quite deflated and, frankly, a bit bored. It was just so slow all the way through, even the action scenes (what there was of them) didn't really do much for me. I suppose I can see what they were trying to do; they were going for emotional and dramatic, but it just didn't come off that way, especially the end, everything from Dumbledore and Malfoy onwards. They definately needed the fight scene at the end really.

Pretty dissapointed with this one to be honest.

[Mirai Gen]

Funny, I just got back and was going to make a post talking about how it was the best Harry Potter movie yet.

Action took a backseat in this one, which was good as it was meant to be story heavy. And the story was great, condensing where it needed to and including everything important.

I also liked the change that fixed it so none of them knew about Horcruxes, because I honestly have a hard time believing Dumbledore would send Harry to get the memory just 'to be sure' in the books.

Also:
the movie eschews this, probably for more dramatic effect
Yup, but it worked well. Even knowing what was happening it made it really impactful.

Fun fact: When Harry turns the corner after casting Sectumsempra and sees Draco bleeding my 8-year senior brother actually said, "Holy shit."

[Kerensky287]

I actually really enjoyed this one. I was worried it was going to be all melodramatic, what with it being "grittier and darker" as usual, but they certainly had enough comic relief and side-stories to keep it fairly light-hearted.

My one complaint that couldn't be attributed to the crappy-quality theatre, in fact, was that they left some of those side-stories hanging a little. I mean, they played like one game of Quiddich and then left it alone for the rest of the movie, despite the fact that Ron apparently had more talent than the audience was lead to believe.

I also think they did a great job with the whole Lavender Brown bit. I don't think she was quite as fucking nuts in the book but it worked anyway here. At that one point after Ron gets poisoned, there was a joke I thought they were going to make - Ron muttering "Her... mi... one..." sounded kinda like "her... my... knee..." which could have been a reference to how Lavender was resting all of her weight on his leg. Missed opportunity! Blah.

The end scene was handled perfectly in my opinion, though. In the book it seemed like Dumbledore was kinda begging for his life, while in the movie it seemed more like he was trying to be diplomatic/reasonable. And with the book, I didn't quite realize until the sequel that the Horcrux was a fake, and thus the entire trip was wasted.

And I loved that one line where Snape reveals himself to be the Half-Blood Prince, because of how his tone almost says "Voldemort didn't do EVERYTHING in the world, you idiot!"

[Lost in Time]

I'm just surprised that the worst Harry Potter book turns into the better movie. I didn't expect this at all.

[Archbio]

The end scene was handled perfectly in my opinion, though. In the book it seemed like Dumbledore was kinda begging for his life, while in the movie it seemed more like he was trying to be diplomatic/reasonable.

In the book (if I recall correctly), since it seemed that way because he was really begging for Snape to kill him, I would expect the scene to lose much of its interest as it loses its (very dramatic) ambiguity.

[RickZarber]

I really enjoyed it while watching it, but by the time it ended I couldn't help feeling that not enough had happened... Though I'm not sure in what way. Will probably require another viewing.

Oh well. The Deathly Hallows movies certainly sound like they'll deliver, and we only have to wait 18 months for part one.

[Mirai Gen]

I'm just surprised that the worst Harry Potter book turns into the better movie. I didn't expect this at all.

What's funny is I started off hating HBP, then I read the last book and now it's one of my favorites.

I'm not quite sure why.

[B_real_shadows]

I think its because HBP sets up Deathly Hallows so well and there are the most connections from book 6 to book 7 that you can easily see, but only once you've read book 7.

[walkertexasdruid]

This was one of my favorite Harry Potter movies. This one was right up there with Goblet of Fire. Not as action-packed as Order of the Pheonix, but I still liked it much better. It just seemed more complete.

So they are going to make Deathly Hallows into two movies? I guess it makes sense, since there is at least two movies' worth of storyline in that book. They also get to make a lot more money too. It is win-win for everyone. Are not the kids going to be in their mid-twenties when the last movie comes out? :eek:

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

Yes, the final book is being split into two films. But they are filming it now. I don't think the actors are that old.

[Marc v1.0]

This was one of my favorite Harry Potter movies. This one was right up there with Goblet of Fire. Not as action-packed as Order of the Pheonix, but I still liked it much better. It just seemed more complete.

So they are going to make Deathly Hallows into two movies? I guess it makes sense, since there is at least two movies' worth of storyline in that book. They also get to make a lot more money too. It is win-win for everyone. Are not the kids going to be in their mid-twenties when the last movie comes out? :eek:

Like that ever stopped any actor from playing someone 19 or what have you

[stefan]

was there any particular reason as to why Draco was wearing that damn fine business suit all through the movie?

[Masked Jedi]

Because it was damn fine?

[Mirai Gen]

He does have a point.

[RickZarber]

So they are going to make Deathly Hallows into two movies? I guess it makes sense, since there is at least two movies' worth of storyline in that book. They also get to make a lot more money too. It is win-win for everyone.According to the director:You know, we did a list of everything that we wanted to include in the last film, and basically the studio did a breakdown, a budget. And it would have been the most expensive movie in history, by a mile, because there were so many major set pieces in it. And the studio goes, "Even we can't afford this in one hit. If you can make it into two movies, you can have two big budgets." So, the only way I can do the adaptation I wanted to, is by spreading the costs across two movies.

[Regulus Tera]

That movie was amazing... until the last act.

Talk about unsatisfying.

[synkr0nized]

This was quite good.
Dumbledore and Snape are (were for the former) still amazing.

[Mirai Gen]

I loved Harry Ron and Hermione's antics, as much as I hate to admit it.

"Romilda Vane over there has been trying to slip you a love potion."
"...Really?"
"HEY! She only likes you because she thinks you're the chosen one."
"But I am the Chosen One. Er, sorry. Joking."

"I'm in love with Romilda Vane."
"Have you even met her?!"
"...no. Could you introduce me?!"

I know that's how the lines went in the books but the actors brought this especially awesome charm to it.

EDIT: I look forward to the later scenes in the final Deathly Hallows movie. "Wait, we need to save the house elves." "OH THAT IS SO HOT!"

[RickZarber]

EDIT: I look forward to the later scenes in the final Deathly Hallows movie. "Wait, we need to save the house elves." "OH THAT IS SO HOT!"Except, you know, that entire plot line was left out of the films, and it'd be kinda awkward to shoehorn it in just for that scene. :/

I think I figured out what I wanted from this film that felt left out:

A few lines of dialogue of speculation as to the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.
Fallout from Harry near-eviscerating Malfoy. Seriously, he didn't even get in trouble? I can't remember what happened in the book, but I'm pretty sure something did.
More scenes in the pensieve or whatever it's called.
If not that, then at least some dialogue that explains the significance of the ring and locket as horcruxes. ie, What they are, and why he would use them, even if the "how he acquired them" is left out.


I was gonna list Dumbledore's funeral, but I read that they actually filmed it and cut it for pacing reasons, so I've no doubt we'll get it as a deleted scene. So that's okay.

[Magus]

I think Draco's suit was supposed to have something to do with his being a full-fledged Death Eater now, plus some of the other Slytherins were wearing them too so it's apparently some sort of statement.

As for Harry not getting in trouble for Sectum Sempra: I can't remember the book in detail but from what I remember I think they were alone in the bathroom when the fight took place, as in the movie, but then when Harry used Sectum Sempra, six-hundred people didn't show up out of the blue to gawk at the scene like in the movie, just Snape, who, knowing Draco's secret plot and all that, didn't want to attract attention to anything by publicizing the event, so I'm pretty sure the motive for not punishing Harry was simply to keep things quiet. If anyone else can remember the book in better detail it might be different though.

[Regulus Tera]

As for Harry not getting in trouble for Sectum Sempra: I can't remember the book in detail but from what I remember I think they were alone in the bathroom when the fight took place, as in the movie, but then when Harry used Sectum Sempra, six-hundred people didn't show up out of the blue to gawk at the scene like in the movie, just Snape, who, knowing Draco's secret plot and all that, didn't want to attract attention to anything by publicizing the event, so I'm pretty sure the motive for not punishing Harry was simply to keep things quiet. If anyone else can remember the book in better detail it might be different though.

Moaning Myrtle was in the bathroom during that scene in the book. She's the one Draco is crying to. And yes, he was punished by Snape -so much that he misses the last Quidditch match and even complains about not being able to spend more time with Ginny.

[Magus]

Ah, good, I'm glad it didn't have the plot hole in the book itself. Also it's pretty funny that Harry complaining about his being punished for almost accidentally killing someone is one of the reasons that as far as the books go I think Harry himself is probably the jerkiest character written into them, oddly enough! At least that was my final thoughts on the series after reading the final book. Probably not what Rowling was trying to do but I actually think it's more entertaining when you think of Harry as actually being pretty lame and not very heroic at all, but all the idiots around him keep going along with his shenanigans because he's "the Chosen One!"

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

Well based on my limited knowledge (which solely consists of the first four films which I got dragged along to) Harry does pretty much nothing throughout the series and is just saved by a continual stream of deus ex-machina. He does nothing! Nothing!

[Magus]

In the later novels Rowling did a better job of explaining the Deus Ex Machina to be long-term Xanatos Roulettes on the part of various protagonists and antagonists (pretty darn well, really, as far as plot devices go), but it still left Harry pretty high and dry on the topic of "actually accomplishing anything other than sort of being around at the same time this is all going on."

[Mirai Gen]

A majority of Harry's likeability as a character stems from the fact that he deals with all of this crap - being "Chosen One", parents being dead, Voldemort and Death Eaters trying to kill him, Snape's hatred of him, living with the Dursleys, etc etc etc - and through it still manages to come off as a decent wizard with a good heart and a lot of courage. It's worth noting that in one interview I saw with Rowling she said that her most valued aspect in males is 'courage', which is probably why she injected him with it directly and let that be his standing quality.

[Smarty McBarrelpants]

Apart from when ever a girl comes along.