What movie did YOU just FINISH watching?
Aug 15, 2019 14:17:28 GMT
mszanadu, teleadm, and 3 more like this
Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Aug 15, 2019 14:17:28 GMT
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).
Magic has returned to the world of Harry Potter!...
After being disappointed by Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince was a nice surprise. Goblet of Fire remains my favourite, but this one’s not far behind. The absence of Dursleys was a good start, and although the film begins in the ‘real world’, it’s a more exciting scene than the last film’s opening, as Death Eaters (including a wolfman dude) wreak havoc, leaving Muggles thinking “WTF?”...including a waitress who gets chatted up (and then stood up) by self-confessed "tosser", Harry Potter, who's whisked away by Dumbledore to the world of magic and we’re introduced to part-time armchair, Professor Slughorn. Jim Broadbent’s character is a welcome addition, as Slughorn likes to ‘collect’ special students and the prospect of acquiring ‘the Chosen One’ is too good to pass up. Meanwhile, the still wickedly fun Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy’s mother, Narcissa, have a special mission for Draco (and ensure Snape keeps him safe/makes sure he follows through via a magical 'Unbreakable Vow' handshake).
Harry’s soon reunited with his friends and it quickly becomes clear that films are not only ramping up Ron’s/Hermione’s feelings for each other, but also the heretofore barely-touched-upon Harry/Ginny relationship. Luna Lovegood, who was the fifth film’s bright spot, makes a welcome return when saving Harry from Draco’s foot-to-the-face (this film feels a bit more ‘brutal’ than prior ones, with a fair amount of blood) thanks to snazzy glasses called ‘Spectrespecs’ and Harry’s head apparently being full of something called ‘wrackspurts’ (her particular brand of ‘kookiness’ and dynamic with Harry lights up every scene).
Another scene-stealing new addition is Lavender Brown, who becomes obsessed with Ron, starts a relationship with him (much to the annoyance of Hermione, who you *don’t* want to get on the bad side of...lest she magically sic a flock of birds on you), but verges into ‘stalker’ territory. Jessie Cave is hilarious in every scene. Also funny is Hermione’s (unwanted) admirer, Cormac McLaggen. The amusement derived from his rivalry with Ron is only surpassed by Hermione’s reactions to his advances/leering looks and her efforts to ditch him after taking him as a ‘date’ to Slughorn’s party. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are in fine form playing both their characters’ humourous sides and their more serious/dramatic sides. Their chemistry with each other and Daniel Radcliffe is the glue that holds this whole film series together.
Speaking of, I’m surprised to learn Daniel Radcliffe apparently disliked his performance here, as I thought he was very good (and certainly more likeable than in the previous film). He proves to have nice comedic skills (especially in a scene with Hagrid, Slughorn and a dearly department friend of Hagrid), and this film’s humour was sorely needed after the last film’s lack of/failed attempts at ‘good’ humour. Harry also goes through some quite dramatic stuff too. His relationship with Dumbledore gets some major focus, proving crucial to the film’s plot. There are some really dark/shocking moments towards the end of the film. We also get flashbacks to pre-Voldemort Tom Riddle, and the two young actors playing him at different ages do a good job of portraying this creepy soon-to-go-bad-wizard-in-the-making.
Finally getting some overdue focus/screentime is Draco. Or rather, it *seems* like he’s getting a lot more focus...but, mostly, it’s just him being his usual ‘foul evil loathsome little cockroach’ self (and if I had to watch him pull the cover off that damn Vanishing Cabinet ONE MORE TIME...!). Ginny gets more screentime as well, though it doesn’t amount to very much other than snogging, shoelace-tying (yes, really) and running into danger after Harry (though the attack on the Weasley’s Burrow is pretty awesome). Also getting focus, but with a bit more substance, is Snape as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (because THAT bodes well). He does something pretty dramatic near the end and Harry’s confrontation with him is a memorable one.
Although the movie is quite lengthy, it never really felt like it ‘dragged’. There was plenty of action and magic on display, but when things slowed down I still felt invested in what was happening. The film is quite gloomily-lit in places, but it doesn’t forget to have a sense of ‘fun’ (wackiness with love potions, 'Liquid Luck', and cursed objects just being a few examples). For me, this movie was everything the fifth one wasn’t, and that’s why it joins the 4th and 3rd films as one of my favourites of the series. Book readers might have issues with things left out/changed, but I found the movie entertaining/riveting, and a fine lead-in to the two part finale.
After being disappointed by Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince was a nice surprise. Goblet of Fire remains my favourite, but this one’s not far behind. The absence of Dursleys was a good start, and although the film begins in the ‘real world’, it’s a more exciting scene than the last film’s opening, as Death Eaters (including a wolfman dude) wreak havoc, leaving Muggles thinking “WTF?”...including a waitress who gets chatted up (and then stood up) by self-confessed "tosser", Harry Potter, who's whisked away by Dumbledore to the world of magic and we’re introduced to part-time armchair, Professor Slughorn. Jim Broadbent’s character is a welcome addition, as Slughorn likes to ‘collect’ special students and the prospect of acquiring ‘the Chosen One’ is too good to pass up. Meanwhile, the still wickedly fun Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy’s mother, Narcissa, have a special mission for Draco (and ensure Snape keeps him safe/makes sure he follows through via a magical 'Unbreakable Vow' handshake).
Harry’s soon reunited with his friends and it quickly becomes clear that films are not only ramping up Ron’s/Hermione’s feelings for each other, but also the heretofore barely-touched-upon Harry/Ginny relationship. Luna Lovegood, who was the fifth film’s bright spot, makes a welcome return when saving Harry from Draco’s foot-to-the-face (this film feels a bit more ‘brutal’ than prior ones, with a fair amount of blood) thanks to snazzy glasses called ‘Spectrespecs’ and Harry’s head apparently being full of something called ‘wrackspurts’ (her particular brand of ‘kookiness’ and dynamic with Harry lights up every scene).
Another scene-stealing new addition is Lavender Brown, who becomes obsessed with Ron, starts a relationship with him (much to the annoyance of Hermione, who you *don’t* want to get on the bad side of...lest she magically sic a flock of birds on you), but verges into ‘stalker’ territory. Jessie Cave is hilarious in every scene. Also funny is Hermione’s (unwanted) admirer, Cormac McLaggen. The amusement derived from his rivalry with Ron is only surpassed by Hermione’s reactions to his advances/leering looks and her efforts to ditch him after taking him as a ‘date’ to Slughorn’s party. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are in fine form playing both their characters’ humourous sides and their more serious/dramatic sides. Their chemistry with each other and Daniel Radcliffe is the glue that holds this whole film series together.
Speaking of, I’m surprised to learn Daniel Radcliffe apparently disliked his performance here, as I thought he was very good (and certainly more likeable than in the previous film). He proves to have nice comedic skills (especially in a scene with Hagrid, Slughorn and a dearly department friend of Hagrid), and this film’s humour was sorely needed after the last film’s lack of/failed attempts at ‘good’ humour. Harry also goes through some quite dramatic stuff too. His relationship with Dumbledore gets some major focus, proving crucial to the film’s plot. There are some really dark/shocking moments towards the end of the film. We also get flashbacks to pre-Voldemort Tom Riddle, and the two young actors playing him at different ages do a good job of portraying this creepy soon-to-go-bad-wizard-in-the-making.
Finally getting some overdue focus/screentime is Draco. Or rather, it *seems* like he’s getting a lot more focus...but, mostly, it’s just him being his usual ‘foul evil loathsome little cockroach’ self (and if I had to watch him pull the cover off that damn Vanishing Cabinet ONE MORE TIME...!). Ginny gets more screentime as well, though it doesn’t amount to very much other than snogging, shoelace-tying (yes, really) and running into danger after Harry (though the attack on the Weasley’s Burrow is pretty awesome). Also getting focus, but with a bit more substance, is Snape as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (because THAT bodes well). He does something pretty dramatic near the end and Harry’s confrontation with him is a memorable one.
Although the movie is quite lengthy, it never really felt like it ‘dragged’. There was plenty of action and magic on display, but when things slowed down I still felt invested in what was happening. The film is quite gloomily-lit in places, but it doesn’t forget to have a sense of ‘fun’ (wackiness with love potions, 'Liquid Luck', and cursed objects just being a few examples). For me, this movie was everything the fifth one wasn’t, and that’s why it joins the 4th and 3rd films as one of my favourites of the series. Book readers might have issues with things left out/changed, but I found the movie entertaining/riveting, and a fine lead-in to the two part finale.