Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman; Director: David Yates; Producers: David Barron, David Heyman; Screenwriters: Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling; Music: Nicholas Hooper; Editor: Mark Day; Genre: Fantasy Adventure; Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnnel; Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures; Location: Bjorli, Norway; Running Time: 153 min.;
Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
The movie opens with the Death Eaters attacking London while Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) takes Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) to befriend and unlock the memory of former Hogworts potions professor, Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) who once taught Tom Riddle—the young Lord Voldemort. Meanwhile, Harry’s nemesis Draco Malfoy and Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) have joined the Death Eaters. All the while, Harry is picking up magical tips from a mysterious character known as the Half-Blood Prince—a previous owner of the used Potions textbook Harry is now using. However, Harry and friends face a bigger challenge than the return of Lord Voldemort—raging adolescent hormones and teenage romance. Harry falls in love with Ginny Weasley (Bonni Wright) who unfortunately is already dating someone else and Hermoine (Emma Watson) is seething with jealousy when Lavander Brown decided Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is the one for her.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE looks like a conduit to the climax to the whole Harry Potter series so in reality the movie does not really reach a climax. The battle scenes and love stories at times struggle for dominance and the movie could have benefited if the director made a clear choice are fantastic and breathtaking. This combined with great performances from the actors who have matured before the world makes the movie memorable and worthwhile.
While the violence, witchcraft and darkness are more subtle, parents are strongly advised to accompany their very young children when watching. Although the movie has several efforts to moralize—for instance, the code of honors of good witches, as well as values taught to Hogwart students—these values are only applied to up to a certain problem faced by the characters. Case in point, honesty is emphasized but in certain occasions stealing is tolerated.
The most powerful theme in the story is “fitting in”. Most characters crave for a sense of being part of a group and being accepted as himself. Take the Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy who joined Voldermort because of their innate desire to be accepted. Even Harry, who lost his parents and was raised by an unloving family, found confidence and strength in his friends at Gryffindor. The real magic of Harry Pottter lies not in the supernatural power or spells or potions but in finding a home for the heart where friendships and love are able to grow.
