Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was arguably the most anticipated movie of the summer. However, unlike most summer fare, this cinematic adventure delivers.
The film's opening sequence, as death eaters terrorize the muggle (human) world, sets the tone for the nearly three-hour adventure, and is CGI magic at its best (and it's even better in IMAX). Prince is just as dark and ominous as its predecessor, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As evil transcends around him, our "boy wonder," Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) prepares to return to Hogwarts for his fifth year at the magical school. However, before he can return, clairvoyant headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) sends Harry on a mission to bring Potions professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) back to Hogwarts in order to learn more about one of Slughorn's former students, Tom Riddle (aka Lord Voldemort).
Plots details aside, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the best Potter movie since Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Much of the credit goes to screenwriter Steve Kloves for condenscing yet maintaining the spirit of one of J.K. Rowling's beloved works. Director David Yates also proves the the Potter franchise is safe is his very capable hands. He draws solid performances from the film's young stars (Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint), but its the old chaps that steal the show. Gambon continues to play Dumbledore with fierce conviction, and no one appears to be having more fun on screen than Broadbent.
After a few subpar cinematic outings (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) the Half-Blood Prince seems to have righted the ship in preparation for 2010's two-parter Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Grade: B+
1 comment:
I agree - the Potter movies seem to be back on track. "Half-Blood Prince" was a much better rendition than "Goblet" or "Phoenix".
My favorite in these movies has consistently been Emma Watson - she is wonderful!
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