Post by Patcat on Jul 21, 2009 15:15:42 GMT -5
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I'd guess that the most difficult book or film of a series is the one where everything happens that makes the finale possible. As a book and a film, THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE falls into that category. I can't agree with the many reviewers who've called this the best Harry Potter film, although I also have to say I don't which one I'd call the best. This one does have a lot of excellent qualities. The screenplay does a fine job of streamlining a large and occasionally unwieldy book, largely by concentrating on the three young principals. The good thing is that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Gint are up to carrying the film. Radcliffe gets to show a wry sense of humor at several points and admirably pulls off the tough job of playing a hero who's accepted his fate, whatever it is. The bad thing is that, aside from the always wonderful Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon, the other adult actors get little to do. Tom Felton--who I've always suspected might be the most talented of the young actors--finally gets a chance to do something besides sneer and does wonderfully.
BIG SPOILER
Those of you familar with the Potter books know this is the one where Dumbledore dies. I was devestated when I read this in the book. But, in this film, not so much. In all honesty, I'm not sure if this was the film's fault, or that I was expecting too much from the moment.
By the way, although I was surprised by the humor in the first third or so of the the movie (much of it dealing with romantic entanglements), this is a very dark movie, so consider taking younger kids with caution. My 8-year-old friend Anna was ok, but she knew the book.
Patcat
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
AHEAD!
I'd guess that the most difficult book or film of a series is the one where everything happens that makes the finale possible. As a book and a film, THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE falls into that category. I can't agree with the many reviewers who've called this the best Harry Potter film, although I also have to say I don't which one I'd call the best. This one does have a lot of excellent qualities. The screenplay does a fine job of streamlining a large and occasionally unwieldy book, largely by concentrating on the three young principals. The good thing is that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Gint are up to carrying the film. Radcliffe gets to show a wry sense of humor at several points and admirably pulls off the tough job of playing a hero who's accepted his fate, whatever it is. The bad thing is that, aside from the always wonderful Alan Rickman and Michael Gambon, the other adult actors get little to do. Tom Felton--who I've always suspected might be the most talented of the young actors--finally gets a chance to do something besides sneer and does wonderfully.
BIG SPOILER
Those of you familar with the Potter books know this is the one where Dumbledore dies. I was devestated when I read this in the book. But, in this film, not so much. In all honesty, I'm not sure if this was the film's fault, or that I was expecting too much from the moment.
By the way, although I was surprised by the humor in the first third or so of the the movie (much of it dealing with romantic entanglements), this is a very dark movie, so consider taking younger kids with caution. My 8-year-old friend Anna was ok, but she knew the book.
Patcat
