» Review Summary
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince Review
Short Version: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince exceeds at continuing to develop the core three characters as they grow up and finally gives Malfoy a story arc of his own as well as showing us multiple dimensions to his character for the first time. However, huge flaws in logic and major story holes kill much of the enjoyment.
Release: July 15th 2009
Genre: Fantasy
Director: David Yates
Staring: Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson
SCORE: 5/10
» Review
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince Review
Hey there folks. Thanks for checking out our Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince review. Well actually, it’s more like a discussion of the movie. There is no written version… only a video version.
PLEASE NOTE… THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THE MOVIE. IT IS DISCUSSED ASSUMING YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE ALREADY. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK IF YOU HAVE NOT.
The short version is that I wasn’t thrilled with the movie for many reasons:
I’ll see it next week.
Lets see what i feel.
Thanks John 4 d review.
I get it, Harry Potter has outsold the Bible. It’s popular. But popularity shouldn’t be an excuse for bad storytelling. Thank God for reviewers like John who can take off the blinders and judge a story based purely on what is put on screen.
Calling out “Convenience” is spot on because the well placed laundry chute is the central escape for every stinking story. There’s nothing wrong with a good magical plot device, but if you invent it then don’t remember/forget about it one scene later. A time-turner that they used to save the life of an animal but not the lives of several key characters? Various forms of teleportation that they never use when necessary? Monetary based society where people can create objects at will, etc.
And again a pat on the back to John for being the first reviewer to FINALLY call out the stupidity of the kids. These kids are adorable but let’s be real. They’re idiots. This is now the 6th year of school and they don’t know who to trust yet? A major part of growing up is finding the right mentors to teach you.
Okay, well thats my rant and I hope people understand that everyone is entitled to an opinion.
I somewhat agree with your review. It wasn’t the best in the potter franchise and certainly not a great film overall. Visually I thought it was really well done.
I was really distracted by all the kids romance nonsense. I don’t really care about that at all, though it being a young adult book/film i guess it can be expected. Also the end was terrible. They really didn’t give dumbledore’s death enough. A funeral scene could have definately helped with that.
generally i enjoy watching the harry potter films because I like following the kids as they figure things out together as a group. Ron and Hermoine were left out of what was going on. Maybe if they had been trying to work out who the half-blood prince was than it would have been more interesting. Also ron’s father told harry of those boxes used to teleport, that should have been more significant.
The whole pain elixir thing in the cave… i see what your saying. The actual pain that dumbeldore was feeling was not the issue tho, the pain harry was going through was the real test. The ring that dumbledore got in the beginning…we don’t know why he was after it. Did he alreay know it’s a horcrux?
Again the film was a big let down. There are a lot of things that don’t make sense. I feel it was a really long beginning hook for the final two films.
John , again with the 5/10 , this movie is worth a lot more believe me.
Yeah, it’s gotta be a 6/10 at the very least.
How much a person enjoys a film may be subjective, John. But the first time I saw the first Transformers I hated it. The second time I saw it I figured out what it was about. Maybe that’s what you should consider doing with Harry Potter 6.
But John is not Brit, he doenst come from Europe, we in Europe dont bother about those stupid mistakes. The movie should stay in Europe.
this has been a year of 5’s hasent it
AWWWWW SPOILERS!!!!
come on John…
This is the summer of disappointment and will end with the train wreak thats called G. I. Joe. As for Harry Potter, I seen it today and I agree, way too many un important scenes, stupid secnarios, and disapponting story archs. I knew that after a few good ones there be one that was sub par and this is it. Lets hope they saved the best for last with Deathly Hallows.
You are forgetting Inglorious Bastards is going to make up for the shit so far.
i’m surprised u gave this a 5.
u didn’t even talk about the special effects/cgi or the action sequences.
John did mention that there aren’t many CGI/special effects to talk about.
And i feel he was perplexed with the many plot holes in the movie to describe anything else.
no, he said there wasn’t much action/adventure.
He made no mention of the cgi
I know all the Harry Potter spoilers already but havent seen this movie yet. For those of you who have seen it yet (and have read the book), I have to ask: is the omission of the funeral at the end terrible or can the movie live without it? I’ve heard that the ending is very, very awkward:(
Personally, Kristina, I thought the movie ended fine without the funeral. There is a short “ceremony” where all of the students and teachers raise up their wands upon the finding of Dumbledore’s body, which doesn’t pack as much a punch, so to speak, as the funeral, but I was okay with it.
The film can live without the funeral but certain characters are omitted because of it (Aberforth for example).
Instead of a funeral though, they had some wasted and emotionless chat in the aftermath. I was greatly disappointed with that scene.
it’s ok without the funeral, but I would have liked to see the funeral, and the dumbledore spirit/phoenix rising.
I lived without it, and I’m a die-hard Harry Potter fan. I personally (Spoiler!) would have liked to seen Harry dump Ginny.
Its fucking BULLSHIT that the funeral wasnt in it. When the mermaids come out and the creatures form the forest come out and Harry is with Ginny…it was such a great part….
Fuck.
Honestly I think the funeral should have been in there, I was really disappointed with that. As Dragonslayer mentioned (spoilers) the part where Harry breaks up with Ginny is significant (they tried to make up for that part with the Harry/Hermione banter at the end) and the funeral itself was a wonderful, encompassing part of the book. My biggest bone to pick with this movie is the lack of the big fight scene at the end, after Snape kills Dumbledore. What on Earth??? Why did they cut that out? Huge scene where the Order of the Phoenix and kids from the D.A. fight the Death Eaters… how come that was omitted? I loved the movie because I’m such a die-hard HP fan and have read the books, but these omissions really left me disappointed, and I can see how people who haven’t read the books are thoroughly confused.
Y’know, in my review, I ended up giving this movie a 9/10. And having finished reading the book (for the second time) just hours before seeing the film, I have to admit, it was hard for me to notice any of these plot holes and logical missteps. That said, after hearing your thoughts about it, John, and looking back, I find myself saying…”Yeah, I know!” While some of the things that you mentioned actually are explained pretty thoroughly in the book (but again, the books are the books and the movies are the movies), there are also some things that - even in the novel - seemed a little odd.
About the only thing that I say in defense of the “cave scene” is that, even though the method used to get something as precious as a Horcrux does seem a little “weak”, for thte lack of a better word, there was also the issue of escaping the Inferi (the Gollum-looking corpses that crawled out of the water). So, while I can understand why that may’ve been a problem for you, I found that whole cave sequence to be the most emotionally impactful, and overall, my favorite scene in the film.
Nice review, John. I understand your frustration. You said the film has to stand on its own (separate from the book) and I agree completely.
Just to let you know, though, most (if not all) of your gripes with plot inconsistencies are explained fairly well (and for the most part in depth) in the books.
It’s a shame the movie wasn’t able to tell the same story to an audience that may not be familiar with the source material. The cave scene, for example, was thoroughly detailed in the book and should have been part of the movie to avoid confusion.
I get the indication that most of the overwhelmingly positive reviews may be from people who have read the books and were able to overlook the plot problems that you addressed.
Great review, though. I’ll see this one tomorrow.
Hey John are we going to get “I love you, Beth Cooper” review?
What about “Bruno” and “500 Days of Summer”?
Thanks John when you said spolier filled, paused it n exit
Holy God, you are not kind to this movie. I’d defend some points here, but you had such a solid rant against it, I don’t think it would to
change your mind any.
I did feel that knowledge of the books was mandatory to enjoy this movie, but since I’ve read the books…well, I enjoyed the hell out of it. I agree with you though, the movie should stand on it’s own.
Also, know that big scary dude with a combover? That’s Fenrir Greyback, a particurlarly vicous warewolf. He got almost zero screentime, and I can’t even recall if he got a speaking part or not. Now, there was supposed to be a fairly big battle sequence after Dumbledore’s death, which for some unknown reason got cut from the script. I wish it was there, because…
WHY DO YOU HIRE THAT BIG SCARY DUDE TO PLAY A CHARACTER THAT’S KIND OF A BIG DEAL…AND NOT GIVE HIM LINES?
I think the movie’s biggest shortcoming is the exclusion of that scene. In fact, the scene with the cornfield isn’t in the book at all. I would have cut the cornfield scene and added the big fight at the end. In fact, I want to know who’s fault it is that that didn’t happen.
So yeah, Greyback was completely wasted in the movie when he should have been tearing shit up at the end. He had better be all over the last two movies, or I’m going to be angry.
I understand your disappointment. But Fenrir Greyback really doesn’t mean a thing to the series at all. He turned Lupin into a werewolf. We’re long-past caring about how Lupin became a werewolf. He turns (spoiler) into a werewolf. So? That new werewolf had NO effect on the story at all! It’s only mentioned two or three times, and all it ever is is mentioned! It’s just filler for the book to make the world seem more miserable and chaotic.
But I do agree with you that the big fight scene should NOT have been removed. It would’ve given your favorite character something to do, despite it being insignificant.
I read an article about it and the final battle was omitted because the wanted to avoid redundancy with there being two battles at Hogwarts (one in the sixth book and one in the seventh). I was also upset that this scene was omitted and the only real action we got in the movie was the pathetic attack on the burrow and the quick run of the death eaters in Hogwarts. For those who would like to know the main reason for omission of the funeral was due to money. I am finding that Warner Brothers has a problem with this since that is why the movie was bumped from last November to now and the whole sixth movie just didn’t have the punch I felt it needed (characters omitted from scenes because of the cost)
Sorry to hear that you didn’t like the film much John. Much of the 6th book details were not included in the film (presumably to include in the seventh film (first part).
You mention the title being irrelevant. What about Goblet of Fire? The title was somewhat irrelevant as well as it only featured briefly.
Draco was allowed back into Hogwarts because (as Dumbledore suggested), there may be a good person within. The actions of the father do not necessarily get mimicked by the son.
Bad editing is why a reasonable explanation as to why they couldn’t cross the “puddle”. It is explained in the stories but is missed out in the film.
I thought the ending was too much. They should have ended on music as Dumbledore lay dead and wands were held aloft.
I personally loved the film (apart from the ending) although I can appreciate some of the points you’ve made.
Highly entertaining as ever John!
Wow, you didn’t hate the first two but hate the third? That’s divergent taste right there.
More on point though, while I enjoyed Half Blood Prince more than you I do think that towards the end it felt like a lot of things were cut.
I never read any of the books and the whole, “I know where to find the horocrux.” (sp?) thing seemed out of thin air.
The only thing I can assume is that Dumbledoor already knew about the horocrux thingies as he had a few already in his possession. Instead of just destroying them on his own, he wanted Harry to…I guess.
Either way, I enjoyed it. I mean, if you can turn your brain off on Transformers then seriously.
Yeah they dropped the ball a bit on the horcrux hunt. The indications they gave in the movie, to help you out, is (I THINK) when Harry finds out that Dumbledore is going on these long outings away from the castle, like the one Snape informed him of at the Christmas party Professor Slughorn held. In the books (maybe in the movie?) Dumbledore confirms Harry’s suspicions that he is searching for Horcruxes, and that Harry must do the same. Also there was some hint of it during the discussions of Dumbledore and Harry about the ring he had found and destroyed; but again, these were subtle and not friendly to people who hadn’t read the book.
I really enjoyed the movie. Finally some humor in potter that actually makes you laugh. Great special effects, great music.
OK, I’ve been following TMB for years and this is by far the most ridiculous review I’ve seen/heard.
Granted, the movie failed in some areas (e.g. the development of trying to discover the Half Blood Prince) but there are many things John says are ’stupid/illogical’, and I’m trying to figure out how he came to these thoughts.
In common with John, I also have not read the book. I believe the movie should stand on its own two feet, but I felt the movie did just that - considering its a bridge between the previous and upcoming movie.
I do not feel like picking on each individual thing John says here, but, for example:
Malfoy situation: in real life, if your father is evil/in prison, as a son, you also get vindicated? Uh, slightly prejudice to say the least.
The elixer matter: it was not just drinking the elixer one had to deal with but also dealing with the fuckload of monsters (that strangely looked like golum) that came afterwards. I thought that was rather obvious.
Anyways, granted the movie was not as good as the previous one, but this “review” - awful and personally speaking, contained just rantsing.
I have to say, John, I didn’t have a problem with ANY of the things you said. I didn’t ONCE say, “This doesn’t make any sense.” Now that you’re saying them one after another on their own, they may sound like logic leaps but within the context of the movie, when I was wrapped up in watching it, NONE of them never even crossed my mind.
Here’s the things I think made the movie great:
1. Dumbledore and Snape have a lot more to do in this movie. Snape in particular, and since I think Alan Rickman’s performance is probably the best of the entire franchise, it was great seeing that.
2. The special effects are FANTASTIC when they’re put in full use. That bridge destruction scene at the beginning was mind blowing as far as visuals go.
3. Yes, this movie may have had A LOT less action than the ones before it (particularly the Goblet of Fire) but that’s the point. I LOVED how they made it less about the action, and more about the characters. Less about the chaos going on, and more about how that chaos affects the characters. This isn’t child’s play anymore, there’s little showing off of new magic spells and the like, and it’s now just about “being” within this fantastical world.
4. The character development is great in this movie - as you say, getting to see the characters grown up from what they were in the first to what they are now, is great.
5. The way they mxied the darkness with the playfulness in the character interaction. They may have spent a little TOO much time on the romance stuff between the students, but the tone they had was a great mixed of darkness and playfulness.
6. The fact that Malfoy gets a bigger role in the movie. What you said about why he’s still at the school is.. well you answered it yourself when you talked about Malfoy’s bigger part in the movie - he’s not his father(!). Malfoy’s always been, as you say, a 1D character that’s there to pick on Harry, but now he’s a real part of what’s going on.
7. The way they set up the feeling of impending doom, like something bad is going to be happening in the future with Voldemort and everything. They did an amazing job setting up this feeling of dread.
8. Jim Broadbent as the new professor was funny and entertaining. And, again, I didn’t have a problem with the thing you said about why didn’t they just force it out of him. Never occured to me, because for me it worked within the context of watching the movie. I’m surprised it’s taken the franchise this long to use Broadbent considering the other British thesps they’ve used so far.
9. The cinematography I thought was gorgeous in the movie - really mysterious and washed out. The right look for what this entry into the franchise is about.
10. I thought they handled the Dumbledore death scene very well. I heard they cut some bits out of the book regarding his death, but what they did worked perfectly well for me. It left me wondering how there was even going to BE another movie without that important character.
There’s loads of other small things I loved about the movie, but those are the main ones that spring to me. Now let me just say I’m with you on the fact that the movies have to stand on their own two feet - you can’t say, “But in the book they…” This is not the book, this is the movie. And I haven’t read the books so I judge Harry Potter on the movies.
I’m not saying it’s a PERFECT movie, but it’s definitely a VERY (if not great) one in my eyes. Technically the best of the series so far, although three is still my personal favourite (why do you hate it so much? Alfonso Cuaron did so much right with that one).
A solid 8/10 from me for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
ahhh darn… I can’t see videos on my computer here at work. So, I can no longer know what you think about movies or read the discussions you like to have on movies. It’s like if I’ve got less reasons to come on this site now! It’s annoying since I usually like your reviews and all…
5/10 John? did we see the same movie? did you really give this movie the same score as the embarassingly bad Transformers 2?
It wasn’t perfect a missed a few key scenes (would’ve loved to see Dumbledores funeral scene as the end from the book) but otherwise it was a fairly well paced 2 and half hours and this review just seems like a rant and usually your better then that.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I find it hard to believe that the movie’s worse than Transformers 2…
Most of what you said makes a lot of sense to me until the Draco/Lucious Malfoy thing… That sounds like your fishing for more bad qualities… If a kid’s father murders a bunch of people, you still have to give that kid an education…
Still… I agree with the whole flying across the ocean thing… Reminds me of X2 when Nightcrawler falls from the top of his church… “What are you yelling for? Just teleport your ass out of there!”
There’s no way this is “worse” than Transformers 2. A lot a critics have been loving it, and I think RT has this sitting at a 89%.
Oh, well. To each his own. I loved the hell outta it. I think I’ll go on and call it the best of the series (which was originally GOF)
Wasn’t his teleportation blocked by Jean Grey?
Great review, John.
I completely disagree with you, but that doesn’t mean your review wasn’t really good.
I do completely agree the titular plot (The Half Blood Prince) had no bearing to the story, and could have been easily omitted, and at the end, the big reveal was a big let down.
I do have to disagree with the idea of just waterboarding the Hogwarth guy who has the memory, I mean, Harry is hardly the hero who pushes bamboo shoots up guys fingernails for information.
I also think it wasn’t a blatent misstep for people to keep Draco in the castle. It’s clear Dumbledore knew what was going on, but as you mentioned, he isn’t a death eater, and his conflict is some of the best parts of the movie.
I also thought the movie was less choppy, and flowed better than some of the others, especially Goblet of Fire, which seemed more like a complilation of events. I, too haven’t read the books either, but I did enjoy this movie.
The whole “can’t get past the puddle” thing had me rolling, though.
I personally love the hell outta the film. It’s really the best of the films:
Pros:
-The visual effects
-The characters’ maturity
-Funny
-Cool action (when their was action)
-Harry and Dumbledore’s relationship
-The ending tore me (even though I read the book beforehand)
-The Opening Scene was cool
-They brought back Quidditch!!!!
-Malfoy has a bigger role
-Seeing Voldemort’s past
-Dark despite PG rating
-Helena Bonham Carter
Cons:
-A bit of a spoiler: Aragog’s funeral scene was just silly and didn’t make you feel anything.
-I honestly can’t think of anything else
Overall: 9/10. A must-see
LOL! The ocean/puddle thing was hilarious. Thanks John - you gave me my big laugh for the day.
Plot hole 1. The really did drop the ball on the Half-Blood Prince, but in the scene before hogsmead and the cursed neclace. Ron and Hermione was picking on harry for sleeping with the book and refering to the half-blood price as a genuis. I would say that is obsessive. All easyly forgettable by the end.
Plot hole 2. In real life we don’t prevent kids from atteding school do to the criminal actions of there parents.
Plot hole 3. Not forcing Slughorn to give up his memory. Not everyone on knew Slughorn had such knowledge or the ministry would have had him. Dumbledore has his one way of doing things and they usually involve free will and choice firs.He is a grand persorn of morals and what is good. The first film(all previous films) covered that
Plot hole 4. The importance wasn’t the horcrux but how many them. Dumbledore needed to know if they were looking for three, seven, thirtenn, 167 horcruxes.
Plot hole 5. How did Dumbledore know where to find the horcux. The first Slughorn memory already mention horcrux(barely understandable) Snapes take the time to tell harry dumbledore is traveling at slupghorns party. Harry later confirms with dumdledore he’s been searching for horcruxes after he gains slughorn memory. In the first Tom riddlw Memory there is a picture of the cave in the little boys room. He didn’t know. He found it.
Plot Hole 6.
It is made known that Voldermort is the most powerful dark wizard and Dumbledore is the most powerful good wizard. The fact that this is a magical world with curses and countercurses. If voldemort can buid a cave with requires blood for entrance. Couldn’t he cursed the area so you can’t fly inside. The whole point of the elixer was to weaken you so that the golum creatures can kill you. The fact that Dumbledore need harry to fore feed him to drink all up ment that dumbledore would have proably failed if he tried to do it by himself. It maybe visually weak. But there is nothing weak about forcing yourself or a father figure to go through overwelming agony over and over and over and over and over again.
Spot on. Many of the issues John had are explained when you watch the film a 2nd or 3rd time. When you watch the movie the first time you don’t notice the subtle shots which emphasize random objects which later turn out to be horcruxes, or newspaper articles/photos which explain character motivations. They show Harry clutch the Half-Prince book and carry it with him many times in the film and Hermione makes fun of him for it (the reveal of HBP is weak though). The cave and other horcruxes are foreshadowed in the memory scenes. Even RAB is foreshadowed which really surprised me. There are a number of foreshadows that won’t make sense until all the movies are finished.
Of course Dumbledore knew about horcruxes, he admits as such with the journal and the ring (and his disappearance during Christmas). The emphasis of his hand in these scenes will make even more sense in the later movies. This is not something you get only from reading the book, they show it and mention it in the movie. It is the number and the possible location of the horcruxes that Slughorn had (Dumbledore didn’t know exactly what was in the memory, he just hoped it was would be helpful). John mentions each character grows in the movies but the one thing we see in every movie is Dumbledore never “forcefully coerces” and won’t even attack someone unless it is in defense. His character was long been established as this and going all Jack Bauer on Slughorn would be against the nature of the character the movies have established thus far.
The drink is a little preposterous, but the reason they needed a boat is because Dumbledore didn’t know what type of defense there would be. It could have easily been a defense that prevented magic and if you flew over the water using magic you would be stuck. Or an incapacitation spell that would force Harry to move both of them across the lake using magic. Sometimes it is better to be cautious and rely on simple objects rather than complex technology (or in this case magic) to do simple tasks (like cross a lake).
They shouldn’t prevent Draco from attending due to his dad’s criminal activities. The newspaper at the beginning says Draco and his mother walked out of the trial, maybe they walked out as a way of disowning the dad? Although I am surprised no one thought about checking Draco’s arm for the Death Eater tattoo. Maybe only Death Eaters know the spell to see it?
I had many problems with the 5th movie and feel the same way about it that John feels about this one, but I felt this film did show and explain many things that if you weren’t looking for them the first time you wouldn’t have noticed them and would be caught by surprise by some of the choices characters make later on.
John - I love the site and I don’t want to tell you what to do. However…
I look forward to your movie reviews because I believe we share the same onions on certain aspects of film making. I also like the spoilerish video on this post. Can you do both? I still haven’t seen the movie and, based on that one line review, I do not know what to expect.
Keep up the great work.
Here’s another vote for written reviews as the default… this dang computer I’m on doesn’t have sound… aaaaaargh!
forgive me of my spelling it is 8 am for me
John I agreed with everything you said except for hating the third movie. Alfonso Cuarón made perhaps the only good Harry Potter film with The Prisoner of Azkhaban.
You da man John! Finally a score and review that I agree with. Yes I am a fanboy of the books and yes I should not compare the two cause It will never be as good, I know this. The last 30 minutes is what killed it really for me. That was the most bland, flat, unimaginative ending I have seen in a long time. Not having the battle at hogwarts at the end was a mistake. I’m calling shenanigans on Yates saying it would feel repetitive since they will have a big battle at the end of the next one. Pretty sure there has been some kind of battle at the end of all the movies. They left out so much of the plot but yet added in so much of their own?
I wanna love this movie, I really do but I can’t look past the lack luster ending, and the no action. The ending took away all the suspense, theories and tear jerking emotion. It makes me sad inside to think the same writer and director will be doing the last installment.
You *hated* Prisoner of Azkaban?! That one’s, like, the Empire Strikes Back of the series. Huh…
I actually gotta disagree with that. I loved the third…but the first two were better and the fourth one was the best until HBP came out. Just my opinion.
PoA might be my favorite movie of the bunch. It was the first sign of maturity and darkness in the series. Lupin is a favorite of mine though.
I completely agree with Dragonslayer. The disliked the third one but the fourth was the best in the series.
Early reviews sar saying that GI JOE is better than TF2. Also some movie sites who have watched the movie are saying it is better than TF2.
I think Gi Joe will beat TF2 at rottentomatoes. Take that in written.
Apparently the movie has a lot of awesome action scenes that they haven’t even shown in the ads. They keep pimping the accelerator suits but that is it.
I thought it was a good movie because I read the book and I can fill in the holes they left in the movie, but I have to agree with you John. Right after I got out of the midnight showing I told my friend the same thing. For a person who does not read the books and only sees the movie it will be very confusing and make very little sense. They left out a lot of the details from the book and that hurt the movie tremendously. Then they go adding scenes that were not in the book, where the death eaters attack the Weasleys. That scene did not contribute anything to the movie what so ever. They just showed Harry and Ginny running after death eaters for 10 minutes; 10min they could have used to actually explain the Half-Blood Prince a lot better than the 2 crappy scenes they dedicated to it in the movie. Out of all of the books that have been turned into movies, The Half Blood Prince is the one that deviates away from the original story the most. I enjoyed it, but I was expecting more than what they delivered.
I’m so glad you haven’t read the books, John. I haven’t reviewed any of the previous films, but I’d really like to review this one, and that requires looking at it as simply a movie.
And if you’re searching for logic within the illogical, you’re really not going to enjoy this series overall.
They have a special “moving seat” option in Ontario Canada for the new potter movie. It’s $7 extra premium. Only 1 theatre nationally has these seats.
Movie Summary - The kids make out with each other. Nothing happens. Dumbledore dies way to easily. The end. I havent read the books, but I dont believe Dumbledore is really dead. Look for him in the next one.
There is a reason Dubledore Dies too easy, we just don’t find out why till the next one…
Hats off John. You’re absolutely right. Hardcore fanboys will praise anything…it sucked.
“Hardcore fanboys will praise anything”
That is such a generalized statement and also wrong. A lot of hardcore fans of Star Trek did not like the new Star Trek. Truth be told hardcore fans can swing either way. A hardcore fan has just as much chance as loving something for the fact that is part of what they are a fan of, or they can be the heaviest critic because they hold up to the standards of past works.
A hardcore fan of Harry Potter has the potential of loving the new Potter movie for the mere fact it is a potter movie, but they can also be the heaviest critic because might compare it to the book and point out all the flaws. I would probably go far as to say a hardcore fan is capable, if they are open minded enough, to point out more flaws than a general fan or somebody that is not a fan at all.
Have to agree with Jeremy K. on this one. Fans tend to be able to see all of the mistakes and can hold it up in comparison to what it could/should have been.
That’s not true. Hardcore fans always bash things. They bashed Star Trek. Watchmen. And there will be bashing for this. That’s one disadvantage for adapting something
Yes, it was a very general statement, some fanboys will rip into any deviation from canon etc…but it’s been my experience that just as many ‘fanboys’ of various things will go out of their way to defend away things that the general populace thinks are stupid.
John had relevent points in his review. That’s all.
I am the biggest HP fan out there (deffinatedly at my Target and at School) and i fucking hated it.
John
I gotta agree with you about a lot of what you said. Watching the movie, we seem to understand Dumbledore doesn’t actually know what the hell is going on, only to later hear him say “ah, I knew that”. The movie does put the character development on its priority list, only to lose the point of it all as it gets to the climax.
The point you make about the cave is spot on. It’s not like they couldn’t use their magic to get across, as Dumbledore uses his magic to light the cave and to save Harry. So really, what was the point of the chained boat? (I also have to agree with you about the books and the movie having to be separate).
One point of contention though, is that I disagree with you about Snape. He has made it a point to help Harry out a couple times, although by being a bit hard on the kid, so to say that we know him as the bad guy should be an obvious point out, when we watch him take an oath. The problem is, though, that Harry doesn’t know he took that oath.
The biggest problem I find with these Potter films, is that they are trying to be too mysterious with how easy it’s all going to end up being. I’ve found that Harry, being the “chosen one”, always needs the help of someone else to get from getting killed, never seems to have the answers to anything, and always gets to like the “bad guy” who’s trying to kill him. With Harry now witnessing a close person kill his “father figure” (again), maybe he’ll finally grow up and realize his potential. I just fear that the newer films are still going to bomb the endings, much as they did this one. Harry watches these people kill his mentor, and walks behind them until they are all free to escape? WTF is that?
If Watchmen wasn’t like the book, you wouldn’t be upset?
I don’t know who you were directing your question at, but it seems like your question is asking about how people respond to changes made during an adaptation. I would have to fall on the side of the fence that says it’s fine to make changes.
The Bourne movies are absolutely nothing like the books, but for the most part they are pretty good. Not upset that they are different, but at the same time would like to see them made again some day following the story lines that were laid out in the book.
Let the Right One In left out some major story arcs from the book, but the movie was still amazing. Though in this example the movie is still very similar to the book, whereas the Bourne movies are absolutely not like the books. Still, though, changes were made and some good came of it.
Just saw it second time. I like it a lot better. Definitly one of the best in the series. And one of the better films of this summer.
hahah a 5/10 wtf….this comes down to ….did u like the previous movies…..then u will like this one and it will be better then a 5 more like a 8….story wholes are a plenty in hollywood and im pretty sure making a 4 hour movie isnt what they where looking for…me personally i never read the books so i can care less about certain things i just want to be entertained…which i was and i thought it was a good movie….i dont understand how u give this a 5 and the hangover a 10….ya talk about plot wholes..idc how u explain it, getting a tiger onto a top floor of a major casino hotel is impossible and is stupid…sure funny but major plothole.
No interest in seeing this. The first one pissed me off and I never bothered with the rest. The subject matter doesn’t interest me, not in the least bit.
I’m sorry.
John I pretty much agree with everything you mentioned. I thought it would be way more action packed, it wasn’t. I really REALLY wanted to like this but i’m also in the minority-I didn’t. It was boring and dragged and even the action felt just as if it was put in there just for some action. It started off great but quickly melted and less than half way through I already didn’t like it. Totally agree man, his death was not emotional at all, they could have done that way better.
When he finally says “I’m the Half Blood Prince”….COME ON. It’s like he’s saying “Oh yeah um I’m the half blood prince didn’t you know?” They just freaking pull that out of nowhere. It’s way too long also. Now one thing I did enjoy was the cabinet thing, I thought that was kind of cool. things in this are total nonsense and not logical at all, yes I understand it’s fantasy.
I probably just offended a lot of people, but the book and the movie should stand on their own.
I wsas excited for this one and terribly let down. It’s not horrible and was a little entertaining but wow I didn’t like it, never thought I’d say that. 4.5/10
Just as a note John, you asked how Dumbledore knew where the Horcrux was. When you go back and watch it a second time (which you should) pay close attention to the scenes in Dumbledores office and the scenes involving memories.
When dumbledore opens the memory case there are a lot labeled Tom Riddle Age: ___ and Harry notes how Dumbledore has been leaving the school to find the Horcruxes and research into Voldemorts past.
For example, the first memory scene, you can clearly see the rock formation where the Horcrux is hidden on a picture/postcard in Tom Riddles hands at the orphanage.
Lastly, the reason they take the boat is that Dumbledore clearly doesn’t trust the water. Look at that scene, Harry couldn’t fill the cup with water, and you want to think they could just fly and apparate there way around anywhere in there? Lord Voldemort is smarter then that, especially when it involves bits of his soul.
After watching your review I had so much to say, but in reading the comments, everything is covered. Enlight78 and Jay E pretty much said everything I was thinking except for one point.
I think you were expecting quite a bit more action, and that is not surprising considering the marketing. That being said, the source material is not really action packed. Like the movie, it was more about the relationships, setting a tone, and showing how things have changed.
I would suspect that your biggest problem with the movie is that you were expecting something completely different. I have to say I was quite surprised to see the action focus on the commercials and trailers, and I think it was rather misrepresented.
Yeah, this was a good review :-)
Although I gotta say that most of your points had a lot to do with stuff that the director took from the book and put in the movie. I understand that the book is the book, and the movie is the movie…
…but if the director changed or added too much stuff from the book to the movie, then you’d have people jumping up saying “It changes from the book!” However, I guess I could see how that might not have been such a bad thing.
Just saying, though.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. I have a love/hate attitude towards this movie at the moment. There were some things left out, (Greyback, funeral, etc.) but for the most part, the omissions did not kill the movie as a whole. I would have preferred a bit more focus on exploring Voldemorts past and I will not be able to get past leaving out the battle at the end. There were plenty of subtle instances/scenes that gave insight in to later parts of the movie and/or forshadowed what is to come. Having read the books definitely made catching these moments easier. It wasn’t the best movie in the series, but a very solid one overall.
I really enjoyed it, but the only problem with it for me was, the plot never really goes anywhere for most of the film.
You hit the nail right on the head, John. Being an avid fan of the books, having read each one multiple times, the frequently confusing plot points made sense to me. But each of the films, as you mentioned, need to stand on their own two feet. There has to be a cinematic structure, otherwise adaptations like this will fail. A friend of mine also pointed out that there is no closure with any of the Harry Potter films. He elaborated, saying that it’s a great saga altogether, but not any of the films are noteworthy as individuals. The ending always leaves you confused and wanting more, and although it seems like a clever marketing scheme, it’s extremely frustrating for the one watching the movie.
In regards to Radcliffe’s Harry Potter, I find him rigid and boring. I can show empathy for his ‘tormented soul’ demeanor, but he is constantly one to jump the gun, get angry, and blow something out of proportion to the point where someone gets hurt. There is not an ounce of interest that I can show for his character. Alan Rickman’s Snape, on the other hand, is absorbing and a consistent joy to see on screen. The random pauses, flat tone, and sly dialogue makes me want to see more of him in the film. And am I the only one that couldn’t buy the relationship between Harry and Ginny? It seemed fake, rushed, and heavily lacking in overall chemistry.
Really insightful review, John. Definitely one I find easy to agree with.
I personally blame David Yates and Steve Kloves for this horrible adaptation.
John
If you would have read the book, your review would have been 100 times harsher, and i would have enjoyed the review, a lot more.
Haz, what would you have given it?
Using Johns reviewing system?
A 1.5 ONLY because of the romance
I was waiting for this movie for so long. SO LONG. I was like talking about it with all my HP nerdy friends and it was so fucking cool….and now…SHIITTT!!!!!!
John can certainly sit through a movie man, im not that patient, i dont know how he found the kindness to give it a five.
Johns review is so freaking generous, if i would have reviewed it I would have burned the fuck out of it. The book was the best of the 7 and the movie was the worst so far. By FAR.
I will never get over this.
OK. Was it just be or was everyone bothered by the plot moving all over the place?
My family didnt care because they didnt read the book, they liked it.
I was fucking pissed
I read the book and I loved it. But that’s just me.
I think it’s unfair to judge it the way you do, because your only problems with this movie seem to be the differences between book and film. That doesn’t constitute a bad movie, just a different movie than what you thought it might be. With that being said, I think it’s the best movie I’ve seen all year.
Dragonslayer
I feel so glad for you.
Seriously.
I wish i had the slightest feeling of satisfaction from this movie
Haz, you seem to be applauding John for his review, but did you watch it? He said that a movie needs to be able to stand on its’ own two feet, without any prior knowledge of the book it is adapted upon. You are disparaging the Half-Blood Prince solely because of the differences between the film and book. Having read the books, I put forth my best effort to judge the movie based upon what was put on the screen, nothing else. Shouldn’t you have done the same?
My sentiments exactly. A film should be judged for what it is, not what you think it should be.
i AM applauding his review.
No
Acutually, i dont think his review was even CLOSE to anything near reality, that was BY FAR the most generous reviewed movie ive EVER seen. 80% ?!?!!? 5/10 ?!?! I dont know, i dont know how John felt this deserved five. But Its Johns opinion and out of ALL the rotten tomatoes reviews hes the only one that stopped and said “Um why doesnt it make any fucking sense!???”
Yes- again, the movie should be its OWN thing, but when it doesnt make any fucking sense, then you have to ask “Was this on the book? if so- why couldnt they explain it in the movie? if they did it would have made sense”
Okay, let me put this in a better angle for you all to understand
(Let me get my finger puppets)
Kids do a play called “Titanic” based on the movie, but only 1/10 is about their romance and the whole thing is about the people who played the violins, the ships size, and the chances youll get to dinner on time if you take the long route to the dinner hall, and the movie ends with the boy dying and her surviving, but never do they show the ice berg. So to me the play made no sense and i want to know why you didnt explain the ships sinking or why they liked each other, did they love each other? why didnt you show that yet you showed the violin players?
So you all would come up to me, someone that disaproves of this and say
“But the original and this play must stand on its own! this is something completely different, just because its based on the original doesnt mean its got to be the same!”
And then after mugging you out of my 10$ i would grab a sofa and throw it at you
He said that the movie needs to stand on its own
yes he did
Why?
So that when he complained about the movies weaknesses YOU ALL wont say “But it was explained in the book!” because he KNEW we would say that
He didnt say it because he thought the movie didnt need to be like the book.
Hes a director, im sure he understands that if the original makes sense and the remake doesnt, they should have followed the original a LITTLE better
I mean, he looked confused in his review, of course he did. Im sorry you had to go through that John.
I had no problem understanding this movie whatsoever. Most of the things John had a problem with in this movie are actually explained IN the movie, he just wasn’t paying attention obviously.
I just saw it for the second time today. I even went in with this review in mind, and I have to say that your complaints about this movie seem even more off base and nit-picky after seeing it again. The movie is even better the second time around, and I picked up on a few subtleties I overlooked the first time. You should really do the same.
wow! really?? couldn’t put up a real review? aHEM! LAZY! COUGH COUGH!
I really liked the movie. Easily one of the best (better than the first two by a mile), I’m surprised you hate the third, that one is my favorite!
I loved the way they developed the characters in this one. Hated the way they changed the ending in the book (it was unnecessary, the book’s ending made so much more sense). But overall I loved it.
Preface: Never read the books.
I enjoy these movies based on that merit alone, as a movie. I am still dumbfounded how this film gets fantastic reviews. It dosnt explain anything about the “Half blood Prince” or Tom Riddles past (other then he was a troubled child). I didnt get this feeling of impending doom and War. I dont feel like their is any jeopardy to anyplace but Hogwartz school. Johns’ logic bombs make perfect sense. The love stories are silly and not entertaining. I felt nothing for the death of DD. I dont feel like Harry Potter is this great wizard. Clearly you see these great spells and abilities the seasoned wizards have, and Harry has what “Stupify”, and thats gonna scare off evildoers?
This movie lacked an epic adventure feeling, and feels very jumpy without explanation.
I agree with the review, H.P. and H.B.P. was alright, not bad, not good but alright
I also agree with you. This movie was HUGE letdown. I can’t emphasise enough to anyone who hasn’t read this book that the movie was only about 40% of the story. Theres gotta be so many people standing around after watching the movie saying HUH? what does half this stuff mean?
They left out so many important scenes and information that I’m surprised anyone can understand it if they haven’t read it.
It was also to comical. Voldemorts starting to take over and instead of making the film darker they add more jokes and what have you to it. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Only thing that makes this film stand on its legs is the series. If they came out with a film like this stand alone, it would get hammered.
So yeah 3 / 10 and its lucky to get that IMO!
Yeah… I just saw it. Almost everything John talked about as a negative was over exaggerated. I do agree with the “The only question is, how do we get there?” They could have explained why just popping over there would be a bad idea… Also, the part where Snape says “I AM THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE!” was a little over dramatic. They DO pose some mystery to the book. They do. They really do. But they don’t pose enough mystery to it for Alan Rickman to have said it like it was the conclusion to a soap opera cliff hanger.
That being said, there is NOOOOOOOOOOOO way that this movie deserves to hold the same 5/10 rating that Transformers 2 got. I almost always agree with the opinions on this site, but I’m as disappointed with this review as I am with Twilight winning “Best Movie” at MTV’s joke of a movie award show.
The third movie is my favorite too. I can’t understand how some see it as the worst of the franchise.
And this one I’ll be watching tomorrow! It’s been a very long wait so I don’t care if there’s a lot of mixed reviews for this movie. I just hope hope I won’t be let down.
John, Dumbledore didn’t just know where the horcrux was, it is plainly stated that the reason he was traveling all year was to find it, and the first memory clearly shows allusions to the cave. And as far he and Harry not just flying across the water or something, I think you gave yourself the answer to that. It would be all too easy to do something like that, so obviously he must have thought you had to get there a certain way, not knowing what sort of defenses might be set up there. Gosh, man, if you can’t work out things like that for yourself… geez.
Wow, completely disagree with John on all points.
Everything in the movie made complete sense to me, and the death of Dumbledore was a very emotional moment in the theater I was at. Felt the emotion welling up myself.
No idea how he missed on half the stuff or didn’t understand, must not have been paying attention all that well, which is possible since he couldn’t even remember Slughorn’s name, who had the group the “Slug Club” which was referenced numerous times.
Thank you so much for this review. Whenever I see movies that are based off books I’ve read I always wonder how people who have not read the book feel about the movie. The funny thing is that most of my complaints over things they left out of the film version of HP 6 would have fixed your complaints over what the film was lacking. I could go into specific details from the books that would clarify so much of what puzzled you, but you’re right; I shouldn’t have to! The movie should be able to stand on its own and not need the book to come along and save it.
Here’s my opinion on what went wrong. In the book series, the stories get progressively darker as Harry gets closer to his final battle with Voldermort (I didn’t give anything away because readers and nonreaders can all tell that that is where this all is heading…). So the 6th book was very dark. The previews which you mentioned made it look exactly as I suspected: dark, full of mysteries revealed, and epic wizard fights. Instead, they made the movie into a freaking snogfest. They threw in love scene after love scene, giggle fit after giggle fit, and why? So that the movie would not be too dark for kids. They want to keep these movies on the light side so they don’t scare parents away from taking their kids to 7 and 8. That’s why they ADDED stupid scenes (which really grinds my gears) and left out more important ones.
What worries me the most is that they left out so much that will end up being very important in the next film. Hopefully they will make up some major ground logic-wise in the 6th and 7th movies, because right now I can easily see the non-reader audience going “huh?” at the end of the 8th movie.
Hi John,
I love your review! I can feel your pain on why you just can’t help but hate the movie. I would just like to clear some points that confused you in the plot.
About the horcrux - Dumbledore already knows about the horcrux and what it does. However, he needs to know how many horcruxes are out there to destroy. Which is why he asked Harry to collect this particular memory to Slughorn. (The guy you called Hogsworth :D)
About the whole scene in the cave, there are places in the wizarding world that you just can’t use all the spells in your book. One example is Hogwarts, that’s why Draco is trying to repair the vanishing cabinet because Dumbledore is the only one who can apparate in Hogwarts. In the cave, Dumbledore is very careful about using any spell because there is a possibility that it will backfire to him or Harry. As pointed out by the others, Dumbledore did explain this in that cave scene.
I agree that there are a lot of plotholes in the movie. I didn’t know that the plotholes are evident to non-readers of the book too. :D
John,
Good for you for watching the whole thing. I left after one hour after having waited almost an hour to get in.
I didn’t like the movie based on what they left out. Had more of those scenes been included you would have had a better idea of what was happening, or why, as well as given something of a damn about the Half Blood Prince. I agree that when the reveal happened it did absolutely nothing for me… at that point who would care about the “mystery” of the Half Blood Prince?
Sticking to what is shown in the movie it seemed clear to me that Dumbledore knew about Horcruxes. My memory is foggy, but I believe the ring on Tom Riddle’s finger from the memory was the one Dumbledore had acquired. Based on his possession of the ring and the stabbed diary he already knew what Voldemort had done.
What Dumbledore believed was that since it was being so closely guarded the tampered memory could be an important tidbit required to defeat Voldemort. He has not been shown to be the sort of man who would torture someone for information. As the only memory he could show Harry had been altered by the giver it seems that in order to get to truthful account of events it had to be given up willingly.
The important hint from the memory was how Tom Riddle was thinking about 7 Horcruxes.
Jon,
Draco’s father is the death eater, the logic is that until Draco actually does anything wrong he is innocent. If anything Dumbledore is always forgiving to a fault.
As for the horcrux, I think you are focusing more on the actual magical item instead of the number. Dumbledore didn’t need Slughorn to reveal the horcrux to him he needed to know the amount of horcuxes that had been made.
As you said all film is subjective, I happened to enjoy the film. Not the best in the series but I also think that having read the books I knew I was in for a dialog heavy, character drama instead of an action-adventure piece. For me, it was a 4 out of 5.
Eh…I went in not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed myself thoroughly.
I didn’t really realize how many plot holes there were because having read the book, I knew what was going on…the main thing I noticed was what happened to Ron’s family? There house was set on fire and that was the last we saw from them.
Ha ha ha, very funny John and all extremely valid points too. I’ve got another one for ya. Why didn’t Harry drink that luck potion sooner? If I were him, I would have drunk it right before I chased Bellatrix into that field outside the Weasley home. If it works the way I think it does he could have killed those Death Eaters.
And what actually is a half blood prince? What does it mean?
And why does Ron not seem to give a shit that his family’s house burned to the ground?
And why is Daniel Radcliffe incapable of crying?
Having said that, I did thoroughly enjoy it. Every single moment on screen here is character development, relationships and moments. I also thought it was stunningly shot and photographed. David Yates has been saddled with adapting two books which (no offense) seem to serve only to provide filler until the seventh. I think he’s proven very adept at enfusing them with energy, life and tone.
But I’ll tell you this Yates, I’d better know what a deathly hallow is when I walk out of that theatre next time. You’ve got two movies to explain it to me.
A half blood is someone whos got a wizard dad and a muggle mom, or vise versa. And it was really important in this book but, they decided itd be cool to just leave all that shit out
I guess as much but why does he call himself a prince?
I just saw it and it was alright. Not nearly as good as some people were saying. They sacrificed the whole thing with the half-blood prince to pack the movie with the love shit (and the only good thing that came out of that was the scene with Hermione crying), so when Snape says that he’s the HBP, the audience shrugs. Dumbledore’s death had as much of an impact on me as Diggory’s death in Goblet of Fire…NO IMPACT. Shit, Harry was more hysterical at Diggory’s death in that movie than he was at Dumbledore’s death here. Something’s wrong with that. The ending SUCKED, and the funeral should have been in. That ending scene was ASS. WHY is Ron just sitting back there, not saying anything? No wonder everyone thinks Harry and Hermione are gonna end up together, they keep on putting those two in scenes together all of the friggin’ time! Malfoy was GREAT here, and the sectumsempra scene was appropriately brutal.
Emma Watson must learn to control her fucking eyebrow acting. They waggle out of control at times.
And the whole Ron/Lavender thing was deflated by the fact that you don’t know why the hell Ron is with this girl when he clearly is into Hermione. The only reason he was with Lavender was to piss Hermione off since he was told by Ginny that Hermione had kissed Viktor Krum, that Ron was the only one in the group to have not kissed a girl, and that Hermione had no faith in him to win the Quid match w/o outside help. Without that knowledge, the whole thing doesn’t make much sense and comes out of nowhere. But that’s just me, maybe.