The HARRY POTTER series of films will stand as the strongest extended series in film history. Their success however rests on the shoulder of J.K. Rowling's wonderful novels. So it's not surprising that the weakest novel has produced the weakest film. But the weakest film in the HARRY POTTER series could easily be the best in any other. So what does it really matter? HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is still funny and exciting and features a lot of snogging.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has sort of come to terms with his Chosen One status and the pain that it brings. He's less angry at his fate and more accepting, even when it gets in the way of getting dates. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon, GOSFORD PARK) has a special task for Harry this year. He needs the Boy Who Lived to recover a memory from the returning potions teacher Prof. Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent, IRIS), who taught Lord Voldemort when the dark wizard was just a student named Tom Riddle. Slughorn is a collector of promising students. He's not psychic, but he knows that it's good to know future top wizards when they're young.
In between his covert operations with Dumbledore, Harry has romance on the mind. And so does everyone else at Hogswart's. Harry has developed a crush on his best friend's sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright), who has been in love with him since he first saved her in the Chamber of Secrets. But she's dating someone else. This is the same dilemma that Harry's best female friend, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), finds herself in. She's no longer denying her feelings for Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), but how can he withstand the whirlwind that is Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave)?
While love seems to be the ruling factor in most everyone at Hogswart's this term, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) has other things on his mind. A mysterious meeting between his mother Narcissa (Helen McCrory, THE QUEEN) and the always-shifty professor Snape (Alan Rickman, ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES) hints at a role for Draco that he might not have the nerve for. Fellow Voldemort follower Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter, SWEENEY TODD) doesn't seem to think Draco or Snape have the nerve. Snape changes her mind. Has Dumbledore put his faith in the wrong man?
As in the book, this film sets up more questions than it answers. The film doesn't spin its wheels as much as the novel, but it focuses a lot of time on the romance subplots. While for fans, it's fun and often funny to see the beloved characters growing up, but there are less unique internal struggles or relationships. While it's true that 16 year olds would be obsessed with the opposite sex, the film doesn't have the time to get into the nuisance of Rowling's book, while handling the plot as well.
Something both the book and the film don't do is take full advantage of the developing mentorship of Dumbledore to Harry. Dumbledore has protected the young man for years now, but he's been hands off. It might have been interesting to better contrast how Slughorn, who is played brilliantly by Broadbent, mentors students to better himself, while Dumbledore mentors students to help them.
In the end, the film works as the book, it sets up the final chapter. It actually telegraphs future events less than the novel. Director David Yates sets the mood well. He creates a foreboding beginning with a carefree middle, which ends in tragedy. The epic finale on film will come in two parts and HALF-BLOOD has set up those films well. Who is good and who is evil? Can Harry follow Dumbledore's example? With Ginny giving him something to live for, can Harry face death against Voldemort? Will Ron wake up and snog Hermione for goodness sakes?
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
