Movie Megan Rating: 3 out of 5 Recommended For: Middle school age and above
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter Directed By: David Yates Running Time: 2 hr. 33 min. MPAA Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has returned for his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now that Voldemort is definitely back, Death Eaters are on the loose, terrorizing Muggles and trying to penetrate Hogwarts. Schoolwork is the last thing on the students' minds, except for Advanced Potions Class. Harry excels in the class, thanks to an old text book, complete with answers scribbled in the margins by someone mysteriously called The Half-Blood Prince. Jealousy rages between Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) when Ron starts dating a clingy and obsessive Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave). Harry isn't immune to the raging hormones, which seem to have cursed Hogwarts this year, and finds himself realizing he has a thing for Ron's sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright). But Harry's most important task is obtaining a memory from the new Potion's teacher, Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent)--a memory in which lies the key to destroying Voldemort.
First of all, I can't say enough about the effects in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. From the first 5 minutes, audiences are entranced by breathtaking visuals. Even the sound effects are spellbinding. There are terrific performances by Jim Broadbent (who is captivating as Slughorn), Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe. We get to see a side of Radcliffe we never knew existed. But sadly, the entrancement does not last long.
Throughout the entire film, audiences are lifted into a euphoria of entertainment for one moment, only to be dropped flat on their faces the next. You can definitely tell which scenes the production team focused on, and that should never be the case. A truly good film should flow seamlessly--audiences should never be able to identify editing, dialogue, composition--we should be too busy walking around inside the world we've come to explore. That said, I found myself consistently excited at the beginning of a scene, only to be let down when nothing special happens in the end.
(Spoilers from here on out.)
This is partly why I found the romantic scenes uncomfortable and awkward. I'm not sure if the actors are too uptight when performing such scenes or if director David Yates simply has no idea how to direct romance. Perhaps it's a combination of the two, but each scene left me confused and disappointed.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of writers thinking that a guy pointing out to his love interest that she has something on her lip or chin is cute or romantic. Ron does this to Hermione twice. First it's toothpaste, which she laughs off. The second time it's foam on her lip from her Butterbeer. She doesn't laugh that one off. She seems horribly mortified. I would be too, but please, writers, come up with something new for us!
And I could rant for hours about Harry and Ginny, but I'll try to condense it for you. (Reply to me on Twitter if you want to rant with me.) You can obviously tell that Ginny likes Harry, but I was unconvinced of Harry's attraction. Those of you who have read the book know that Harry fights an ongoing inner battle about liking his best friend's sister. It's barely alluded to in the film. At one point, Ginny ties Harry's shoe for him as a flirtatious measure. Huh? How is that romantic? Then the screenwriters decided that instead of the emotionally charged moment when Harry kisses Ginny in front of everyone in the Gryffindor common room, they would have Ginny steal the kiss from Harry when they're hidden away in the Room of Requirement. Perhaps I'm too much of a stickler, but that really irked me. It's important for boys to see Harry taking the lead at that point in the book. Instead, we have Harry and Ron, two oblivious boys, standing around waiting for their princesses in shining armor to sweep them off their feet. In the midst of creating a generation of strong, independent young women, let's not forget to create some strong, independent young men as well.
Finally, and perhaps even more importantly, staunch Harry Potter fans are going to be disappointed in the lackluster ending, the brief and seemingly tacked-on scenes with beloved characters like Lupin and the other Weasleys, the weakly identified Half-Blood Prince, the strangely emotionless loss of a beloved Headmaster, and the exclusion of said Headmaster's funeral, which was one of the most moving parts of the entire book series.
That said, if you are a Harry Potter fan, I think you should still see the film. There are parts that are definitely worth seeing. Do they redeem all the flaws? No, but I'm sure most fans will be more forgiving than I. It's certainly a movie that parents and kids can enjoy together, and for that it deserves 4 stars. As for appropriate age groups, parents should be aware that the film really should have been rated PG-13. Elementary school age children may be able to handle the film if they've read the books, but I suggest middle school age and above.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
It's a pretty scary film from beginning to end. Although some light-hearted parts filter in and out, the overall tone is very dark and disturbing. Be prepared for more horror-like effects this time around.
Some specifics: Malfoy kicks Harry in the face, Harry accidentally tortures Malfoy, there are nightmarish zombie-like creatures that try to drown Harry, and there is a lot of blood, as well as some teenage drinking and kissing that ranges from making out in dark corners to simple pecks on the lips. There is a mention of dragon balls, Ron asks if Harry and Ginny "did it," but the phrase obviously isn't meant the way the audience takes it. Ron goes into convulsions and foams at the mouth after drinking poison, we see a dead bird and a dead spider, Harry's reaction to drinking a lucky serum is almost as if he's high, Professor Slughorn and Hagrid get drunk, Dumbledore cuts his hand to extract blood, student Katie Bell is cursed in a most disturbing way, and Dumbledore is murdered, falling from a castle tower to the ground below.
OVERALL
It's a must-see for fans, but be prepared for disappointment.
Movie Megan
About the author:
Megan has been involved in countless plays and musicals in her lifetime. Her experience both in the spotlight and backstage, as well as playwriting and film-making, has seasoned her into a well-rounded film critic. She enjoys the excitement of finding the diamonds in the rough for you and your family, even if it means sitting through hours of tasteless or boring films. Email Movie Megan
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