Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Movie Review
It’s FINALLY here. David Yates, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Jim Broadbent, Bonnie Wright, and many more hit theaters July 15th at 12:01am. It’s already sold out hundreds of theaters across the country, but is it worth it? Absolutely. If you can wait, the experience will be even better in IMAX, but the story and the visuals hold up no matter what theater you’re in.
First and foremost, there will be no spoilers in this review, so you can all just calm down. It’s time for the good, the bad, and the plot…
The Plot:
A now, much more mature Harry Potter starts his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It’s never an easy task for him to make it to school and this film is no exception. With the help of a good friend he makes it back and once there discovers an old book mysteriously marked “This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince” in the new teacher, Horace Slughorn’s class. With the help of Dumbledore, Harry begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort’s dark past. Meanwhile, everyone in the school appears to be hormone crazy and Harry, Hermoine, and Ron all deal with their own versions of love.
The Good:
- Special Effects: Eat your heart out Michael Bay. I didn’t even see the film in IMAX and the special effects were still some of the best I’ve seen. Some of the outside shots of the castle are absolutely brilliant. Spectacular no matter what screen you see it on.
- The Acting: Phenomenal. I could (and might) write an entire piece just on their acting. It’s amazing to see the main trio all grow up and be able to perform so well. Although there were a few stand-out performances….
- Alan Rickman: every line he says is spot on. You never know if you can trust him and his voice sends shivers down your spine.
- Rupert Grint: His character had the best and most relatable story line. He’s not super smart, he’s not gifted, and he’s not the best looking guy around, BUT he’s always there when you need him and he always gives his best even when others around him are doing better. He doesn’t give up, he keeps trying.
- All Grown Up: The characters, the story, the issues, everything has matured. Part of me enjoys seeing them as young adults, but part of me wishes they were still little kids running around with wands.
- Honest to the Book: Even when I was hoping it wouldn’t be. Although, as always, the book has more than the movie, but that has come to be expected.
The Bad:
- Over/Under Explaining: There are a few scenes that are repetitive and other scenes which feel completely under explained. I didn’t need the plot points explained to me over and over again, we all know Tom Riddle is evil, I needed to know why certain things were happening for no apparent reason.
- Half-Blood: I get what it means, but can someone explain why the hell that matters so much?
- Ginny: Bonnie Wright may be a great actress but I have yet to see them give her a chance to prove it. She plays a pivotal role in this film and yet has no arch. She had very few lines and I never truly saw what was so desirable about her.
- Stand Alone: This film doesn’t stand alone as much as some of the other ones. One film always leads to another, but this film left me a touch unfulfilled.
Overall:
The reason I enjoyed this film is that I love the characters, but it did feel a touch lack-luster. Although we have seen tragedy in the Potter films before, this film has a much more serious tone, which was balanced out with some cheesy and not always perfect moments. That being said, for all it’s fault, it’s still one of the best films to see this summer and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Rating: 7.75
What did you think of the film?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 6:48AM
thank you for the review!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7:01AM
Why the HELL do I have to wait A YEAR and 4 months for the NEXT movie to come out?!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 1:07PM
I was very disappointed with the movie… it left out important details for continuity within the story line… it was choppy and what the hell was it with the fire at the Weasley's? disappointing is the nicest thing I can say about the movie…
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 5:05PM
half-blood = wizard racism = serious modern literary (and otherwise) issue.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 5:41PM
I think they mean Rupert Grint, not Rupert Everett.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 5:52PM
I was very disappointed in the movie. It was way off the book. My least favorite so far. They had so much to work with how could they screw it up so bad??
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:26AM
[...] Screencrave Review | Other Harry Potter [...]
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7:31PM
Go read the books, Mali. But NOT before Time Traveler's Wife…
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:23PM
The fire and the battle scene at the Weasleys were comletely made up. I think it's a a bad idea to add parts the plot when it is hard enough to get all the important parts from the book into the movie. And why did they show Snape telling Harry to be quiet before he killed Dumbledore? Leading the audience to a different conclusion. . .
Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:29AM
i agree!!! this was the first of the book series that i read, the book was so amazing, and had such potential to be an awesome movie. i feel the director dropped the ball hard. i dont know if they even read the book. for some reason they felt the need to add utterly pointless scenes, and leave out the explanations that are needed to fully understand the full plot. two thumbs way down
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:26AM
I totally agree with your points! My complaints exactly!
Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:00AM
this movie will bomb after everyone figures out it sucked. wait til friday when the early goers have told everyone to save their money. Summer box office smash NO WAY!!! The only saving grace is that people will go see it because it has the Harry Potter name.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:31AM
The reason why the term Half-Blood is important is because Harry Potter is all about genocide. Voldemort deems muggles and muggleborns unworthy so a wizard who has one wizard parent and one muggle, or muggleborn is a Half-Blood. Voldemort, Harry and Snape are all Half-Bloods.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 5:33AM
half blood because his mother was a prince, so he was half blood snape and half blood prince
so it didn't really explain that at all in the movie
Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:22AM
I've seen it in french, and honestly I was disappointed. One of the main reason is that the french voices sucks. A lot. Especially for Hermione. Tops, they use words that are kind of a cliché, like "se bécoter" to mean "kiss". I don't know how they say that in the original.
The movie himself was not so bad, but too many important characters are left out, the romantic scenes are a bit kitsch, and WTF no fight scene at the end! :'(
Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:26AM
"Half-Blood: I get what it means, but can someone explain why the hell that matters so much?"
Without giving a spoiler, think about who the Half Blood Prince turned out to be, and the group he is associated with. It really wasn't all that difficult.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 7:44AM
Well and truely disappointed with the film. I am a true Harry Potter fan and was so excited to watch the latest addition of the movies, only to be completely let down.
The movie completely emitted important scenes and characters and instead included pointless scenes that weren't mentioned in the book.
They have focused on too much on the love stories and trying to make the movie funny, it completely lacks magic and emotion. Dumbledore's death was not done any justice whatsoever- there wasn't even a funeral held for him!
The ending of the movie was extremely poor with no fight scene.
Overall the movie was a complete wash out- if you are a true Harry Potter fan like myself then be prepared to be let down.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 8:17AM
All of the movies are pretty useless. The books were a phenomenon that I grew up with and loved. The movies are more like garbage hollywood excuses for movies that are designed to make money. There is no respect for the story. They change key scenes for unknown reasons and add nonsense. The attack at the weasleys was ridiculous, definitely not in the book, and unexplained. Why would two death eaters attack a house full of aurors? Then, after they made the attack they leave for no reason and there is no mention of the attack in the dialogue. Also, a half dozen wizards watch the Burrow burn to the ground. Did they forget they could do magic? I guess the books just don't translate into movies or maybe I just pay attention to little details too much.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:19AM
I thought the movie was really good, funny at least…although i do agree, they shouldn't of added and deleted some important thing….like the memory with the Gaunts….isn't that really important? Dumbledore didn't explain how he came across the ring or the meaning behind it or anything….that could be a problem for viewers who are too lazy to read the books…
he-he….
But the scene with the Weasley's house….wait….was that even the burrow? it didn't look like it….and how would they do all the stuff with the order in the next book if the house is burnt down? it was probably a different house…but they shouldve SAID this stuff!
but anyway….i still really loved the movie….and the effects, and i loved how this movie was actually….well, funny REALLY funny
Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:10PM
What a disappointment! Even my husband, who does not read the books, was disappointed with the movie. The importance of the book in the coming conclusion was completed obliviated by senseless teenage dribble. Were I not a fan of the books, I wouldn't even contemplate going to the next movie. Suffice it to say, I will not be adding this DVD to my collection when it's released.:(
Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:11PM
If I remember correct from the book (it has been a while since I read it) the battle or attack on the Weasley house was during the weddings ceremony of one of the older brothers to Lefluer in which the Death Eaters attacked and tried to get Harry out in the open (outside the magic protection shell). I do agree with the part about Snape shushing Harry before Snape killed Dumbledore since I do not remember anyone but Snape, Dumbledore, and Draco in the scene. Overall I am surprised they did that well with the movie for the time frame allowed.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:15PM
So bad it made me angry. My kids and I have enjoyed these books and movies together from the beginning, so the disappointment in this anstallment after much anticipation is great.
I've taught them why it is necessary when translating lengthy books for the big screen to sometimes alter or delete scenes, but in this movie the story changes seemed to be way too arbitrary. So often it is obvious that the scene as written by Rowling could have played in the allotted time and space just as neatly as the new scene, and it would have remained truer to the novel. Did Rowling give over complete creative control to the producer and, if not, how could she allow them to do this to her story? It was almost as if the screenwriter and director just decided they could do it better than the could she. The problem is, they couldn't, and the film falls entirely flat and extraordinarily anticlimatic with no big fight and flight climax (among other, all-too-numerous problems).
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:15PM
I was certain when I checked out reviews today that I would hear much more of these same critiques. However, aside from the astute amateur critics in this space, most seemed to really love it or, at least, like it a lot. What a bunch of knuckleheads! Makes you wonder if they really read the books.
I think what makes me most angry is that this is one chapter in a story that my family loves, and we can hardly bail out on it now. Still, it leaves a very bad taste and unquestionably diminished enthusiasm for the final (one can only imagine how they might butcher that over 5 or 6 hours). I will add this dvd to our collection merely to keep the set whole, however you can bet that it will not wear out from use the way the others have. What a shame!
Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:41PM
Ha ha. The movie sucked big time. One of the attackers in the Weasley Burrow scene isn't even a death eater, the Werewolf Fenrir Greyback, he can't fly either (well technically none of them can without a broom except for Voldemort). That scene wasn't even in the book and serves no purpose whatsoever. The book is so good it's sad to watch this terrible attempt at a movie adaptation of the book.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:30PM
While I was disappointed when I had to wait an extra 7 months for this movie to come out, I was not disappointed with the movie in general. I thought for the limited time frame of two and a half hours, they did a decent job. I do feel they focused a little too much on the teenage romance part and not enough on explaining the important aspects of the story.
I'm eager to see how they do with the final film.
Friday, July 17, 2009 3:47AM
the problem i believe is that even though it was not the longest book, almost every sentence was important.
Still pissed off about no fight scene!
Friday, July 17, 2009 4:17AM
This is probably the most consistent blog I have ever read. I agree with everyone who said the movie was at the least disappointing and more accurately quite bad. In my opinion, Half Blood Prince, with the exception of Deathy Hallows was by far the best. True fans of the Harry Potter series will be extremely disappointed with this film. Too many key facts were left out. I believe in creative license but this movie was a piece of crap. I understand that the film is rarely as good as the book. However, they managed to create some very good movies with the the first 4 films. Order of the Phoenix was also disappointing but again, it was better than Half Blood Prince. I really like the comment from Blue blue sky. Write or imagine your own version of Half Blood Prince. You will certainly do a better job than this movie.
Friday, July 17, 2009 8:38AM
I dont understand where you get the idea that the book and movie went hand-in-hand. There were so many differences; things added in the movie that didnt relate to the book and important issues in the book not even mentioned in the movie! I was horribly disappointed and believe this has been the biggest let down so far. It did not do the book justice whatsoever. And as for the half blood prince, we learn in the BOOK that the old potions book belonged to Snape, who we also learn only in the BOOK overheard the profecy and caused the death of Harrys parents. This is important because of Snapes questionable allegience to either Lord Voldemort or the Order; Harry believed the Half Blood Prince to be one of his parents or Serious because the book helped him through potions, but seemed to turn on him with the spell used on Malfoy. In the same way, Snape seemed to want to help the order, but then turned on them by killing Dumbledore.
by the way, I hated how they led the audience to believe that Snape still truely was on the Orders side in the movie, but you are left questioning Snape in the book.
Friday, July 17, 2009 8:40AM
I agree with the added romance throughout the movie. It didnt happen that way in the book and the movie made it seem cheesy and unauthentic.
Friday, July 17, 2009 1:34PM
You are so on!! I went to the midnight showing and I cried afterwards because they did not respect the detail and extraordinary work that JK Rowling dedicated to the book. This book was one of the most important in the series and it was not done justice. Any true Potter fiend walked away disappointed
Friday, July 17, 2009 2:55PM
i actually liked the movie, its not a bad one but i'm disappointed because it could have been so much better. why did they leave out the gaunt-scene or the explaination on what the other hocruxes will be?! that so doesnt make sense to me. and the fire at the weasleys? isnt a wedding supposed to be held at that burned down place? oh nevermind, bill + fleur arent mentioned anyways…
so that sucked.
but if i hadn't known the book, i'd have liked the movie. i still cried when dumbledore died.
but i DID miss some action at the end.
Friday, July 17, 2009 9:10AM
[...] Potter and the Half Blood Prince | Reviews | Screencrave Review | Showtimes and [...]
Friday, July 17, 2009 9:09PM
HBP was a disappointment. I can only hope that all the important stuff (back story on Tom Riddle, horcruxes etc. ) was left out of this movie so that it could be put in Deathly Hallows (two installments in the movie). Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix were excellent and I can’t believe they’ve miscalculated or dropped the ball on this one.
I really missed the part about Dumbledore’s funeral and what about the beginning of the book when the Minister of Magic has a meeting with the ‘real’ PM of Great Britain? That was a hoot– they lost some real opportunities here.
Friday, July 17, 2009 9:38PM
To All the Dumb – Hippo Griffs out there that said the movie was unfullfilling, " the story wasnt told", that part was missing"
The Movie was great…
They removed the parts because they had to adjust time
u shuld remember tat jk rowlings agrees to the script so u A@@ cant say they skipped something because u know JK wuldnt accept tat
The fight between aurors and death eaters in Hogwarts is skipped because the final part is also going to have the same battle … they didnt want it repeated and bore the audience…since david heymen just announced that the final battle is 30 minutes long.
the dumbledore part funeral.. i think shuld have been kept but i feel it was removed so that the movie doesnt get too melo dramtic
thought hey shuld have explained about the HALF blood Prince more….Common for god damm sake…..its the movies title !!!
Anyways gr8 movies for the fans!!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 12:05AM
Just got back from the movies and I must say it was a total let down. I have enjoyed every Harry Potter movie up to this one, it truely missed the mark. It was like someone totally different made the movie, kind of like what they did to James Bond! I will not go see the next one at the theater but I will rent it for home viewing, very disappointed!!!
Saturday, July 18, 2009 1:09AM
I was very disappointed by the movie. This one clearly was different from the book and many of the parts left out were crucial to the story. The ending was especially a let down. It seemed like the deatheaters walked in, killed Dumbledore then casually left without any argument. Even Harry showed little emotion to this trauma. Compared to the death of Sirius, it made no sense. I find it hard to believe that JK Rowling allowed them to butcher her great work. It's been 3 days since I saw it and I still feel let down.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 1:31AM
HBP was a disappointment. I can only hope that all the important stuff (back story on Tom Riddle, horcruxes etc. ) was left out of this movie so that it could be put in Deathly Hallows (two installments in the movie). Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix were excellent and I cant believe theyve miscalculated or dropped the ball on this one.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 2:21AM
Great review, unfortunately not so great a movie. I, too was extremely disappointed! Why did they burn the Weasley's house down? What was that all about? Why did they coax Harry out and then not attack him? Why didn't they just burn the house down with everyone inside if they could do that? The questions just keep coming? So many important points to the storyline were left out of the movie and yet they took the time to burn down the Weasley's house?? Go figure.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 2:27AM
I am so glad I came to this website. The people who have actually read the Potter books are echoing my sentiments exactly. I have been disgusted as I read the leading movie critics rave over this movie. It's hard for me to believe it even made sense to them. The story line is so botched up, with so many crucial points left out. Just like you I was angry. I will hang in there and hope that they don't make the same mistakes with the last two movies, but if the people who produced this movie listen to the major critics they are going to get the wrong impression – that they did a good job.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 4:36AM
One thing i was also disapointed of was the scene of the rectus empra spell. yes it would have been a bit too gory for the rating of the movie but then later on in the cave they portrayed the dead creatures coming out of the water very much like something from the ring or the grudge.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 7:06AM
I liked the movie overall, but was extremely disappointed with the opening scenes! Could they not get Gordon Brown or Tony Blair to do a cameo and show the real opening scene? Why did they once again cut out the Dursleys? That scene in the book is MUCH better than what they chose to add! And why didn't they go into Snape's Defense Against the Dark Arts classes? I understand cutting out some scenes for time sake, but adding scenes that were not part of the book was unnecessary! I also think they made a mistake by showing what Malfoy was up to in the room of requirement. That was really supposed to be a surprise!
On the plus side, the actors did a great job acting out their scenes. Michael Gambon in particular did a much better job in this movie than the last few. Reasonable people may disagree, but I was always partial to Richard Harris' version of Dumbledore, because he seemed to closely resemble the Dumbledore in the book. Emma Watson was brilliant once again as Hermione Granger. Rupert and Dan put in outstanding performances.
In all, I say go see the movie, but understand that it is "loosely adapted" from the book.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 3:26AM
i was completely disappointed with how the movie turned out. Why the hell did they not include the fight scene in the end? That was like the most important and most emotional part of the book. The way everyone reacted to Dumbledore's death was pure baloney. Raising their wands just to repel the Death Mark? That is all they could do?!?! crap!
Sunday, July 19, 2009 10:30AM
What a load of rubbish! The book could have been translated into a brilliant film, but instead they've butchered an exciting and good book, making this the worse in the series thus far. They should bring back the first director and give Rowling more chance to input into the next ones as this one and the order of the pheonix have left out many important points and been so deviated from the books that any fan of the books could have made these into a better film.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 1:38PM
I have not read the books but I have seen all the previous movies. A lot of fans of the books seem to think that the people who haven't read them might enjoy this movie more, I for one did not.
This movie seemed to jump from "hannah montanah" to "the dark knight" every two minutes and fails to expose a logical and cohesive plot. Important characters and occurances are introduced and whisked away in a flash, without any explanation as to motivation or cause. This makes it very hard to relate to the characters and makes a portion of the script seem forced, unnatural or simply illogical. Many of the serious or scary scenes do not ellicit any of the intended emotional responses because the characters do not exude any real sense of fear, menace or danger. Any sense of build up or climax to those scenes is ruined by the constant switching between light-hearted teen relationship issues and grave mortal peril.
I found this movie confusing and incohesive and its' characters hard to understand/relate to. Both the scene in the cavern and DD's death did not have any impact on me.
Sunday, July 19, 2009 3:23PM
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE was awesome but it wasn;t like the others. Where they go after Voldamort and try to find a way to stop him. It was very good but i hoped that they would have actually fought Voldamort in the movie but you did find out alot of backround information on Tom Riddle (Voldamort). Well worth a view!
Monday, July 20, 2009 2:00AM
you guys are ridiculous…it was a really good movie. I've read all of the books and I thought this one (despite the added scene at the Burrow) followed the book quite well. Movies aren't like reading a book and they did a great job.
Monday, July 20, 2009 12:34PM
i agree the film was a let down, they missed out the fight scene between the teachers and the death eaters at the end.
Monday, July 20, 2009 3:54PM
I have read the books, so I too was looking forward to the high points of the book. The parts they had to have in, because action and special effects are what sell a movie…right? Apparently not, for they left out the biggest action scene of the whole book? Skip the attack on the Weasley's and put in the real action scene!!! I also understand that they have to change some details to fit the movie…but some small things that make no sense were changed. Why have Luna find Harry and not Tonks? They didn't omit Tonks from the movie just that scene, which made no sense. Why have Harry in a diner? Put him in his house where he belonged, and use the story.
I sometimes wonder if someone who hasn't read the books even has a clue what is going on at times. So many important things were left out.
Wait for this on DVD! Do not waste 2.5 hours of your time and money at a theater. You will simply be disappointed at best…more likely angry.
Monday, July 20, 2009 8:01PM
well the sixth part of harry potter leads us to total confusion because everything including dumbledores death is explained the 7th part is totally awesome and has a lot of suspenses i think that people should read the 7th book. also snape is a good person and has lived his life to protect harry and killed dumbledore because dumbledore asked him to as dumbledore was about to die anyway due to the curse in his hand anyways try reading the 7th book
Monday, July 20, 2009 9:46PM
Harry was under the invisibility cloak and his precense was only known by dumbledore. It was originally only malfoy and dumbledore then three other death eaters came in. Two are not important and the other was Greyback who made a move towards dumbledore but was stopped by the other death eaters because it was Malfoys task. Then Snape came in and said nothing but the killing curse. The movie was upsetting because Harry was a wimp. Dumbledore stupified harry because he knew he would step up like hes always done in the books (not the movies) and not back down from a fight. They should have kept to the book better
Monday, July 20, 2009 9:48PM
Harrys not a half blood, both his parents are wizards. His mother was a muggleborn though just like hermoine
Monday, July 20, 2009 11:09PM
i agree with the other posters, leaving key parts out and then fabricating new ones just didnt do it for me. It just leaves you wondering how they are going to explain this all out in the next movies. No funeral, Dumbledore's wand was in the office at the end not in the casket. No battle at the end, no kreacher, No Bill and fleur, so i guess no wedding next movie, they didnt show all of the voldemort's memories. Now that they have started down this road, they have no choice but to make more changes. It is not fair to the books, and the fans who loved them
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 12:57AM
Let Down, mad, all the wait for that…I hope Yates can pull his head out for the final two because that was a total waste of time and money.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1:17AM
Worst…… HARRY Potter…… E V V ER ……… I will only see it four more times.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:09AM
there was a fight between the teachers and the death eaters in the book? that should be in the movie!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:56PM
huuuuuge disapointent ; they better make the 7th one GOOD.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:39PM
I’ve read every book more than once except for the 7th which I am reading for the second time presently and having seen HBP for the second time really made me realize how great of a movie this was.
Those who say the attack on the Burrow was pointless COMPLETELY missed the underlying message the scene conveyed. The scene showed how utterly dangerous the world is and how easy it is for the Death Eaters to get to Harry outside of the safely enchanted grounds of Hogwarts. This foreshadows the upcoming danger and peril of the next movie, as it takes place all outside of Hogwarts (except for the final Battle).
The only thing I disliked about it was that Dumbledore did not immobilize Harry at the top of the astronomy tower before Draco arrived. I don’t see why they couldn’t include that, but the scene DID serve to show that Harry has full respect for Dumbledore and trusts him 100%.
The movie was great, the Burrow can easily be restored through magic and those of you who despise the movie have to remember that J.K. Rowling wrote the BOOK, not the movie. The director has every right and obligation to put his own stamp and interpretation into it.
Oh, also, those who were angry about the lack of the funeral should look up the recent interview with HP 1-7 producer David Heyman, who explains that the funeral would have stretched the death of Dumbledore too far after the scene of Harry returning to grieve over Dumbledore’s body. The students holding up their lit wands to destroy the Dark Mark served perfectly well as a farewell to Dumbledore.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:58PM
And to all of you whining about the absence of Bill and Fleur, GET OVER IT, they simply didn’t have enough time for them as they are not important to HARRYs story. However, the role of Bill has been cast for DH, as we’ll as the return of Clemence Poesy as Fluer so stop crying.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:59PM
And to all of you whining about the absence of Bill and Fleur, GET OVER IT, they simply didn’t have enough time for them as they are not important to HARRYs story. However, the role of Bill has been cast for DH, as we’ll as the return of Clemence Poesy as Fleur so stop crying.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 1:45AM
I thought the movie was very disappointing, they over did some parts and left out others and even changed parts that will need to be linked to the next movie.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:06AM
They hype up the action and sex wich leaves no room for the actual story but not unlike every other movie these days. It was nothing i didnt expect.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:50AM
The whole Burrow scene doesn't exist in this novel. I agree with the burrow being different i felt like Hogwarts was too. The stupid director took out all the good parts and left all the crap. No explination about other horcruxes. How they gonna explain that in the next movie. What about Dumbledore's funeral? How they gonna explain his body stayed at Hogwarts when Harry comes to dig it up to get the deathstick. YATES TOOK OUT THE ONE IMPORTANT BATTLE IN THE WHOLE BOOK! I WANTED TO SEE LUNA AND NEVILLE AND EVERYONE KICKING DEATH EATERS BUTT!! Pissed off at the every movie now. Did JK even look at the script before they filmed this??
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:02PM
Idiot.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 1:57AM
This movie was absolutely awful. It was offensive to all readers of the novels and did not adhere to the truths of the characters or the truths of the story. Luna CANNOT save Harry on the train by seeing the cloak through a pair of glasses, that contradicts everything we are told about the cloak and the fact that it is one of the hallows. harry cannot be afraid to talk as captain (and has to be saved by Ginny), the team would not disrespect Harry given who he is and the fact that he is captain, moreover harry would not make a buffoon the goal keep. There is so much more WRONG with this movie and the slap stick comedy it substituted for the insightful, dramatic and at times humourous story that JK Rowling told.
I call for all fans to boycott and hopefull the studio will see sense, fire the director and rehire any of those from books 1 – 4. At least that is the only hope I see for Book 7, if they keep this director I hope all fans raise their voices in protest. yes, this one is done I would at least like to see a proper conclusion and some hope of redemption!
Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:09AM
verification – its either pure blood (no muggle connection at all); halfblood (a muggle connection, diluted or not); or mudblood (both parents are muggles). harry is not a pure blood; infact when Dumbledore talks about Voldemort identifying harry not Neville as the threat (prophesy) he supposes that part of the reason is that Harry is a half blood and the threat lay there not with the pure blood
Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:22AM
Your ignorance is showing and it is hard to believe you ever read the book or understand anything about subtleties and subtext. How does it make sense to anyone to remove legitimate integral details and replace them with nonsensical crap! I doubt JKR 'agreed' with anything about this movie, its more likely that she gave up creative control when the project first started and now there is liitle she can do about it. So don't go lumping fans in your appreciation of this drivel and your lack of even a modicum of movie sense.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:28AM
I totally agree and love this review. Please consider placing in a paper or anywhere the producers can see it and realise they made a terrible mistake keeping this director and under no circumstances should keep him for the next, butchering two great books is enough. Please please post where those with power to redeem the movies for fans of both books and movies might see.
Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:33AM
'followed the book well"! so anyone with Luna's glasses can see the cloak and its powers are not as great as the book says; further harry is into nepotism because he will select a buffoon rather than a talented quidditch player; harry had no real feeling for Sirius and is able to forget him quite easily and no one cares that voldemort is back, there is no fear of him and he can go ahead and rule! if thats the book you read, i defintely read one from a different realm
Thursday, July 23, 2009 9:46PM
Have to agree with your thoughts–Grint did wonderfully. You expect the "british royalty" actors to do good stuff, and Broadbent definitely delivers a Slughorn who's every bit as interesting as the character ought to be. So in contrast, I was dissapointed that Ginny /bonnie wright didn't charm my socks off–heck, I felt more chemistry between Harry and that watiress (some reviews have even called that a "star making turn" for that actresss). Which leads to another point–why put that scene in ? I'd have rather had more Snape (the movie is called the Half Bood Prince) after all.
Friday, July 24, 2009 8:57AM
not completely true, pure blood wouldnt be no muggle connection at all, e.g having a muggle for an uncle would not make u a half blood. so would only be if ur a direct desccendent of a muggle, like father/grand father/ mother etc.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:58AM
I just wanted to list all the things they left out, ten i will make a comment:
1. the beginning scene were Harry inherits the Black house and Kreature
2. the part where Dumbledore tells Harry he will be taking lessons that could help him defeat Voldermort.
3. The fact that Tonks and Remus were not a couple in the begining
4.A lot of Draco's story was left out
5.They were supposed to take apperation lessons
6.A could have been scene when Ron hit Harry for snogging Ginny
7.Bill and Fleur's story
8.The big battle in the castle
9. Bill getting attacked by Fenfir
10. The scene where Scrimgeour shows himself to the muggle Prime Minister
11.They left out Crabbe and Goyle being turned into girls to lookout for Draco in the room of requirement
12.All of Riddles background, with that good luck at finding the horocruxes because they never even went into how Dumbledore sowed him what some of them could be
13.The end where they found out how Snape was the half-blood prince
14. ginny and Harry actully becoming a couple
15.the biggest thing Dumbledore's Funeral
16.Dumbledore's memory where Riddle asks for a job at hogwarts to teach defense against the dark arts.
17.they left out the when harry finds out that Snape is the one who overheard Trelawney's prophecy about Voldermort during her interview for the position as divination teacher with Dumbledore
18.the fact that Harry used his invisibility cloak a couple of times b/c Dumbledore told him to keep it on him at all times
19.How Harry told Ron and Hermoine that he was going with Dumbledore to get the next horucrux and gave them the rest of the Felix and maurder's map
20. For those who dont understand what half-blood prince has to do with the move, b/c they didnt explain it at all in the movie. Snape is half muggle and half witch. His mother was a witch whose last name was…Prince. so he was proud to be half Prince. also it has to do with Voldermort, Harry and Snape because they are all half blooded. Voldemort mother was witch and father a muggle. Harry mother was muggle born and father was a wizard, and Snape,as i already explained, mother is a witch and father a muggle.
WTF!!!!! I could go on but as i wright this i get more upset at how they took a great book and flushed it down the toilet. Also they found time to put made up scenes that never happened in the move but couldn't find the time to put actual plots from the book in there. what sence did that make.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 3:58AM
LOUSY – not worth the price of the ticket!!!
Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:19PM
Completely rubbish. Slughorn was a good actor, but the movie was really bad as it missed out so many important scenes. And yeah the weasleys house on fire. What the hell? The scenes were not joined together greatly. And it was too jumpy. My parents who haven't read the books at all have completely no idea what is going on. Although i do since i have read the books.
Sunday, July 26, 2009 7:42PM
You guys have all mentioned very valid points as to why this movie was so terrible. i'd just like to add that Dumbledore's death scene was horrifically altered. I mean Snape taps Harry on the shouder and say "shhh"…..LOL come on, don't mess around with the details of the book that much. Whatevs
Monday, July 27, 2009 3:02AM
You know, when i first read this book and learnt that dumbledore had died, i actually cried and to have a movie shred it bits without any respect for the book is sheer Hollywood atrocity. NEVER let a Hollywood studio translate a magical work from England. They know nuts about it.
Not going to watch the next 2 instalments directed by David 'you should be fired along with your screenwriter' Yates.
Monday, July 27, 2009 6:42AM
This wasn't a movie about wizards, magic, or defeating an evil wizard. It was a movie about teenage angst and love triangles. I almost walked out of the theater.
Monday, July 27, 2009 10:23AM
i havent seen it yet but even the trailer sucked
Monday, July 27, 2009 3:10PM
The movie sucked. It was choppy and disjointed. Too many things werent explained. Heck, if you didnt read the books you were probably lost. I have really loved all the other movies and was *very* disappointed in this one. I echo the sentiments expressed by others that "why add bogus scenes if you don't have time to fit the whole book in as it is? " They added unnecessary and stupid scenes totally cutting out the big fight scene with the students at the end! What?! I was so bored I even started texting in the middle of the movie. I am concerned about the next film. I wish I could get a refund…Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was a HUGE disappointment.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 10:14PM
just remember it is not the next movie…. it is the next movie covering only half the story. David Yates is making Book 7 into 2 books to be released approximately 7 months apart.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 4:51PM
My 17 yr old son wanted to go this weekend after watching the first five movies. So I went with him.
He looked at me at the end and said, "Is that really the end?". He was really dissappointed and he didn't read the books. I read them all and I was dissappointed also. I guess we were expecting too much from Hollywood!
Thursday, July 30, 2009 3:35AM
Good review thanks. I went to see it at Imax in Melbourne (http://www.imaxmelbourne.com.au) – I had a great time – the 3D managed to distract me from the issues mentioned here!
Thursday, July 30, 2009 4:08AM
Despite its shortcomings I did enjoy the movie just for the joy of the visualizations and hearing Alan Rickman's glorious voicing of Snape. I was disappointed and puzzled in their changing of the movie scenes, especially 2 key areas. Harry is not stupefied and under his invisibility cloak at the time of Dumbledore's death. That changes the whole aspect of the scene. The other issue was that Ginny accompanied Harry into the room of requirement and it was she who hid the book and not Harry. So now he does not know where it is, nor does he handle the Diadem/tiara that is so crucial in the last book. I don't know where they are going to go with the story now because this changes everything.
Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:50PM
This movie was very bad. If Yates had put in what he was supposed to (and made the movie work) he wouldn't have had to add stupid moments (burrow fire, beginning w/Harry in cafe). The LARGEST MISS was that Harry was by himself in public when V and his death eaters are out-and-about. We all know that 'in these times' Harry would not be allowed by himself. The opening with Dursleys is a huge gaping hole and it would have told us info on the inheritence, kreacher and stuff for HP7….Albus' hand should have been uglier than 4 slightly black fingers, the burrow fire was beyond stupid (again HP running around by himself) nothing even happened! Tonks should have found HP on the train (we missed the Tonks/Lupin and Bill/Fleur connections) … and the lack of the castle battle leave a hole (even if HP7 has a fight HP6 should have shown it), wo the fight there was no reason for Draco to fix the cabinets. 60% of this movie was BAD…should be done over. HP7 looks like its already in trouble. Yates will add meaningless stuff and omit things anyone following HP would expect.
Friday, July 31, 2009 11:57AM
For those who say the fight scene wasn't necessary in HP6 YOU are the one missing the point (you too yates), in HP5 some of the students learned to fight, the HP6 fight scene would show that more of the students have learned to fight evil leading up the HP7 where everyone is fighting V and his considerable dark group. For those posters who say the Burrow scene was great because it showed how evil can get to HP misses the whole HP1 through HP5 – the Burrow and the Dursley's houses have enchantments, enchantments that are mentioend as being broken in HP7 (dursely's home by HP coming of age and the burrow by the death eaters/ministry connection). For those who say there wasn't enought time to do it right, I'd like to know how much time the EXTRA scenes took, removing them would have allowed more time for real stuff or split it into 2 movies – they split HP7. JUST DO THE MOVIES RIGHT that's all we ask. HP6 should be done over it was an injustice to the fans (although the actors were great)
Friday, July 31, 2009 4:15PM
i agree with you the movie was such a dissapointment. I love the Harry Potter books and i understand that they cant put everything from the book in the movies but all the other movies were as close to the books as they could be but this movie left out soooo much. I was so excited to see it when it came out i was looking forward for the big fight at the end and there was nothing it was just soo poorly made. So many things were left out and it was just very choppy and seemed to be all over the place. I think the only reason its made so much money is because of the Harry Potter name. Harry potter fans just love to see the movies as i do but i was just completely let down and i hope when the make the last book into a movie they do a wayyy better job in sticking to the book than this one!
Thursday, August 6, 2009 4:12PM
I was SO ANGRY at the film. This is what i think happened…
David Yates: You know, I think I'll leave out the main plots, and draw out all the romance stuff so it becomes the real main plot. I'll give Bonnie Wright some really bad lines to say so she looks bad and THEN I'll throw some extra rubbish in because I feel like it. I never did like the Burrow.
JK Rowling: What have you DONE to my book?!?!??!?!!
David Yates: I like romance.
JK Rowling: Then go and do a ROMANCE film!!!!! I HATE YOU!
Me: I HATE YOU TOO, MR YATES!
All joking aside, I was so upset. For God's Sake, it was just too much girls and boys. Harry Potter is about FIGHTING and MAGIC, DEATH and DANGER. David Yates changed it so much, I don't think I'll be able to watch that movie again.
Thursday, August 6, 2009 10:03PM
If the "movies are more like garbage…", Liam, then why have you bothered to watch this one?
Friday, August 7, 2009 10:10PM
As an independent movie with not relation whatsoever with the previous movies or books, it was a great production, though the development of the story was a somehow lazy in explaining all the important details about Voldemort's past.
However, if you keep the continuity with the movies and the book, this movie is mostly a disappointment. Starting with the burning of the Burrow, my two objections are: how is it they even dared to present a scene that wasn't mentioned in the book? And second, how was it possible Death Eaters could carry out such an attack when the book explicitly says that the Burrow had special protection from the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic?
Additionally, the movie focused too much on love issues (and love was never and important issue until very later in the book). Furthermore, Ron and Hermione never express authentic love for each other until the Battle of Hogwarts in the final book.
Friday, August 7, 2009 10:11PM
As a final point, too many memories were ommitted. The whole point of Harry's meetings with Dumbledore was to dicuss about Voldermort creating Horcruxes and which objects were those. However, the movie left out many importand memories such as the one of Hepzibah Smith, who present the Hufflepuff cup to Riddle. Also, too many discussions between Harry and Dumbledore were left out, practicaly leaving the viewer to guess what exactly are Horcruxes and which one may they be.
By the way, two things that really made me be disappointed where the notorious ommission of the climatic battle from the book and Dumbledore's funeral.
Personally, I think producers should have sacrificed a litlle more time for the sake of including certain parts that did advance somehow the general plot and eliminated certain scenes that should have happened in book 7 or should never have happened at all.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 7:51PM
at least somebody on this site knows what their talking about
Monday, October 12, 2009 3:58AM
I completely agree. The whole point of the movie was supposed to be about finfing out about voldamorts past and it only showed two memories. It could have at least showed the fight scene at the end when the death eaters break into hogwarts… I really wanted to see the memory where voldamort comes back to dumbledore and asks him for a job as a teacher. I could have done a better job on the movie than david yates…
Monday, October 12, 2009 4:01AM
Ur an idiot… and u have a bad memory
Saturday, October 17, 2009 12:54AM
Luna didn't see the clock with the spectrespecs, she watched Wrackspurts around Harry. She said that Wrackspurt are invisible creatures that going to people's head and make their brain go fuzzy. I liked that scene because Luna was there. Stop whining.
Sunday, October 18, 2009 5:11AM
After seeing the previews, I was so excited to see the movie because I actually thought all the good parts were going to be shown. Little did I know that everything was flipped upside down which made for a horrible and disappointing movie. Among many other problems already mentioned, Slughorn was not nearly fat enough as I imagined and what the heck happened to Dumbledores funeral? So much was left out that I do not understand how the next movie is going to work. I wish Alfonso would have never given up on directing the movies because he was fantastic!
Monday, October 26, 2009 3:14PM
What is wrong with you people? Haven’t you seen the fifth film? The Order of the Phoenix is far by the worst film in the franchise. Half Blood Prince was an improvement compared to that film.
Sunday, November 29, 2009 7:33PM
I HATED THIS MOVIE !
it was crappy . I use to be the biggest Harry Potter fan ever ,
and this movie ruined my spirit.
I wasted my precious time watching this ,
I feel so disappointed.
;-[
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 12:39AM
it was rubbish, complete and utter rubbish. Too much went unexplained and then, the extra scenes? Seriously? Key plot points that were important to move into the final book/movie were either left out or only half exposed. I understand there's no way to make it completely true to the novel but that was terrible.
Friday, December 18, 2009 6:42PM
Complete agree.
Also other small small things.Ginny hid the book in Room of Requirement. But actaully Harry will hide it and he will see the Diadem. Later he will remember the same in 7th book.
Don't know how they are going to explain it, probably they will let Ginny to find the Diadem again or she will tell harry some thing like that. Who knows?
Friday, January 1, 2010 9:20PM
This is what happens when the people who make the movie do not respect the original story. To make any sense of the ongoing story told in the books, this movie MUST tell us about Tom Riddle and Severus Snape. While some of Riddle's background is revealed, we learn nothing more about Snape. That certainly doesn't bode well for the last episode(s). I didn't take the time to look up who is making them, but I certainly hope it's not this director and screenwriter. Certainly this story is far too complex to tell it completely in the movie, but why deliberately create situations that never occurred in the book and to nothing to further the story, such as the destruction of The Burrow? The screen writer's poor story telling and contempt for the original story doesn't bode well for the remaining Harry Potter movies, which is a shame since there were really enjoyable performances in this movie. Too bad the actors had such a poor script to work with.
Saturday, January 2, 2010 11:54PM
The film was very poor. Having read the books several times, i could (if i cared to) write an exhaustive list of how much has been left out entirely or altered beyond recognition, for no disernable reasons.
The added scene was, quite frankly, perplexing and unneccessary.
The excellent character developments and central plotlines of the book (the young Tom Riddle, the Horcruxes, Snape's history) are largely disregarded in bizzare fashion, in exchange for romantic themes which, though admittedly important, where no where near as vital to the overall as that which they left out.
Very disapointing. And to anyone who would argue that the books are too complex, long etc to be transferred to the big screen in their entirety (or as near to it as one could reasonably concieve) i point your attention to the Lord of the Rings trilogy which proove a hefty, involved and diverse books can be made into an excellent, satisfying films.
Sunday, January 3, 2010 8:03PM
Definitely nothing on the book. So many scenes were absolutely pointless, and they still left out important parts from the book! I felt they focused far too much on the romance, so it actually had the opposite effect. I ended up rolling my eyes every time a ''romantic'' scene came up. The movie left me completely devoid of feeling. The Inferi bit was scarier in the book, and even Cedric's death was sadder than Dumbledore's. I expected this movie to move me in some way or the other, but it didn't. Not as well made as the others.
The only thing left to say is that I hope the seventh one is much, much better.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 4:51AM
hated the movie for a moment i thought it was directed by the same idiot who directed twilight!