Let's start by getting the obvious out of the way. This post is futile. Why you ask? Because regardless of what I say, if you're a fan of Harry Potter you've already seen this movie and if you're not nothing I say will make you see it. However, my compulsion to share my take on things pushes me onward and will not be assuaged. So, with that out of the way, let's carry on, shall we?
All things considered, I must say this is my favorite entry in the franchise. While some people prefer the third or fourth films, I felt the third was great but lacked something I couldn't quite place my finger on. The fourth on the other hand, seems to be the most highly regarded by the critics, but as a fan I felt it left out crucial sections of the plot. I understand it's not easy to compress such a large book for a movie adaptation, but it could have done a better job. The fifth was a return to form, but it concerned itself with the teenage first love subplot in too awkward a manner. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, however, David Yates and company have risen to the occassion marvelously. It's the tightest script we've ever seen out of the series, balancing humor with darker sections nearly seamlessly and providing a genuine good time. Thanks to the special attention payed to verbal comedy this time around, the film's two and half hour runtime doesn't feel nearly as long as it should.
Let's start with the three leads, shall we? Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have been on this since the start and I can confidently say this is the best we've seen out of them. Daniel Radcliffe is, perhaps for the first time, truly likeable. He still sells the boy-hero thing, but he also plays the straight man to Grint's (unexpected) comedic chops. He also plays for earnest comedy in the Felix Felicis scene and it works in ways I hadn't realized he could manage. On the other side of the comedy front we have Rupert Grint's Ron, who for the first time isn't just a sidekick, but a star all on his own. Not only is the script generous with him, his comic timing works great with it. And last but not least, Emma Watson's Hermione nicely balances comedy with teen drama without overdoing either one.
If we look past the leads we'll also discover a supporting cast that works wonderfully within the film. Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is as excentric and wise as ever, but the performance is still engaging. Furthermore, this is the first film in the series in which we get to see a vulnerable moment in Dumbledore's life. This is of course during the cave scene, in which his pain and pleading ring true with us, even if we only get a glimpse at them.
Evanna Lynch continues her excentric character (Luna Lovegood)'s use as comic relief. Even if this time around her role is smaller and her use as comic relief is all they get out of her character, she still manages to steal every scene she's in with her quiet demeanor and oddball antics.
Jim Broadbent (so thoroughly different from his role in Moulin Rouge!, I questioned whether it was the same man) portrays Horace Slughorn, a self-serving, connections obsessed professor who's memories are vital in aiding the defeat of Lord Voldemort. The performance is nicely layered, balancing humor, cowardice and shame in such a way that as pathetic a character as Slughorn is, we sympathize with him and even end up liking him.
Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange, on the other hand, is a dark force of destruction. She doesn't add anything this time, but I'll be damned if it isn't fun (and still somewhat terrifying) watching her destructive vixen act. There's a particular scene near the conclusion of the film where after taking part in a murder conspiracy, she runs through the woods, cackling and twirling like a murderous, gothic dervish.
Another highlight on the supporting cast is Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, who plays the child version of Lord Voldemort. His role is very small, but his performance is still wonderful (specially for a 12 year old with only one other film credit under his belt). His portrayal of the twisted child that would become the series antagonist is dark and subdued. Of special note to me was the gleeful fascination he shows when he realizes Dumbledore really is a wizard. We only get a glimpse of his face, but it shows so much (surprise, glee, wonder, desire, piqued interest). I can't wait to see what he'd do in a bigger role.
Alan Rickman's Severus Snape is at his most menacing here. Even though his wardrobe hasn't noticeably changed throughout the series, his cape looks like never before, like a black cloud of misery trailing behind him. He still balances the darker moments with some dry comedy, as he's wont to do; but it's still a nicely dark (if a tad small) performance.
Which leads us to the film as a visual experience. The sets are beautifully detailed and the wardrobe is still very decent compared to most big budget franchises these days. Deserving particular note is the film's cinematography, which in the final scenes uses cold, metallic colors and light to heighten tension and when combined with the aforementioned sets truly is a marvelous visual thrill.
And speaking of visual thrills, the other thing this movie consistently pulls off better than most big budget movie franchises out there is the visual effects. They're great, of course, but the thing they do remarkably well is blend seamlessly with the rest of the movie. They never overpower scenes they're in unless they have to (as in the ring of fire in the above picture, which is truly wonder to look at). It's refreshing to see a movie where even though there's magic and whatnot flying across the screen every so often you don't wonder midscene how much that digital effect cost or if it even is a digital effect; you just go with the flow.
Overall, I have a very positive opinion of this movie, even if the ending felt slightly truncated. This is not something it could've done better, as the book it's based upon also felt this way. The book's place in the series is a final exposition and setting of plot points before the grand finale. Even considering this, the movie was very entertaining and I applaud its darker plotlines and heightened efforts in every department. I highly recommend it.
Le verdict: ***1/2
P.S. It is a testament to the film's visual delights that this has been my most picture-heavy post. And just because I love you, here's another shot of Bellatrix looking deranged yet oddly alluring, as it should be.
All things considered, I must say this is my favorite entry in the franchise. While some people prefer the third or fourth films, I felt the third was great but lacked something I couldn't quite place my finger on. The fourth on the other hand, seems to be the most highly regarded by the critics, but as a fan I felt it left out crucial sections of the plot. I understand it's not easy to compress such a large book for a movie adaptation, but it could have done a better job. The fifth was a return to form, but it concerned itself with the teenage first love subplot in too awkward a manner. In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, however, David Yates and company have risen to the occassion marvelously. It's the tightest script we've ever seen out of the series, balancing humor with darker sections nearly seamlessly and providing a genuine good time. Thanks to the special attention payed to verbal comedy this time around, the film's two and half hour runtime doesn't feel nearly as long as it should.
Let's start with the three leads, shall we? Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have been on this since the start and I can confidently say this is the best we've seen out of them. Daniel Radcliffe is, perhaps for the first time, truly likeable. He still sells the boy-hero thing, but he also plays the straight man to Grint's (unexpected) comedic chops. He also plays for earnest comedy in the Felix Felicis scene and it works in ways I hadn't realized he could manage. On the other side of the comedy front we have Rupert Grint's Ron, who for the first time isn't just a sidekick, but a star all on his own. Not only is the script generous with him, his comic timing works great with it. And last but not least, Emma Watson's Hermione nicely balances comedy with teen drama without overdoing either one.
If we look past the leads we'll also discover a supporting cast that works wonderfully within the film. Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is as excentric and wise as ever, but the performance is still engaging. Furthermore, this is the first film in the series in which we get to see a vulnerable moment in Dumbledore's life. This is of course during the cave scene, in which his pain and pleading ring true with us, even if we only get a glimpse at them.
Evanna Lynch continues her excentric character (Luna Lovegood)'s use as comic relief. Even if this time around her role is smaller and her use as comic relief is all they get out of her character, she still manages to steal every scene she's in with her quiet demeanor and oddball antics.
Jim Broadbent (so thoroughly different from his role in Moulin Rouge!, I questioned whether it was the same man) portrays Horace Slughorn, a self-serving, connections obsessed professor who's memories are vital in aiding the defeat of Lord Voldemort. The performance is nicely layered, balancing humor, cowardice and shame in such a way that as pathetic a character as Slughorn is, we sympathize with him and even end up liking him.
Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange, on the other hand, is a dark force of destruction. She doesn't add anything this time, but I'll be damned if it isn't fun (and still somewhat terrifying) watching her destructive vixen act. There's a particular scene near the conclusion of the film where after taking part in a murder conspiracy, she runs through the woods, cackling and twirling like a murderous, gothic dervish.
Another highlight on the supporting cast is Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, who plays the child version of Lord Voldemort. His role is very small, but his performance is still wonderful (specially for a 12 year old with only one other film credit under his belt). His portrayal of the twisted child that would become the series antagonist is dark and subdued. Of special note to me was the gleeful fascination he shows when he realizes Dumbledore really is a wizard. We only get a glimpse of his face, but it shows so much (surprise, glee, wonder, desire, piqued interest). I can't wait to see what he'd do in a bigger role.
Alan Rickman's Severus Snape is at his most menacing here. Even though his wardrobe hasn't noticeably changed throughout the series, his cape looks like never before, like a black cloud of misery trailing behind him. He still balances the darker moments with some dry comedy, as he's wont to do; but it's still a nicely dark (if a tad small) performance.
Which leads us to the film as a visual experience. The sets are beautifully detailed and the wardrobe is still very decent compared to most big budget franchises these days. Deserving particular note is the film's cinematography, which in the final scenes uses cold, metallic colors and light to heighten tension and when combined with the aforementioned sets truly is a marvelous visual thrill.
And speaking of visual thrills, the other thing this movie consistently pulls off better than most big budget movie franchises out there is the visual effects. They're great, of course, but the thing they do remarkably well is blend seamlessly with the rest of the movie. They never overpower scenes they're in unless they have to (as in the ring of fire in the above picture, which is truly wonder to look at). It's refreshing to see a movie where even though there's magic and whatnot flying across the screen every so often you don't wonder midscene how much that digital effect cost or if it even is a digital effect; you just go with the flow.
Overall, I have a very positive opinion of this movie, even if the ending felt slightly truncated. This is not something it could've done better, as the book it's based upon also felt this way. The book's place in the series is a final exposition and setting of plot points before the grand finale. Even considering this, the movie was very entertaining and I applaud its darker plotlines and heightened efforts in every department. I highly recommend it.
Le verdict: ***1/2
P.S. It is a testament to the film's visual delights that this has been my most picture-heavy post. And just because I love you, here's another shot of Bellatrix looking deranged yet oddly alluring, as it should be.
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