An awkward glance, building up the courage to break the ice and secure a date . . . And so begins The Half Blood Prince, Harry Potters sixth year at Hogwarts. Where spells, curses and jinxes aren’t the only things flying around - you have to watch out for teenage emotions too.
This year Harry must secure a memory from the newly recruited potions master Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), armed with a potions book once owned by the mysterious half blood prince. With Dumbledore at his side, Harry learns the dark past of Tom Riddle: the boy who would be Voldemort.
But gone has the magical glow and charm of Hogwarts past; in its place thanks to cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel is a gloomy, colour-drained world where Death Eaters run amok. It’s not all doom and gloom however; love is in the air at Hogwarts.
In fact much of the films humour comes from these bumbling awkward scenes. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson spend most of the film oblivious to the others true feelings. Meanwhile Harry spends as much time grappling his feelings for Ron’s sister as he does in securing the important Slughorn memory.
Screenwriter Steve Kloves brings J K’s novel to the screen, which is no easy task. A few inevitable differences aside the overall feel remains the same, albeit with one unnecessary attack on the Weasley household.
Horcruxes? A half blood prince? there is a lot to take in here, and it may prove too much for those not so familiar with the novel.
That aside its great to see some series regulars get something to sink their teeth into. Michael Gambon gives his most accurate Dumbledore yet whilst Alan Rickman steals scenes, as the not to be trusted Severus Snape.
Tom Felton shows he’s more than a snooty face as he feels the pressure of Voldemort breathing down his neck and with the help of a luck potion Daniel Radcliffe is actually pretty funny. All in all, it sets things up nicely for the two-part Deathly Hallows finale, sure to be pretty epic.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment