Of course its Harry Potter back on my list which if you are keeping track this is the sixth movie in the eight movie saga meaning there are just two movies left to review from the whole franchise. Again the split between the reviews come between IMDb and the other two with a mediocre 7.6 out of 10 & whilst for the second movie in a row there is 2 points between me and 84% from Rotten Tomatoes. I will say the final two movies according to my scores has 1% between them but you can work out which two are left for yourself. This movie was released in 2009 and directed by David Yates who directed half of the Harry Potter movies. Starring the usual long list which includes Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, and Julie Walters. It was made on budget of $250m which is no small sum which when onto make $934.3m which is phenomenal number when you think about. I will get onto the plot now –
Following the previous fourth movie Lord Voldemort is tightening his grip on the wizarding world. His Death Eaters have kidnapped Garrick Ollivander and attacked the muggle world with some exciting action shots from London being attacked. He has also called on Draco for a secret mission within Hogwarts itself, his mother and Bellatrix called Severus Snape to form a pact to complete the mission should Draco fail. Snape agrees. Meanwhile Harry is taken on an adventure with Dumbledore to convince a Potions professor Horace Slughorn to come back to Hogwarts as a professor. Slughorn thinks he is a bit of a socialite and Harry would be a great find for his collection. There are ulterior motives for Albus to recruit Slughorn and its to get information out of him related to ‘him’. The school year begins with the plans and secret shenanigans in full affect. Harry has to use a torn and old book to support his potions classes which both he and Ron thought they were not allowed to continue with. The book used to be owned (according to the name on the inside cover) by the Half-Blood Prince. Whoever he was he was good at potions as the advice written over the text is better than following the actual text. Harry decides to keep it and follows many other items, suggestion’s and spells from the hand-written notes. Harry is warned over what happened with the diary from earlier movies but he ignores it and keeps going. I think this sets up the story for you without any spoilers.
The fact this is the sixth highest movie for me in the eight Harry Potter movies means that I did really enjoy the story. I agree with Daniel Radcliffe that his performance in this one was not his best but the story takes over for me. As I have said before I like Daniel but I am not convinced of his acting skills yet, Rupert was is a better performer in my eyes but nothing compared to Emma who has just flourished. This movie has one of the best stories in the franchise and the reveal of the Half-Blood Prince was a surprise although one that I had rarely for this series I had worked out. For Harry Potter that really is a change as these usually has me stumped. Once again I cannot resist the urge to say how well written these stories are. The twists and turns and clever dropping of clues throughout which may or may not help you detect where the story is going. This is why a children’s story is not just a hit with kids but adults as well. I was not convinced when first released and it took my time to be won over and won over I was. The books are great and the films do them justice which is rare but with the two going hand in hand I would recommend giving it a go but won’t force the issue.
Next up is a horror movie that really isn’t a horror movie. It has horrific things in it but I for one wouldn’t call it horror…
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