Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Film
Movie Review of the Sixth Harry Potter Movie
Jul 17, 2009
The movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is surprisingly light and humorous, despite the dark theme of the film. It’s not a typical Harry Potter film, since Harry and his friends have now grown up and have suddenly been seized, it would appear, by hormones. Although many may complain that it is a step in the wrong direction, the romance is handled almost perfectly and makes for an entertaining and comical experience, although it seems to overshadow the overall plot of the film.
Romantic Humor – Ron and Hermione
The romance is extremely amusing and fun to watch, Hermione steals the show with her visually explicit facial expressions communicating her deep desire to be more than a friend to Ron. Ron, in typical Ron fashion, fails to notice her growing interest leading to hilarious and heartbreaking consequences.
Ron’s twisted love quadrangles keep him extremely busy throughout the film, leading him to unconsciously declare his desire for Hermione, which of course he forgets ever happened. Ron and Hermione create a beautiful romantic tension so thick it could have been cut with a butter knife, preparing well for what is should to be a tender climax of their budding young love in the final two films.
Forced Love – Harry and Ginny
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Ginny and Harry, their relationship was underdeveloped and felt too contrived. Emma Watson shone where Daniel Radcliffe failed, in the innocent facial expressions and actions that displayed real emotion. Hermione’s declaration that she had seen the way Harry looked at Ginny comes as somewhat of a surprise to the audience, because throughout the film he barely looks at her in anything more than a friendly manner.
In fact, it is Ginny throughout the film that more aggressively pursues the relationship: stealing a book from his hand, chasing him into the wild after Death Eaters and comforting him in the final dark moments of the film, while Harry doesn’t really try anything. Moreover, Ron gets more disturbed by the sight of his sister ‘snogging’ Dean in the dark corner of the Three Broomsticks than Harry, Harry barely bats an eyelid – making it seem that he isn’t bothered in the slightest.
Unlike Ron and Hermione, Ginny and Harry didn’t have the buildup of the previous films to enhance their relationship, although that shouldn’t have been such a big issue. They did have their moments: an unusually long hug after an extended absence, a stolen kiss in the room of requirement and an uncomfortable silence when sitting alone together. The couple gives hints of being in love, but never fully develops the attraction.
Overall Plot and Action
Although the romance seems to eclipse the plot, the film is still well paced and fairly true to the book. The film follows the basic plot that Harry must befriend Horace Slughorn in order to learn one of Voldemort’s darkest secrets, while also ensuring Draco Malfoy doesn’t complete his mission to kill Albus Dumbledore. The special effects are top-notch and the action is brilliant, but brief – a little anti-climactic after the gripping fight scene of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – which may disappoint some viewers expecting more of an action movie and less of a romance film.
The film really shines in the humor; Ron’s antics are hilarious, whether he has a woman hanging around his throat or not. Apart from his romantic relationships, his comedic timing is impeccable – whether during his Quidditch performance, fighting with his brothers or unknowingly interrupting a private moment between Harry and Ginny. Harry too has his moment, most of Radcliffe’s emotion and talent really shining in the single scene he drinks liquid luck; regrettably he didn’t utilize it as well during his romantic encounters with Ginny.
There are a few shortcomings, the relationship Harry develops with the unknown Half Blood Prince through his textbook isn’t copiously explored, making the revelation of the true identity of the Half Blood Prince appear a little tacked on. Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom, who stood and fought beside Harry in the fifth film, were demoted, relegated to a few minute slots with very little to do. The only other qualm the audience may have is the poor editing, with scene changes appearing quickly and clumsily throughout several key scenes.
Conclusion
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is a heartfelt romp through the halls of Hogwarts. A romantic comedy at heart, it succeeds in developing the characters and setting up the story for what should be a magnificent showdown with Voldemort in the final films. It receives a 8.5/10 for almost getting every aspect of the film right, it is a valiant effort to portray a exceptional novel.
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