The Movie Cube: "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" Review

Excitement and expectations were high as die-hard (and some appropriately dressed) Harry Potter fans roamed the packed cinema corridors this morning.

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simpering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. (© 2009 Warner Bros)

Finally, a proper blockbuster movie which manages to entertain and delight while delivering a ripping tale that leaves the audience literally cheering for more. The sheer intensity, charm and entertaining moments pulled me further into the 'Harry Potter' world. This latest installment to the franchise gave us a lot of what we saw in "The Prisoner of Azkaban"; a fresh twist with a small taste of independent film making. The movie doesn't give us as many actions sequences that most would expect out of a summer blockbuster, but the ones that are seen are wonderfully crafted and teased me into wanting more.

Love and hormones are raging at Hogwarts and relationships are brewing. Moments like these give the film an enlightening charm. Some moments causing roars or laughter in the audience that I haven't heard in a while. Contrasting are the dark, confronting and sometimes scary scenes depicting the 'Death Eaters'. It's long two and a half hour running time is barely noticable due to it's great screenplay that kept me up to date the whole way.

It's all fantastic, exept the film holds a weak narritive in some places of the film. This is of couse in the sense that there is little climatic tension towards the war between the aurors and dark wizards that is imminent. Some people may leave the cinema feeling that it was very inconclusive and may be awfully suprised when they watch the final chapter. As I still haven't read the book, I feel as if you have to maintain an extended knowledge of the series to fully enjoy the movies, but I found that it seems that the film makers have put important details in small, inconspicious places so I recommend conecntrating and taking every detail in.

This movie is the gem on the crown of the franchise; it's proven to be the best yet. It took me on a great ride but suffers from a very mild weak narrative in some areas.