Category: (DVD)
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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
The weakest installment in the series, but one that powerfully
promises great things to come.Reviewed by Chad Varnadore, 2010-03-05
This franchise is one of the few that can safely refute the old
adage that sequels are never as good as the original. Indeed, it's
something of an amazement how the Potter franchise has managed to
maintain such quality of filmmaking after so many sequels. I think
that's why interest is still so high for these films after so many
years and probably why the final book is being split into 2 films,
to milk it for all they can - not to imply the story isn't worth
it; I'm glad their are two more films to look forward to rather
than just one. But, as with most of the other larger book
translations (eg. Goblet of Fire) there was a lot of interesting
moments cut from the film rendition that we can only hope may
someday be restored in the eventual ultimate BD editions ala the
first two films (assuming they were actually shot).
As is, the sixth film in the Potter franchise plays more like a
filler to build anticipation for the final installments, than a
self-contained story with a unique and notable purpose of its own.
The series has become progressively darker and more mature with
each installment and this is no exception. Gone is much of the
innocense and naive wonder that built this esoteric cobblestone
world. But for those of us so enthralled, seeing it visually
imagined as capably, dare I say, brilliantly, can be reward enough
(assuming the final chapters make up for the story that this one
lacks) even if there is little payoff in the end.
As for the BD, I think Warner's authoring has gradually improved
over the past couple of years. The days of their masters being
biased for the limitations of the DVD format seems to be drifting
further and further behind - at least for new release titles. Most
of their catalog HD offerings still tend to be a little lacking in
detail - often more than a little. But with films that have been
recently mastered like this one, there's little reason to complain,
based on 1080p/24 projection onto a 100" screen (smaller displays
will no doubt be more foregiving, just as larger projected images
could magnify problems I didn't notice or at least didn't find too
cumbersome).
Great Product...Reviewed by Pasta Lover, 2010-03-04
This item came exactly as described and shipped super fast. I'd recommend this seller and would do business with them again.
Perfect DVDReviewed by grinning daisies, 2010-03-03
This is a great Movie! Some changes from the book but all in all a
winner if you love Harry! The characters are becoming more mature
with the seriousness of the threat of the deatheaters.
My 'used' DVD arrived looking just like one off the shelf!
Hooked on HarryReviewed by Doug, 2010-02-28
No Harry Potter fan will miss seeing it. We'll all buy it no matter
what any review says. I've read all the books and bought all the
movies. This movie might be better for those who haven't. Director
Yates has obviously got a broken wand. I'm not sure why he felt it
necessary to not only rewrite the book's story line but to reinvent
the environment. Hogwarts, the Weasley house and their surroundings
have no continuity to previous films. Why? Like most fans I looked
forward to this movie. I held off until I could get the special
edition which I preordered. I was so disappointed after watching
the first hour or so that it took me over two months to finally
watch the whole movie. At least our expectations have been lowered
to the point that the next movie may seem better. It may not be a
bad movie in itself but when you love the book and the movie title
is "Moby Dick" you don't expect to get "Free Willie".
We'll all buy the next two Yates interpretations which will make
his sales statistics look great. Who knows. Maybe magic will happen
and he'll get a new wand. Since he butchered many of the lead ins
to the last book my hopes are low. But who knows, he didn't do such
a bad job on Order of the Phoenix.
Amazon did a good jobReviewed by Robert E. Beasley Jr., 2010-02-28
I originally bought a new one for the release date in December, when it came it would not play. Amazon refunded the money and sent me another. It played, and the whole process was quick and easy. So Amazon needs to get into selling things on their own, some of the comapnies they sell for do not do as good a job or are impossible to get a refund from.
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