Comments on: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: What Did You Think?

By: nickdenife

nickdenife — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:23:37 +0000

I'd like to repost about this movie. I saw it again (this time, it wasn't opening night after work and it wasn't 3:00 in the morning – the only show I could get a ticket to – and I was in a little better mood [i.e. awake]) and I really enjoyed it. I still have a problem with what was left out and I suspect a lot of it is going to be in the next two movies, like what the other horcruxes are and how Voldemort got them to begin with, but for what they had to fit into the film, it was a very well-done movie. I suspect I'm going to like it even more when I see it again.

By: Bronwyn

Bronwyn — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:10:28 +0000

The movie was most definately the best so far. It was a much better mix of humour and action than any of the previous films, except perhaps the Prisoner of Azkaban. I was a little disappointed at how many things were omitted from the film, even tiny things like the large banner that should be on the weasley's joke shop saying 'Are you worried about you-know-who? you should by worrying about you-no-poo.' Other things, such as the relationship between Tonks and Lupin were just completely skipped over and they were just magically together at Christmas. If I hadn't read the books I would have had no idea what was going on there...

The added scenes, such as the destruction of the Burrow, were totally unnecessary. These could have been easily replaced with scenes such as the first battle of Hogwarts or Dumbledore's funeral. These are scenes that are sad in their own right and don't need over acting to be achieved, unlike the Burrow scene. Comments from the directors that they didn't put the battle in so that there wasnt repetition are just stupid. The battle in the 7th book is completely different to that of the 6th. Only D.A. fight in the 6th book and then are finally relieved by the Order of the Phoenix, whereas the battle in the 7th book is a full scale fight, with everyone that wants to fight, including giants, centaurs, werewolves and giant spiders, fighting.

I think the best part of the film for me was the death scene of Dumbledore, but unfortunately they have made Snape out to be an even worse person than he is in the books. The death scene was tragic and the music was PERFECT! I knew it was coming, I've read all the books and I was still reduced to tears. That is good film making. However I think they should have done the funeral scene to finish the movie... I was really looking forward to hearing the Phoenix song and the Mermaids but it sadly never happened. The ending was just too corny for what had just happened

Cinematography was beautiful and the conflict scenes are wonderful. If the movie was a little more coherent to the book then this would be the best movie I have seen in a long time...

By: Aleric

Aleric — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:52:33 +0000

Typical Potter film, long, slow, boring and no action at all to speak of. The same uslessness as always. Powerful magic users sitting around waiting for the bad guys to come for them and then not even fighting back. Makes you admire the Death Eaters, at least they have the balls to do SOMETHING. I also find it strange that the most powerful wizard of the school can't even defend himself against 3 other adversaries.

By: Michael C

Michael C — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:40:34 +0000

I just got back from my first viewing of 'The Half Blood Prince' (I say “first” because I intent to see it again as soon as possible). It was amazing! So incredibly well made and visually stunning… Granted, people are upset because the film tends to stray a bit from the original source… but you CANNOT go to the film expecting to see the book! It will never happen! You need to hold each in their own light, and 'Half Blood Prince' the film, shines brilliantly! The writing, the performances (especially from a very truthful and tender Emma Watson), and the cinematography was breathtaking! The comedic elements played very well in my opinion, and the ending was brilliantly portrayed. It wasn't a dramatic battle (as in the book), but it was a very tense and heartbreaking moment to witness. All in all, trying to fit a 652 page book into a film thats only 153 minutes? The producers did an amazing job! A truly magical film. All should see it! And who knows, maybe you will be like me and see it a 5th or 6th time… or 7th, 8th, 9th…

By: Kangaroo Be Stoned

Kangaroo Be Stoned — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:18:39 +0000

I apologize to everyone I've flamed.

By: Ravigotto

Ravigotto — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:23:01 +0000

I've read all the books a dozen times, because HP is an epic tale. I watched all the movies once because they were all, in generally, completely ****** up. Except for this one.

The difference, imo, between this movie and the previous before is that HP and the HBP is an story at itself, not like the other 5, which were all a display of scenes from the book, but never a coherent story. Sure, a LOT stuff from book 6 wasn't adapted. But watching this movie felt finally like watching a tale. You might or might not like it, but it was a tale. A good looking one too and that's why I liked it.

That doesn't mean I don't have some troubles with this movie, especially when it comes to the soul of the last chapter in the HP saga: the horcruxes. This aspect was way to rushed. How does Harry know what the other horcruxes look like? This can cause serious problems for the next two installments of the movie-franchise. I don't understand why they left the other memories out; they could've beeen easily adapted without taking to much time.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is by far the most action-packed book, and I fear for an movie that will focus on the action, without presenting the story behind, so that the action will feel a bit empty. But we'll see.

By: phaqueue

phaqueue — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:12:53 +0000

I really did not enjoy this movie as I have the previous Potter films…

The book was great – it spent the entire time focusing on setting up the final book, and really did a good job of it, a great job of revealing important information about the mains and about Voldemort in order to set up the final book/battle.

I think the movie fell short in this respect, I really think that way too much screentime was devoted to the “love stories” between the characters and could have been better spent explaining some things that were skipped over…

Honestly – I felt this was the worst in the series, and I hope that the final 2 movies strive to cover the gap left by this one… To me – this was a long series of poorly written attempt at romantic comedy, punctuated by an amazing cave scene, then a very anti-climactic death of Dumbledore and leisurely stroll through Hogwarts for those who just killed him…

By: PHiL

PHiL — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:53:01 +0000

I pre-oredered my IMAX tickets already since it comes to my IMAX July 29, 2009, but I'm going August 9th. What's the rush? It'll be there.

By: frenchie_exfan75

frenchie_exfan75 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:47:47 +0000

I totally agree with Aaron.
This movie is the worst HP ever.

what I disliked most was the 'teen movie' side of the film. It felt like half of the movie was about
snogging and stuff and they sounded like silly teenagers. It doesn't feel the same in the book!

what's more, the wrinting was horrible ! it was soappy, made you wanna vomit.
Like hermione saying 'harry like the deseeeert' in a totally silly way.
or harry saying to dumby 'you have always be the same for me' (or something like that because I watched the movie in French). >>Take out the violins !
Tssss!

And everything has gone too fast, as if they wanted to cram the whole story in 2 hours and half's time (OK that’s what they did but we’re not supposed to feel it :P)
And when dumby found out they had to drink the water, it felt like he had been suggested this idea in his EARPHONE.! Really disappointing because it was the one of the best moment of the book.

Well the only thing I liked was the very first scene with London in a mess, the effects were great.
And also the humor was not bad !

Voilà !

By: Kangaroo Be Stoned

Kangaroo Be Stoned — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:23:00 +0000

I just returned from seeing it and I really like it, more than any of the other films. I think the movie flowed well and I feel that it is a good adaptation. I've been reading the reactions from hardcore book fans and it's hilarious that they think it's shit because their favorite scenes in the book were not included. I don't give a fuck that scenes I like are not in the film and I don't give a shit about the changes because the overall plot is present. We learn about Voldemort's past and the horcruxes and I think that's enough. We don't need the entire conversation that took place between Harry and Dumbledore after they see Slughorn's real memory. The film told us what horcruxes are and how many Voldemort made. It is possible that the next two films will change a bit from the book in how they explain which ones Voldemort used and how the trio are going to find and destroy them. I am okay with that.

The movie is exceptionally well-made and the cinematography is excellent. The acting is quite good, especially from Rickman, Gambon, and Felton. Felton has proven to me that he is a better actor than the trio. The score is decent and there are some exceptional pieces, especially the bit during the salute to Dumbledore. I recall reading that someone bitched about Hooper reusing themes from Order of the Phoenix, a film he scored. Well guess what, Williams did the same shit in Chamber of Secrets and it worked, just like it works here.

David Yates did an excellent job and I am glad he is directing the final two films.

By: Kangaroo Be Stoned

Kangaroo Be Stoned — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:46:24 +0000

There was no battle at Hogwarts in this film because the filmmakers felt it would be repetitive to have one since there's one in the last film as well.

By: Reebee7

Reebee7 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:56:08 +0000

Yeah I guess, but it wasn't really action… They run through a wheat field and set the burrow on fire. If they wanted action, they could have done that last fight at Hogwarts right. What they should have done, since the film was character based and not very action oriented as is, is show more of the memories of Voldemort. I would have loved to have seen Ralph Fiennes play the part, without beings the disfigured monster he has become.

Also, the whole time the Burrow was burning, I'm saying “Put the fire out, you idiots!” As they just watched it burn. It wouldn't be half as funny if Harry didn't reveal at the end that there exists a spell to summon water…

By: Kangaroo Be Stoned

Kangaroo Be Stoned — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:46:24 +0000

There was no battle at Hogwarts in this film because the filmmakers felt it would be repetitive to have one in the last film as well.

By: Kangaroo Be Stoned

Kangaroo Be Stoned — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:46:24 +0000

There was no battle at Hogwarts in this film because the filmmakers felt it would be repetitive to have one since there's one in the last film as well.

By: Reebee7

Reebee7 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:56:08 +0000