Originally set to be released last November, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is perhaps the most anticipated Potter film to date, and with good reason. The leads, all mature and grown-up, are building on their previous work, bringing their characters to life like never before. The story, much darker and complex, fits the aging audience who fell in love with the series some fifteen years ago. And unlike other series, the actors have remained the same throughout the first six films; a feat that rarely happens when it comes to Hollywood. So one would think that this film would be a knock-out in terms of story and characters; however, unlike its predecessors, I left the theater mildly disappointed at the lack of action, intensity and congruent story-telling.
For starters, let me say that in terms of Harry Potter, there are two sides of the line: the die hards that are going to enjoy the film no matter how pathetic it is, and the supporters who go in with an open mind and hope to come out entertained. I wholeheartedly belong to the second group.
With that said, I do believe that regardless of where you stand on the line, you will admit that Half-Blood Prince lacks the intensity and vulnerability of the previous Potter films. There is no battle, no large shoot-out. Harry Potter never seems to be in danger as the Death-Eaters patiently await their master, leaving Potter for him to divulge. And when the time comes to depict the death of a lead character, no build-up makes the scene anti-climatic and in no terms true to the book in which it is based. It is a huge event; yet it happens within minutes, marking a true disappointment for those who longed for a respectable farewell. We rarely get to see characters like Professor Minerva McGonagall, or the Weasleys, making for some noticeable absences in terms of character involvement. Teaching is a thing of the past as only one classroom scene is shown; the rest revolving around their otherwise down-time at Hogwarts.
However, more than the lack or respect or change of setting, I found myself frustrated with the spotty storytelling by director David Yates. Left out of the opening are the O.W.L. grades, a major focus of film five; yet not ten minutes in, the grades are being discussed as their results prevent Potter from seeking his 'dream' position. The same instance happens several more times as character disappear with no explanation and relationships bud and die without any on-screen indication of why. To the average movie-goer, it probably won't be that big of a deal, but to me, it served as a distraction from both the story and its developing characters.
Nonetheless, even with all these missteps, the film wasn't necessarily bad. Helena Bonham Carter gives a brilliant supporting performance as Bellatrix Lestrange, and our three leads are starting to build the chemistry that we have longed for over the years. The darker colors create a bitter tone to the story, allowing the audience to see and feel the presence of Voldemort. All these things come together to form a ridiculously long film that seems to reveal little in terms of content. Regardless, it is fun and it is entertaining to watch; easily the main point for all films. I just wish that more thought had gone into making this an ample stand-alone film rather than a lead-in to the powerful finale that is the Deathly Hallows. While the book was able to pull it off, the film just doesn't get off quite so clean.
