Well, it has finally arrived: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the long awaited film adaptation of JK Rowling’s beloved novel. Of course Greg and I had a front row seat this weekend (not even severe morning sickness could keep me away). My grade: an A-. Why an A-? Because, though it was a strong movie as a whole, much was lacking from book, including the magic of the Harry/Ginny relationship.
I expect that these movies will differ from the novels. How else can you bring a 700+ page book to the large screen, for a two and a half hour movie? Plots will be changed. It happens. However, the extent that the Harry/Ginny relationship suffered wasn’t expected. After all, a large portion of The Half Blood Prince was spent exploring Harry’s feelings for Ginny … she’s the girl he can’t get out of his head, the one he can’t take his eyes off of. Ginny is smart, brave, and funny with this sparkling personality. In my opinion, the character’s personality came off rather flat in the film adaptation and I was slightly disappointed.
Another disappointment for me was, again, Michael Gambon’s portrayal of Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore is a strong wizard, yes, but he is also a kind hearted man with a gentle spirit. Sir Richard Harris embodied this Dumbledore to perfection. Unfortunately, Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore is much more abrasive. It is evident, at least to me, that Michael Gambon hasn’t read the novels (he’s admitted as much in a few interviews that I’ve read). Unfortunately, I still miss the sweet side of Dumbledore.
The rest of the cast, as always, is superb! Alan Rickman, always awesome, added so much depth to Snape in this movie. Watch his eyes during the final scenes … they are filled with unspoken grief and remorse. It is truly heartbreaking! Maggie Smith is another brilliant performer and she too brought me to tears at the end. I think the Actors as a whole, especially Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, so embody these characters that they make me yearn even more for the Dumbledore from the novels. Daniel Ratcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermoine), Rupert Grint (Ron), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), Tom Felton (Draco), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Evanna Lynch (Luna) … they all bring the characters we love to life and do justice to JK Rowling’s skillfully crafted characters. Bravo to Jim Broadbent for his wonderful portrayal of Professor Slughorn, as well.
I enjoyed The Half Blood Prince and thought it was a really good film adaptation of a wonderful novel. It sets up The Deathly Hallows beautifully. And I think the next time I see it, I’ll like it even more (now that I know what not to expect).
You know my grade. What’s yours?
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11:13 am
Congrats on the morning sickness! It’s a good thing, truly. :0) Easy for me to say.
I didn’t like the ending. Where was Dumbledore’s weakness? It wasn’t clear that Dumbledore was sacrificing himself for Harry, at least not that I could see.
7:32 am
I agree that Dumbledore’s physicial weakness was a major part of his death in the book.
Also lacking in the movie was the failure to have Harry frozen under his invisibility cloak during the tower scene. Instead, the movie showed Harry chosing to stand still and do nothing. Yes, he was following Dumbledore’s orders but still … this plot change made Harry seem weak as opposed to the book where he wanted to break free and fight but was rendered helpless to do so.
You’re right! It was clear in the novel that Dumbledore did sacrifice himself for Harry. I wonder if those who saw the movie without first reading the novel came to the same conclusion?
10:40 am
I have to say I was enthralled with the scenery in this film. I know it is always breathtaking, but for some reason this film stands out for me. The tower and the view from it were spectacular!
Now, I went with Eric who hasn’t read the books and HE was disappointed in the fact that basically Dumbledore died for nothing. As he said “he didn’t die for the greater good, he didn’t die in battle, so it was a waste.” HE felt that the attraction between Ginny and Harry was quite evident and I must say I agree. It may not have been a MAJOR part of the movie, but I thought it was sweet.
Please forgive my memory lapses, but did Ron (at least it seemed to me in the movie) play that small of a role in the book? and Malfoy?? I LOVE that character, but was he as neglected in the book as he was in the movie? Just skulking around the castle I mean? (His scene (his acting) with Dumbledore I thought was fab BTW!)
MIL and I were discussing this–was there MUSIC in this film? The score in this movie doesn’t stand out for me at all, and I DO remember dramatic music in the other films.
Alan Rickman was fantastic as usual. He never disappoints me!! I would never tire of that character–at least not with him in the role!!!!
Maggie Smith was not around enough IMO. I know she wasn’t written much in the later books, but it is still a disappointment. No fight scene with the DA…So many things I missed in this film.
Standing alone without the book I think would have been better for me because there are so many things I would have had to add to make the film what I expected and anticipated. I would probably say B- because of all that was not included in the film.
9:00 am
Hi, Leanne!
Maggie Smith is never in these movies enough, is she?
I agree with you about the scenery. I also thought the bridge collapse scene was cool (great way of incorporating the first chapters without going into Prime Minister/Minister of Magic conversation).
There was definitely a score, though I couldn’t tell you how it differs from the other movies off hand.
I’m currently listening to HALF BLOOD PRINCE on CD (again), in my car, and so far Ron is in it a lot. I think with time constraints, his screen time suffered.
Malfoy … I wanted more of him!
It is funny, but only after watching the film did I realize that neither Voldemort nor Lucius Malfoy makes an appearance, yet both characters were so prevalent.