Welcome Back, ‘Potter’
Yesterday was a scorcher here in SoCal and I spent much of the afternoon running around town taking care of a few errands. It was time for my beautiful 2009 VW Tiguan, which I named Wülfgang Jürgen-Klaüs, to have its annual check-up (almost 1 year to the day that I brought my baby home from the dealership) so I spent sometime waiting for my oil change … then I had to run to the bank, the drug store and drop off a thank you gift for some dear friends of mine. I have been DYING to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince so I made damn sure to see the flick last night:
I made sure to see it in IMAX in 3D and TOTALLY loved it!! While purists are pissed that many things in the book were left out of the movie, I absolutely commend the filmmakers for continuing to bring the books to life in the best way they can. The movies will never do the books justice. Never. Ever. Never. Movies cannot be 8 hours long so things have to be left out. I honestly believe the Harry Potter movies just keep getting better. It’s amazing how much the cute little kids have grown into young adults. Their acting performances have gotten better with age as well. Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy was a revelation … his performance was excellent. I loved the blue tint quality that the movie had over all … it felt a lot like a black & while film. I really did love this big screen adapation … I want to see it again. The opening portion in IMAX 3D was fun … I might have to see it again ;)
Also, it’s time for me to re-read the series. When my reading pile gets a little smaller, I’m planning on re-reading all of the Harry Potter books straight thru. I need to be ready for the final, 2-part film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I think the only way to do the final book justice is over 2 movies … perhaps, at last, HP purisists will be satisfied.
Tonight, I’m planning on hanging out with my friend Tony … not sure what we’re gonna be doing but I haven’t seen him in ages. It’ll be good to hang out again :)
Tags: 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', Wülfgang Jürgen-Klaüs
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July 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I’m not a purist, and I thought that movie was lacking a lot of detail that could have been there.
If you’re in the audience and have never read a Harry Potter book, do you know who or what the Half-Blood Prince is? Yes, we hear Snape say “I’m the Half-Blood Prince” but what does that mean? What makes him “half-blood?” Why is he a prince?
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the film as a film and will definitely be seeing it many times, but as for an adaptation, it was somewhat disappointing to me.
Back off haters! :P
J
July 21st, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Yay! I’m glad you liked it. I too keep my expectations low and realize the movies will never be as great as the books.
I loved watching it in IMAX and recommend it to everyone who can see it that way. Going dressed up is even better! :)
As a member of the NYC Harry Potter meet-up group, The Group That Shall Not Be Named, we all got dressed up as the characters and walked around Times Sq taking photos and confusing tourists. So much fun. We’re such nerds!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:24 pm
The movie was amazing. I don’t even care that it was changed a bit from the book, they kept the main key points there! I think this was the best adaptation they could have done! Loved it!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I loved it! I think the movies are getting better. These actors have truly brought this characters to life for me. Tom Felton was fabulous as Draco Malfoy and his portrayal definitely expanded on the books. I have hated Draco Malfoy through all of the books (even in the last when amends were made), but I found myself understanding and supporting this character. Can’t wait to see more in the last two films!
Also, I think these films are made with the understanding that those seeing it have read the books. Hence, the “Half-Blood Prince” reference does not need to be explained. There is so much material and only so much time in a film.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I love your views Trent, I am of the same mind! You have to take the books and the movies as two different entities. I LOVE the books, and I LOVE the movies. Of course they leave out things I’d have loved to see, but I am just SO glad they have continued with the movies!!! Honestly, most book to movie movies do not continue past the first. Lemony Snicket? anyone?
HP is simply magic in any form! :)
July 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I agree that the movie was fantastic but I do have to say that they left out A LOT of great moments from that book. The least they can do is stay true to the ending. I was so surprised to see that it just ended that way that I turned to my friends and said “wasn’t there a battle in the end of this book?” I felt like the movie didn’t amp me or scare me enough to want to watch the last movies although I will. Lacking in that dept but loving Tom Felton and Rupert Grint for life!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
i watched it last night…and i gotta say, i wasnt a huge fan. i know its near impossible to follow the book, but they left a lot out, important details…and they changed/added things that didnt need to be done. but now you can tell alot will be changed in the next movie cause of all the detail that was left out here.
BUT it did get some laughs from me, like when her took the luck potion. and the effects in the movie were great. i miss fred & george though :( lol.
and im soooo glad they tamed hemiones hair!
July 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I agree with *John…if you haven’t read the books, the whole “half-blood prince” storyline is completely lost. when snape announced it was him and then nothing else, all i could think was “That’s it?!?! That’s all you get?!?!?”
don’t get me wrong. i was entertained. but, not looking forward to taking my best friend to see it in IMAX when he returns from abroad. he hasn’t read the books. i’m going to have lots of explaining to do…in the theater. he’s a smart cookie…but he will be completely lost.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I’m so glad you loved the movie!! I’m sick of hearing people complain that they left out things or changed something. I like to think of the movies as a supplement to the books, and if a non-reader doesn’t understand something about the movie, maybe they should just suck it up and read the book. I thought this movie was the best so far, and from reading interviews by the filmmakers, I can understand why they changed/left out some things.
July 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Personally I Liked the movie (did not LOVE it). I didn’t like some of the things they added to the movie that were not in the book (the part at the burrow over christmas break?).
Also, they have yet to introduce Bill and fleur as a couple so I assume they will not have the wedding in the next movies…I feel like that part is crucial in the beginning of the book. The ministry takes over, he gets information about the hallows, etc.
Ah well I am excited for the movie nonetheless and really did like the movie. I guess any Harry Potter fan just takes what they can get now that the books are all over and done with =/
July 21st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
For those who haven’t read the books, I can imagine that they may be confused at certain points in the movie… but overall I thought it was great, and a very nice light touch before all hell breaks loose in the next two films.
And happy 1st birthday, Wulfgang! :-)
July 21st, 2009 at 12:54 pm
@christine, ive heard that for deathly hallows, they are replacing bill and fleurs wedding and their other scenes with lupin and tonks! thats just what i heard though, couldn’t tell you if it is totally true! as for the film, i loved it, very funny and good acting! although ginnys acting was seriously cringe worthy! but i think that added burrow scene was totally unnecessary, i mean the time that scene used up could have been used for dumbledores funeral or the big battle no??
July 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I enjoyed the movie and thought it was beautiful but I agree with John. Not much mentioning of Snape as the HBP as well as changing the way Harry witnesses Dumbledore’s death was odd and annoying. They also made it more about the love story of Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry. I have spoken to people who never read the books and they were disappointed in it. You’re right though; the books cannot be surpassed by the movies. I’m excited about DH though and am anxiously ready to see this all wrap up.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Yay Trent! This is why I love you so! I thought this was the best movie of the 6 so far, and agree that they keep getting better. I also started re-reading the series. I intended to finish it (or at least read through HBP) before this movie, but I am in the middle of GoF…just too buy to read as much as I would like to! It’s nice to go back to the beginning after all this time and remember the little things from the books that were not in the movies.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I am in LOVE with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I think the movie turned out FANTASTIC. I went to the midnight premier last week, and because my and my friend Quianna loved it so much we went to the 315am show as well. We made our own t shirts and had WAY too much fun.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
My friend was complaining about the exclusion of many things too, but I agree with you. The movies do an absolutely superb job of including exactly what they need to, so that the movie franchise can hold it’s own. I have friends who have never read the books and they know exactly what is going on, which is more than a lots of movies based on books can say.
The books will always be my favourite but I have never ever been disappointed by the HP movies. They are brilliant films and stories in their own right. And hey, there’s not much of the Harry Potter saga left so we shouldn’t complain about the installments that we have left to look forward to!
July 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I agree, Tom Felton was quite good in the film. I understand things have to be edited out but there were many scenes that were added to the movie that wasn’t in the book and it confused me a lot. i.e. the burning of the Burrow. And I cannot believe they left out the whole battle at the end. However, the movie was really good. A lot better than the 5th one thankfully. Except the Ginny/Harry kiss was a bit anticlimatic. :(
July 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I saw the movie last night too and I was so excited about the scenes between Harry and Ginny that I didn’t have much of a chance to miss anything else! <3 And I’m going to definitely agree with Meghan–I’m sure they are operating under the assumption that most people will have read the books to fill in whatever gaps the condensing might necessarily create.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:25 pm
PS I’ve been waiting for your review on this since it came out, I’m glad you gave it a good one :)
July 21st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I saw the movie last week and liked it. I haven’t re-read the book since last summer so I’m sure once I get to reading it again I’ll find things I wish they had kept in. I was initially surprised and annoyed by the almost underwhelming ending, and then as the scene continued to unfold I realized they really didn’t have the time to do the funeral justice and that having a more low-key ending almost seemed a fitting way to see Dumbledore die. That really made it the focal point of those final moments. I wasn’t a fan of the end where everyone pointed their wands at the sky though…that was odd. Especially when you consider that those kids were in their dorms, so how did they know to come outside so quickly (but not fast enough to fight?).
July 21st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Yes, I’ve been waiting for your review as well, Trent. To be honest, I was disappointed. A lot. I know you can’t put every single detail from the book into a movie but they could have done a lot better. I felt like the movie was way too funny for its own good. The movie was supposed to be dark and sinister but 90% of the movie was funny when it wasn’t supposed to be. They’re funny parts in the book but not as much as the film portrayed. I thought the movie was pretty good until the ending. It lacked so much action! It was so annoying. The Death Eaters were supposed to come in with a bang and they barely even did such a thing. They just popped in, smashed a few things, and then just left. Dumbledore’s death was horrible; I almost laughed when you’re not supposed to. There was no emotion attached whatsoever. They drug out the film so much and when it came to the action it just lasted 5 minutes and the film ended… I wanted a huge battle at Hogwarts like the book. I don’t think that’s asking for the world, is it? Also, don’t the Death Eaters have to go back inside the vanishing cabinet in order to get out of Hogwarts since the spells were still intact? Or was it because Dumbledore set the spells himself and once he died that left the grounds completely? I don’t remember but I think it’s something like that. Oh, and I wish some of the other characters were in it more. It was kind of just like, “Hey, remember me? Well, I’ve been in this movie for two minutes now, time for me to go!” IDK
July 21st, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I loved it, and there were parts that completely disappointed me. I was put off by the “commerical” use of the teen angst and romance. I don’t recall so much overt brooding by Hermione for Ron; subtle stuff, sure, but it just forced, designed to draw in the audience. I also found a lack of magic in the film, and sorely missed the battle at the end. I feel that was a critical element and the ending was a bit flat.
I knew full well going in that many details would be left out, but LOTR ran closer to 3 hours, and audiences stayed. This could have been stretched out another 15 – 30 minutes to end it properly.
With that said, I’ll see it again!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Did anyone else notice after the kiss between Harry and Ginny how his shirt was all unbuttoned and wierd… I thought it was a subtle reference to something that may have been going on behind closed doors lol ;)
July 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
It was good just not great. I love seeing it come to life but I guess it is impossible to match the book. Maybe that is my problem. Don’t get me wrong thou, I still really enjoyed it!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
i loved this book and movie!! there’s a reason a lot of things were kept b/c most of it wasn’t that important to move the story along…. in the movie sense. HBP was my fave book out of the series and the best of the movies. i saw twice on opening day. my friend is a die hard HP fan and she loved the movie, she even said the same thing i did that all the changes in the movie were made to move the movies story along. my fave part of the movie was the Harry and Ginny kiss!!
July 21st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I completely agree with Chase. I was sitting in the theater for the midnight show dying of excitement, only to be let down. I understand they can’t put everything from the book in the movie…but adding a pointless scene where the burrow is attacked and catches on fire?! Get real! Doing that basically wipes out the first 1/4 of Book 7, which they’re making into two movies?!?! I have been a diehard fan for 10 years and had just reread it right before I saw it, which obvs shows glaring ommisions. My friend in the theater whispered “Oh it’s about to get so good” when the Death Eaters infiltrated Hogwarts, as we were expecting the mega battle to take place that was written in the book. Instead, Harry stands there and let’s Snape walk right by and watches as they kill Dumberldore? Harry Potter, the character from the book, would NEVER EVER have just stood around, be silenced, and watched his mentor be killed. Which is why in the book, he was in a Body Bind to prevent him from doing so. The glaring omission of a funeral for Dumbeldore is just beyond to me. That scene was SO moving in the book, and to just have Fawkes flying away at the end is just stupid. People I know who haven’t gotten to Book 6 yet are convinced Dumbeldore is not even dead. Though with the liberty they seem to be taking with these movies, perhaps they’ll be rewriting it so in the film he is alive. Just so disappointing….
July 21st, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Yay!!!! I am so happy that you finally post your review of this movie and that it was a positive one! This book was my fave in the series so I was excited to see that movie did a great job of adapting the book onto screen. Although I am a big Harry Potter fanatic, I understand how the books’ storyline must be altered into a sensible movie.
My sister, who knows nothing of HP, saw the movie with me and enjoyed it too. She understood everything and only had one or two questions.
Alan Rickman stole every scene he was in. I am happy that Snape finally gets some major time in the HP movies!
July 21st, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I’ve always been a fan of the movies and allowed the major editing but after seeing this last night I felt cheated. I’d been really looking forward to it and key scenes that should have made it ‘Wow’ didn’t happen! The battle at Hogwarts and Dumbledore’s funeral being the two glaring omissions (like they didn’t have the budget for it or something?!). I just feel they didn’t tackle it properly. The relationship between Harry & Dumbledore was really meant to grow and when he dies you’re meant to feel horrible for Harry (which I didn’t). Probably shouldn’t have re-read the book before the movie…
July 21st, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Mr. Green Is Good let out audible *GASP* when Severus revealed he was the Half Blood Prince. Alan Rickman is such a brilliant actor. I couldn’t take my eyes off him in any scene he was in.
Tom Felton was really good. About time he got some juicy bits.
July 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I’m not a purist, I completely understand that movies are not books, but I was a little disapointed :( To me, HBP is the most emotional book yet (I cried like a baby when Dumbledore died) but I didn’t feel an ounce of emotion watching the scene. And no funeral?! WTH?! I’m at a complete loss as to why the Burrow on Fire scene was added? And they didn’t really explain about the Horcruxes, what they are- anything! As far as looks go, I think the film was BEAUTIFUL. There were funny parts, acting was pretty good, I was just underwhelmed is all. Hopefully the last two movies will have all these things I just complained about added into them :)
July 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
spoiler ahead:
you cant blame us. i was dissapointed that the very important parts were ommitted. parts that were relevant in order for the non readers to understand:
1.why is snape the half blood prince? what is snape’s role in lily evan’s life?
2.voldemort’s beginnings, his childhood
3.the gaunts.. they were never shown. on the book it was very, very sad how dumbledore showed harry the gaunts. how merope fell madly in love with tom riddle sr
4. voldie’s first kill=first horcrux..
now this things are important too! esp. on the last book. how he got the hufflepuff cup, the gaunt ring…
since dumbledore is dead, how will harry found out about it right? if he will just look at the memory w/o someone telling him a story about it, how will he understand?
plus the non readers, ive heard how they question,
why is he called half blood prince?
July 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
and most of the non reader viewers of hp wont read it immediately,since they always say they are too lazy to read it.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I agree…an extra 10 or 15 minutes with an added battle scene would have made it better. Or, sigh, 10 or 15 more minutes of Snape…Alan Rickman rocks!
July 21st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I agree that a lot of very pertinent info was left out. However, I went and saw it a second time and felt much better about it. Not nearly as disappointed as when I saw it the first time at midnight (a little tipsy, I might add! :)
My suggestion is to go see it again and then see how you feel. The second viewing really cleared things up and helped me think a little more of the film.
Yay Potter!!!
July 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I’m not sure how I feel about the last movie being two parts. When I finished reading The Deathly Hallows, I thought “Finally, here’s a book they can do justice to in a movie!” It felt like the first half dragged on and on with them hiding in the woods and nothing happening, and then the ending was over so quickly. I was really disappointed in it, so I’m not sure how two movies will be a good thing. I suppose a BILLION dollars a film is hard to re$i$t.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:06 am
@ Kristy, i was thinking the same – about it being 2 movies – and the only thing i can think of..was maybe they werent going to cut so much out…but after seeing the half blood prince…i have a feeling they had a lot of rewriting to do, to fit some things in.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 am
@ Nicole, maybe they’ll fill in some of the gaps they left out in this movie over the course of the next two. I suppose it doesn’t really matter in which film all the backstories occur. I’m always curious how people who haven’t read the books feel like after watching the movies. I think I’d be very confused if I wasn’t able to fill in all the missing bits from the books.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:11 am
@ Justin… that was my biggest beef with the movie too. Harry, in book OR movie, would never just stand by and watch.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:03 am
I’m glad you enjoyed it Trent, cos I did too! I loved the way they filmed, the director did a fantastic job.
And I think they left out the battle scene at the end to make the Battle of Hogwarts in the final movie more epic.
Also, they added in the Burning of the Burrow to show how the Death Eaters torment their victims, and for Harry to experience it first hand. All a bit confusing, but I hope they wrap things up neatly in the end. All in all, I loved it!
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:13 am
I totally love it too!
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 am
I’m not one that feels the movies should exactly mirror the books, but the movies are starting to feel like they rely way too heavily on the viewer having read the book and entering the theater knowing lots of backstory. I felt there were some changes that would have actually better illustrated some plot points, had those points been included in the movie at all. Especially with Snape, Harry, and Dumbledore at the end, I think that could have worked out so well had they just explained a little more.
I think the cast is AMAZING, the kids have matured into wonderful actors, and it was visually stunning, but I am disappointed with the story.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:41 am
I agree with what most have said…they totally lost me at the burning of the burrow. That ENTIRE scene was totally pointless. They could’ve added some detail they left out instead…why not Harrys bday party? We get that the death eaters hurt people…we’ve seen that. We didn’t need them to burn down the burrow (which totally screws up the first part of the next movie) to prove it. Also, the ending was so lame. Where was the battle? So they just come in, break some cups and leave? LAME.
Turning the 7th books into two movies is so beyond me. There’s no good reason for that. If they can fit the 5th book into one movie they can fit the seventh book in one movie. Trying to squeeze every last cent out of this franchise that they can. Greedy bastards.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
Trent, you must reread all the books! It is something I do every summer, and it’s amazing that I still pick out subtle hints and plot points that I had missed before from the earlier books that are essential in the final books.
The movie was good, and for a non reader (like my husband) it was entertaining and well done. A realist, I realize that the movie is going to be different, and go in with an open mind. I enjoyed the movie and think it is the best yet, but was disappointed with:
* the lack of memories: we needed to see the Gaunts and get a little more feel for young Tom Riddle
* the burrow scene: makes no sense and changes the course of Deathly Hallows…if there is no Bill and Fleur there is no Shell Cottage. Readers know what I mean.
* the fact that Harry just stood around while Dumbeldore died. There was a reason he was in the full body bind curse. Harry would never just stand there.
* NO FUNERAL: enough said
* did not explain the horcruxes enough, nor Dumbeldore’s desire for Harry to search for them when he is no longer able to do so.
However, it was enjoyable and I do plan on going to see it again (and I expect it in my Christmas stocking this year!!!) The acting/casting is spot on. A better cast could not have been assembled.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:33 am
@ Julie – there still could be the cottage – we could just assume everything happened ya know?
i mean for all we know, they could rebuild the burrow right?
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
I thought that the changes made in the movie was necessary for the flow of the movie. We all know we can never fit in everything from the books into a movie, and of coz, I still feel that the books are way better. But considering the circumstances, I thought they did an awesome job this time around. I agree, the movies keep getting better and this is by far the best out of the lot! I throughly enjoyed watching it. I went in with really low expectations and was impressed!
I also like how humor was injected throughout the whole movie. I liked it. I didn’t think that there were too many funny scenes in there. I thought it was good, because there were alot of dark scenes too. The actors have really improved too!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
I can’t believe how much I disliked it. It felt like an episode that was desperately needing a next day continuation. I was so disappointed! It didn’t stir anything inside me like the movies before it had. I am not re-reading The Half-Blood Prince to make me feel better =(
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
While it was not a horrible movie, I’d have loved to see more focus on the half-blood prince because well, that was supposed to have been the focus. And I’m with you on reading the last book before watching the last two movies. But I’ll read it right before watching the first. After all, a Harry Potter book is something you can read in one night. You can’t put it down. ;D
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I loved the movie and I loved (finally) reading your review but I have to ask…Welcome Back Potter? Did you steal that from the cover of the Entertainment magazine?
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Its a good movie…a well made movie in all sense but how could they possibly leave out Harry-Ginny’s FULL lovestory, the removal of the minister and the fight b/w the order & the death eaters?! Okay leave out the everything but why did they make the HG lovestory soo bleak =(
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Ah I think I need to watch the other movies, before seeing this one, but i have heard that some people love it while others hate it.
Anywho; I found these videos, and its so cute. This girl is a true fan girl XD
here are different interviews:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ_4j68l7Jo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdokuga.com%2Fcomponent%2Ffireboard%2F%3Ffunc%3Dview%26catid%3D10%26id%3D24673&feature=player_embedded
‘Ron’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ABKwflFZ0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdokuga.com%2Fcomponent%2Ffireboard%2F%3Ffunc%3Dview%26catid%3D10%26id%3D24673&feature=player_embedded
Emma Watson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dODRxiDAKKI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fdokuga.com%2Fcomponent%2Ffireboard%2F%3Ffunc%3Dview%26catid%3D10%26id%3D24673&feature=player_embedded
July 24th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I saw the movie for the second time just yesterday during a very nasty beach day (why does it have to rain on vacation?!) Anyway, after seeing it at midnight for the opening and now a week later I have to say that I absolutely LOVE IT… While I am a huge fan of the books and I completely understand where the purists are coming from, it really would just be too long to fit everything from the book into the movie. I also know quite a few HP fans who rush out to see the movies but who have never read the books (I know, I’m trying to get them to!) and they tell me that they loved this movie as well. I guess if you look at it from their perspective, everything that was added into this movie that was not in the book, sets up the remaining movie(s) nicely. And really after seeing it for the second time, and not trying to remember the book as I was watching, I have to agree. Going into the 7th book I was as confused as everyone else about the whole Horcrux thing and how exactly were they going to find 7, but the whole part with Dumbledore and Harry and how dark magic leaves traces was just brilliant. And even the Burrow burning down was smart in that it solidified the whole Harry/Ginny story well before they even kissed. Because much of book 6 is spent seeing him realize he has feelings for her and you never really see it from her perspective either! It comes out here on IMAX 3D next week… can’t wait!!!