The Half Blood Post

Harry Potter is an acquired taste and many people write it off as a franchise altogether. Those who tough it out all agree that it is a charming and wonderful series of books. Among the book’s fan base however there is a large rift of people that do and don’t like the movies. In the films’ defense there is an awful lot packed into those books and the vivid wizarding world is not one that can be summarized with ease. Many directors have tried their hand at a film (or two) and some have been hits for me…and others big misses. The hardest part is sitting through a movie you have high expectations for and a very vivid understanding of what should happen before the curtain falls. If the director puts his own spin on the film, or a particular scene is shifted, shortened or even cut, then it really rubs you the wrong way. Goblet of Fire is my favorite of the books, with the dragons, the Quiddich Cup, Mad Eye Moody, Uncle Sirius… so much great material. Unfortunately the movie fell so short of my expectations that it actually soured me to the series as a whole.

Half Blood Prince is my second favorite of the Rowling’s books, and I can happily say that David Yates does not disappoint in his second Potter directorial role.

All the drama, magic and character entanglements that riddle (!) the latter chapters in the Potter saga are fully realized in ‘Prince, and nothing feels compacted like it has in the previous few entries. At close to 3 hours this movie definitely has a lot in it, but it is presented at a perfect pace and never feels rushed. I will say that while everyone else seems to be growing with their characters, Emma Watson is struggling. Her overacting is really noticeable this time around compared to her more natural classmates, which is unfortunate. That and the fact that Fenrir Greyback’s wolf-hair looks more like a full body, lunch lady hair net…are the only real complaints I have with the movie.

The effects are substantially more action-packed this time around and everything from wand-work to Quiddich matches are much more gritty and effective. There is a certain level of cheese layered on, especially towards the end with the various climaxes and love interests, but the movie keeps a hold and doesn’t let anything get too carried away. It really is a pitch-perfect port of seemingly unmanageable content. I am both impressed and enthralled by this entry to the collection. With the exception of the first movie (that will always have the upper hand with it being the initial magical introduction to Potter’s universe,) Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the best of the Harry Potter films to date.