Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language
and mild sensuality.
Running Time: 2 hours 33 minutes
Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle housing Hogwarts. But Dumbledore seems more focused on preparing Harry for the final battle he knows is approaching. Dumbledore works with Harry, helping him to uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort’s defenses, critical information known only to Hogwarts’ former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague into returning to his previous post with promises of more money, a bigger office, and an opportunity to teach the famous Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, the students of Hogwarts are under attack from a different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the castle. Harry’s long friendship with Ginny Weasley is going into something deeper. But, standing in the way is Ginny’s boyfriend, Dean Thomas, along with her big brother Ron. But, Ron has his own romantic entanglements to worry about. Lavender Brown is lavishing her affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with jealousy, but also determined not to show her feelings.
How Did This Get A PG Rating!?
Warner Bros. Pictures presents the Heyday Films production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is the sixth installment of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Harry Potter franchise based on the J.K. Rowling books. Once again, heading the cast, Daniel Radcliffe. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson also reprise their roles from the previous flicks.
Before I go any further, I have just one question…
How did this flick get a PG Rating!?
The past two movies, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from 2005 and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix from 2007 almost landed into the R rated category. Personally, that’s exactly where they should have been too. For once the MPAA was about to get something right. They recognized that the previous two Potter flicks were simply too dark and too over the top for a PG or a PG-13 audience. But, the filmmakers rallied the MPAA board and managed PG-13 ratings.
Now with the release of the sixth installment in this franchise, Harry Potter is back with a PG rating. Who are they kidding? This is far from a PG movie. If anything Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince should have at least a PG-13 rating. While this edition of the Harry Potter franchise doesn’t really push the edge to an R rating, it should at least be PG-13. But, even after saying that, this is not a family-friendly movie.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is NOT a kids movie!
An Auto-Pilot Comedy?
As I wrote earlier in my mini-review, even though Daniel Radcliffe says he is not bored with the role he’s played since the age of 10, the now 19 year old looks like he’s bored. At 19 he should not look like he’s cruising through the movie on auto-pilot. But, that’s exactly what it looks like. He mumbles his way through his lines, and at times looks like he’s on the verge of falling asleep. At some points in the movie I almost fell asleep as a direct result of his lack-luster performance.
Such is also the case with many of the other actors.
The kids look bored and tired. The adults do not fair much better. Michael Gambon who reprises his role as Professor Dumbledore looks like he’s been awaken from a drunken slumber as many of his lines are slurred. Then there’s the addition of Jim Broadbent’s character, Professor Horace Slughorn. This character is the new Potions Professor at Hogwarts. He also holds the key to the identity of Voldemort. But, this bumbling Professor comes off like the half-witted Grandpa made famous by Al Lewis on The Munsters TV show. Add some fangs and a pointy parted haircut, and you would find yourself looking for an appearance of Herman Munster!
The only bright spot in The Half-Blood Prince is Alan Rickman. His mono-toned Professor Severus Snape works! His eyes are wide and his walk is brisk. But, aside from Rickman, it looks like everyone else pretty much phoned in their parts.
Bowing To Pressure?
As for genre, the filmmakers apparently caved to earlier criticism that the Harry Potter films were too dark. But, lets remember, the books were never intended for kids. Many people refer to them as kid books, but these are not kids books. As a result, the earlier movies were obviously not kids movies. But, the filmmakers tried to jump on the hype and attract a kids audience. However, along the line, we ended up with thriller movies suited better for an R rating instead of a kid-friendly rating.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince…
Is a movie searching for an identity.
As the genre has been totally reworked, we end up with an almost cartoon brilliance of colors at times. Then, toss in the poor attempts at comedy as we see kids growing up, and the movie is laughable. Not because the jokes are funny, but because this sixth Harry Potter movie really looks like a fish out of water. The Half-Blood Prince could almost be referred to as the evil good twin brother of the evil bad twin brother of Harry Potter.
A Movie of Fluff and Stuff
All in all, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is really a movie full of fluff and stuff. While the storyline does hold true, there are simply too many characters to keep track of. You really need a program to know who’s who. Not to mention, if you parachute into the middle of this film franchise, you will be totally lost! If you’re not familiar with the books, and have not seen the earlier movies, you will have no idea what’s going on.
Once again this latest Potter presentation clocks in at 2 and a half hours. There is simply no reason for this. Especially when it comes to this one. The fluff and stuff adds nothing to the movie, except length. It’s almost disjointed, but just when you’re wondering what in the world a love potion has to do with anything, the filmmakers suddenly make some connection. It’s like they’re trying to fill the flick with fluff, but from time to time say – “Oh yeah, this is a Harry Potter movie!”
There are so many useless pieces of information and scenes sprinkled through the Half-Blood Prince that at times you feel like you’re watching two, or more, totally different movies. For instance – Did we really need a funeral for a large spider? This scene, while it may have value in the book, adds absolutely nothing to the movie.
For the most part, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a very disappointing movie.
From a filmmaking standpoint, it does not live up to the previous caliber of movies. While I’m sure Potter fans will flock to the theater to see the movie, it might die a quick death, just like one of the characters in the movie. Yes someone dies. I won’t tell you who, but it’s amazing to notice that the filmmakers totally played it down. It’s like they decided to make it an after-thought! I couldn’t believe my eyes. One of the main characters dies, and it’s treated like a non-incident.
Most of the time with these movies the audience is left wanting more. There is the obvious cue for the next Potter movie – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One – but many will hope November 2010 comes quickly.
Instead of leaving people saying “I can hardly wait for the next one!”
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince leaves you saying…
“Is that it?”
Cautiously enjoy the show!
Dr. Rus
Dr. Rus has 30+ years experience in the field of communication. He takes this experience, and his passion to encourage others to positively effect their environment, when providing insight and movie reviews. 
Oh come on, we ALL know who freakin’ dies! LOL
I will wait until I see the film before I comment further.
You know, I almost put in the name of the person who dies. But then I thought about people who might parachute into this movie knowing nothing about it. So, I decided not to name him. LOL!
I usually agree with your reviews, but this time I couldn’t disagree more. I found the film the second best after “Prisoner of Askeban,” and the acting by the kids getting better with each new movie.
I believe the movie closely follows the book with regards to the death of the main character, and I think there was plenty of foreshadowing for his demise from the beginning of the film.
I also appreciated the humor of the film and how we see the angst of young love portrayed on the screen. And while I agree that Rickman does an excellent job, I also felt the same way about Gambon and Broadbent.
I do not think we saw the same film : ) I give it 8 out of 10 dancing fish myself. And for my 16 year old daughter, this was her favorite of the series so far.
LOL! Thanks for your comment here! I appreciate it. Isn’t it amazing how people can see different things in the same movie. I actually said the same thing to someone else who liked the movie. I asked if we saw the same one. LOL! It’s been interesting to now read other reviews of the flick too. Some are saying what I’m saying, while others are saying what you’re saying.
Thanks again for stopping by and thanks for your continued support of Frame by Frame. I appreciate it!
Dr. Rus