Mixed Thoughts on Half Blood Prince

I usually go with my dominant opinion when it comes to reviewing movies but this one had me struggling with plenty of contradicting thoughts.

This movie will definitely bore most it's viewers who are well still below puberty. I know how some people think it's boring. It's true! For the average Joe, this film is tasteless, no action, no romance and so far the dullest of the franchise. If you're not a fan of the books, this film would seem all too unnecessary.

Draco Malfoy joins the Death Eaters, Voldemort spread his life across 7 objects called Hocrux to keep him from dying, and Snape kills Dumbledore at the end. That one sentence is the only information you need if you want to skip this movie but plan to see the next installment. It will surely spare you 155 minutes of your life.

But the movie goes beyond all that. Half Blood Prince is a serious work worthy of respect. The creators made sure this one would be a timeless piece and not just another popcorn flick. Great directing made sure the cast played their roles very well and the cinematography is nothing short of excellent, not to mention the special effects.

With all the incidents that happened in previous films, the main characters have evolved appropriately; though I think Daniel Radcliffe should have played his character as a more distant and disturbed boy. On the other hand, personally, as the movie forwards, my interest for Draco Malfoy exceeds others, even Harry himself. A role well played by Tom Felton.

As for the plot, you would have to read the book to fully appreciate the film and I think that's the point of the movie. If you're not a fan, you'll have lots of questions, most if not all, only to be left unanswered if you do not touch the book. No one can fit so many details in one movie and still able make it look decent. That's why the final book will have two films! (other than the fact it's makes perfect business sense.)

This film was meant to be like it is: dark, uninteresting and perceptive. It’s a bridge of the events that is going to happen in the last installment of the franchise. Having said that, we can never neglect the fact that a movie needs to stand on its own, even with a promising continuation ahead of it. That gives me enough reason to give it an average


3.5 out of 5