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HARRY POTTER David Yates Starring Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint Emma Watson As I stated toward the end of my review for Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix, the new additions to the on-going saga of Potter titles and subsequently, my reviews, are entering a sort-of 'fan only' territory. By that I was simply implying that at this stage the characters are so developed and the plot so interwoven that to approach the series fresh and without previous initiation would be unwise. So, let's have a quick recap of my thoughts and opinions over the years. The first two Potter titles (both directed by Chris Colombus) were a little tame, largely aimed at children but still largely enjoyable. The next two instalments, (Prisoner Of Azkaban and The Goblet Of Fire) both helmed by different directors were the highlight of the series, offering mature yet fun fantasy thrillers. Finally, two years ago, David Yates took charge for the fifth feature and I was a little disappointed; granted, the film was still worthy of the series and greatly entertaining but it lacked a significant thrill factor that the other four had produced -partly due to the fact that so much had to be cut from the book. Well, Yates has returned to direct film number six and will go on to finish the series with the two part release of the final book, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows and thanks to this release, I have the utmost confidence that he will do a stellar job of it. To offer a simple, spoiler-free plot description, The Half-Blood Prince opens on an action sequence detailing the growing acts of terrorism by Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters - I assume you're all familiar with the terminology - and the heightened state of fear that grips the wizarding world. From thereon in the plot divides itself into two neat chunks with a subtle string tying them together. The first explores the mystical realm of girls. Yes, for large parts of the opening half, this film could easily be considered a coming-of-age Rom-Com... with wizards. However, all the while, Draco Malfoy [Tom Felton] is plagued by a task he has been chosen to perform. The second chunk deals with the new arrival at Hogwarts, Professor Horace Slughorn (a rather eccentric 'collector' of students and famous faces, played rather well by Jim Broadbent) and Harry's understanding of Voldemort's time at Hogwarts. Essentially, this is book six of seven and the amount of things going on - tying loose ends from the previous books, setting up elements for the big finale - are incredibly complex and to detail them all would suffocate my review. Having acted in these roles for almost half their lives, our lead performers are now more than perfectly at ease with their responsibilities and requirements. As the series became darker and edged toward teenage issues, the books became more impressive, evolving from simple children's tales to considerable fantasy/sf titles and as such, the plights of our lead characters seem to hold a great deal more gravitas than in previous ventures. As always, Potter does tend to enrol the finest British actors/actresses on offer but it's nice to see that the student body are finally approaching such a level that their craft is comparable to their on-screen mentors and teachers. Once again, the plot seemed to be handled well, cramming as much from the weighty novel as possible, ensuring that all the key elements are addressed. The visual effects also saw a great improvement over those displayed in Order Of The Phoenix and although the score has suffered considerably over the years without John Williams, Nicholas Hooper has produced a body of work that consistently suits its onscreen counterpart. I wouldn't be surprised if fans are completely split in their opinion - those who enjoy the release and those whinging about the elements that had to be cut down or removed entirely but at the end of the day, as far as the film is concerned it's hardly a point of contention or concern. However, there are certain detrimental elements present throughout that affect the overall feeling; the bulk of which are owing to the progressive pace, curiously lingering at times whilst racing through other key elements - a recurring curse for any director attempting the cinematic translating and adapting of any literary work. In summation, the sixth instalment is an enjoyable standalone film as well as a decent edition to the expansive cinematic adaptations and well worth a watch. Release Date: UK - 17th July 2009 US - 17th July 2009 The Scene To Look Out For: Looking back on the earlier releases, I saw that Tom Felton had great potential as Draco Malfoy but he was always required to be a little 2D - the sort of wimpish bully, cowering behind his two large henchmen. Finally, in this chapter, his internal turmoil and self-ostracising has been captured extremely well aided by such subtle elements as framing: as the other students fall in-and-out of love as flippantly as teenagers do, one tall, skinny, maudlin pupil, skulks around the corridors wrestling with himself and the deed required of him. In a way (albeit an incredibly subtle way), it's slightly reminiscent of the loner attitude that is usually seen in those about to load an assault rifle and turn it on their fellow students. Notable Characters: With each passing role, Radcliffe is quickly proving that he's not just a one-trick pony and his acting capability is a growing force to be reckoned with. Whether he will be caught in a web of typecast roles and bit parts remains to be seen but until then, we can still be deeply immersed in his acts of teenage bravery and heroism mirrored neatly with a sophisticated charm that really sells his character. One scene in particular features a powerful potion designed to imbue an individual with infinitely spooling luck. I wouldn't say Potter's actions were at all lucky, more under the influence of alcohol merry and cocky but the confident swagger, goofy expressions and perfectly timed comments were a delight. Highlighted Quote: "He's covered in blood again, why is he always covered in blood?" In A Few Words: "Glorious return to form and one of the strongest films of the series to date" Total Score: 
8/10Matthew Stogdon |
