Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Sadly Over-hyped

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Directed by David YatesStarring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert GrintOverall: On its own, this movie is actually a really good and well made movie. As a book-film adaptation, it falls very short and that is a major complaint for many fans.Good: 1. Daniel Radcliffe does a great job as Harry Potter,2. Rupert Grint does a good job as bumbling Ron Weasley as does Emma Watson as Hermione Granger.3. Michael Gambon does a phenomenal job as Albus Dumbledore and does a better job here than I imagine Richard Harris would have done.4. Jim Broadbent does a great job as Horace Sloghorn, and gives the character numerous layers of depth.5. Alan Rickman is Alan Rickman. Nothing more needs to be said of the matter.6. Tom Felton plays a much larger role as Draco Malfoy and explores numerous sides of the character not previously explored.7. Bonnie Wright also gives a great performance and plays a much larger role in the movie.8. I love the cinematography and set design.9. Awesome effects, especially near the end.Bad:1. Out of the many things left out of the book-screen script, the reason as to why Snape is the Half-Blood prince is one of the main ones and is very stupid. I know why he is but the casual audience member probably won't and that defeats the object of it.2. Lavender is such an overacted character that it went beyond the realm of funny and into the realm of annoying.9/10

This is my favorite because we get to explore the relationships of all the actors more in this story and (spoiler) Hermione and Ron show more feelings to each other. I like that we get to see Harry use liquid luck potion, I love the addition of Professor Slughorn. Spoiler Warning: I also love that we get to see more of Voldemort's back story and see him become the person he is today. This is a dark film but there are also very heartfelt and sweet moments as well. You get to see Dumbledore and Harry's relationship grow as well. There are some funny parts in the movie as well. Overall, I would say this movie has great acting, great heart and the ending is so great and powerful! :)

Harry joins Dumbledore in a quest to discover details about Voldemort's past that could lead to his undoing in the future, all while the teenage trio deal with humorous and heartbreaking relationship woes. This sixth film deftly balances mystery, comedy, and romance for its first two hours, wisely slowing the pace to give its characters room to breathe and grow before thrusting them into the breathless, chilling, and genuinely heartbreaking last half hour. Michael Gambon here gives the definitive portrayal of Dumbledore, and the relatively lighthearted initial tone serve as a brilliant contrast to the earth-shattering encroachment of evil; it truly feels like there's something to lose, and the stakes are set high for the finale. IS IT OKAY FOR YOUR KIDS? Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is rated PG. A central character is hit with a killing curse and dies; friends and colleagues mourn around the body. A central character drinks a potion that torments him mentally and emotionally; another goes into convulsions when he accidentally imbibes poison. Several male and female characters kiss, at times passionately.ANY WORTHWHILE MESSAGES? Telling the truth, even when it's painful, often paves the way for the triumph of good.. Unity and light bring hope which can dispel darkness and despair. Women like men who display chivalry and treat them with respect.

Hard-core fans of Harry Potter claim that movie franchise started well enough but it goes worse with every new movie. To me, as to someone who did not read the books, it is quite the opposite. Maybe they don't follow books as much as they should, but actors are growing up and acting improves with every movie, story is more and more interesting and directing and effects sustain same good level. Great entertainment for whole family.7,5/10.............................................