Another sequel? Yes, another sequel, but it’s a pleasure to report that the response is more of an oh-boy than a ho-hum.
The legendary English schoolboy returns in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", which opens today. The plot has advanced, and the actors are a little older, but most have not lost any of their ability. The result is, to me, a generally interesting movie, with some outstanding cinematography and special effects, but the plot seems to just be moving everyone only a step or two forward to prepare for the next ticket-buying opportunity.
Daniel Radcliffe is properly earnest in the title role, and he has reached the point where he seems to be looking with slightly more amorous thoughts at those who represent the other gender. It’s noticeable in the way he views cute Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), the sister of that well-known red-haired simpleton, Ron (Rupert Grint). The lovely Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) shows some twinges of jealousy when Ron is chased (though he remains chaste) by an eager quidditch groupie, Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave). Grint is a delight as his role overshadows that of Radcliffe in many respects, and Evanna Lynch, as Luna Lovegood, adds to some of the ingenuously ingenious, but always light-hearted, sexual banter cooked up by writer Steve Kloves and director David Yates.
As always, the special effects are terrific, and the quidditch game is a highlight, with Ron a flying star, making brilliant saves from impossible angles. Goalies in all other sports will be envious.
The veterans also have their time in the spotlight, led by the incomparable Alan Rickman, the screen’s greatest villain, as Severus Snape, enlisted to help an apprentice villain, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Other returnees are a pleasure to watch even as they overact almost – but not quite – to the point of caricature. This group includes Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore, Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall and Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange.
The largest problem with this episode, the sixth in the series from the J. K. Rowling fantasy novels, is that nothing much happens in terms of what we know we are building tension toward – the final shootout at the O. K. Corral between Harry and Lord Voldemort. It’s like the intermission after the third set of a Wimbledon final, setting up the final two sets, or two movies, which are planned to complete the saga.
There’s a little scary stuff in terms of young children, but any who have read the book (or had it read to them) will expect it and pass it off as the special-effects part of movies. The network news has more frightening moments.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. At multiple locations.
-Joe
Comments
One response
It was a good movie, but had alot of important info missing in order to under stand the next movies.
The ending was most disappointing. Even my husband who doesn’t read the books, new a fight sequence was missing. He said it was all leading up to a fight that never happened. And that is so true.
There was also thing change that didn’t really make any sense to change them. Hopefully this guy will do better with the next two movies. I’m not quit sure how you can mess up such a sure thing, but he did.