- HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (DVD MOVIE)
AS HARRY POTTER BEGINS HIS 6TH YEAR AT HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, HE DISCOVERS AN OLD BOOK MARKED MYSTERIOUSLY ‘THIS BOOK IS THE PROPERTY OF THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE’ AND BEGINS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LORD VOLDEMORT’S DARK PAST.The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that “He Who Must Not Be Named” has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is “the Chosen One”–the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of magic from the first few books—it’s dark, dangerous, and scary.
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. It’s in these intriguing scenes that the dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the previous movies’ many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to uncover a memory about Voldemort’s darkest weapon–the Horcrux. Despite the long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date.
More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. –Jordan Thompson
Buy “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince “ For Only $7.50
January 3, 2006
#1
I am very excited to watch this movie. Because it is very fun to watch on tv. I would like to buy this movie without Blu-ray. I just want one disc of the dvd with full screen edition on it also.
January 3, 2006
#2
Come on WB, you can release this in a format other than blu-ray!
There are loads of reasons why this should be done: one of them being that not many people want to buy yet another piece of equipment to watch a video. How many people watch Hi-def TV anyway?
For those of you not in the know, this will probably be released in the UK in regular DVD format. There are also things called region free DVD players that open up a world of movie watching. You can pick up a fantastic, inexpensive, up-converting region-free DVD player for far less than a blu-ray player.
I have a Sharp Aquos 37″ 1080p LCD-TV and the upconverting player is just as good, if not better than a blu-ray player.
Although, I wonder if this is a ploy to get people to buy a blu-ray player. After all, it is hard to say to your children that we can’t watch the new Harry Potter because we aren’t going to pay a couple of hundred bucks for a blu-ray player.
Or, just go and see it at the movies.
That will cost far less than buying a new blu-ray player to watch this.
January 3, 2006
#3
This is one of my favorite Harry Potter books. I have seen the previews and I am anticipating a great movie in relation to the book. So many of the characters that have been in the back ground are finally going to get their chance to star even if they are being the villain. I know I will be at the theater on July 15th to be one of the first ones to see this movie.
I hope it does the book justice and keeps most of the things in the book. Otherwise I feel true Harry Potter fans will be very disappointed.
Well I now have to say that I was disappointed in the movie. I didn’t see as much action as I would have like too. I don’t feel this movie was the best HP to date.
January 3, 2006
#4
I am, like many who look forward to another chapter in the Harry Potter adventures. I believe we all hope to see an accurate presentation of what we enjoyed so much in the book. Understanding we can’t have a 6 hour movie, there will be some “cutting” involved. The author has done a superb job of character developement and created a very detailed world, and then, tells a story that enthralls me.
She has done so in each book. No director, or writer should alter this ladies passionate excellence. Let the story be the story and tell it true to the book. I saw the books come alive in the J.R.R Tolkin series in a well presented true to the books film series that thrilled millions. Keep your fingers crossed. I already have my DVD ordered, and expect to be at the Movies 12/17!
January 4, 2006
#5
Let’s face it. The Order of the Phoenix movie left out a ton of good stuff. I just hope they do a lot better with this one. It is my favorite book of the series and would hate to see it messed up on the big screen, especially the ending. Judging from the teaser trailer and pictures that have been released, it looks like a great movie. I’ll be counting down the days until July 17.