Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009)
July 16, 2009 | Filed under Media
I had a wonderful time last night. In my black velvet cloak, my musical light up wand, and a lipstick lightning bolt scar, I like to think that I was utterly unembarrassed by the laughs and snickers that came my way at the cinema. It helped that Alex was in her Hermione outfit (complete with Time Turner!), and that I had attacked my brother and Jake with lipstick scars, so I wasn’t alone in my costumed glory. Dylan was perhaps embarrassed to be seen kissing a female Harry, and Michael thinks I’m shameless (though that might have something to do with where my hand was during the movie – i.e. Dylan’s crotch). I unfortunately forgot my camera, but I’m sure Alex will have photos up on Facebook soon-ish.
In any case, prepare yourself for a somewhat haphazard set of thoughts on the movie, probably with spoilers:
- Cormac McLaggen was super fucking hot! I never pictured him as being that attractive in the books – I always thought of him as simply being plain and somewhat solidly built. The actor is apparently only two months younger than me, so…dude, hello. Come to Melbourne. Now.
- Unlike most people, I actually loved the way that Lavendar Brown was depicted. She was just so over-the-top and ridiculous that it reminded me of actual high school relationships. That’s how teenage girls act in relationships. It was entirely true to life and reminded me of the way some of my friends acted when we were fifteen.
- Harry is apparently a hottie! I mean, I’ve always kind of adored Daniel Radcliffe – I can see now that he’s not handsome, but he’s just simply adorable and so awkward in interviews. He’s like a little boy, literally (seriously, how short is he, especially when you see him next to either Ginny or that chick in the opening scene?).
- I’m really disappointed that they didn’t show the Order members as much as they should have. The fight at Hogwarts between Order members and the Death Eaters would have been a fully epic battle scene – and would perhaps have added an extra “oomph” to the movie which actually lacked action. While the Inferi scene was creepy, it wasn’t nearly long enough to be an actual fight-action scene. The movie could have done away with one relationship scene, and added an action scene.
- I am absolutely astounded by how grown up the main three characters are. Emma is an absolutely beautiful young lady, Rupert is surprisingly built, and Daniel is…well, still really short, but his jawline is much more defined now. I’m thinking back to when Philosopher’s Stone came out, and they were children then. They were children! They’re adults now! I feel so old, having watched them grow up.
- Harry’s behaviour during the Felix Felicis scene was simply hilarious. His tone, his devil-may-care attitude, his cockiness, the whole package. Daniel’s not a bad actor – I doubted him after the crying scene in Prisoner of Azkaban, but he was good in this scene. Very fun.
- OMG the costuming. They seem to have dispensed with robes altogether and opted for Muggle clothing 24/7, but I think they did it really well – the characters were dressed the way I’ve always imagined they would if they had a chance to choose for themselves. Draco’s costuming in particular was particularly bitching. The perfectly tailored black suit, the waiscoat, the briefcase…Tom Felton has gone from a cute-faced in Philosopher’s Stone to an awkward teenager in Prisoner of Azkaban to a full-fledged hot man in Half Blood Prince.
- …I cried. I didn’t actually cry as much as I have in previous films, but when Dumbledore died? Yeah, I was tearing up and sniffling. The most tear-jerking part wasn’t actually the death itself, but the tribute afterwards, when everyone raised their wands for a moment of silence. That just set me off like you wouldn’t believe, I was a teary wreck.
On the whole, while I really enjoyed the movie in the viewing, once I actually got out of the cinema, I was attacked by thoughts of “hang on, what about…?” They missed out so much vital information – how on earth are they going to show important plot points such as the entire memories-of-Tom-Riddle backstory? If Harry hasn’t seen the memory of Hepzibah Smith’s house-elf, how will he know that Ravenclaw’s diadem is a Horcrux, and how will he remember that he’s seen it before in the Room of Requirement? How will he know that Nagini is a Horcrux if Dumbledore didn’t share his suspicions with him?
At least the next book will be made into two movies – it’ll give them a chance to catch up on important details like that. They really should have done something similar with this movie – or at least make it longer. Two hours of Harry simply isn’t long enough to satisfy me until the next one comes out!
8 Responses to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009)
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Threesome with Cormac and Draco. Yes please!
Alex on July 16, 2009 #
Mmm, Cormac. *drools profusely* He can ride my broomstick any day…
Xuan on July 16, 2009 #
I’m going to cry now… because it’s so unfair that I need to wait another week.
To me Cormac was just plain annoying, I never really stopped to think what he’d look like.
Wanna see hot Draco now :B
Vera on July 16, 2009 #
I think DadRad is about 5’3. I never would have guessed he was so short.
I agree, it’s so weird seeing them as young adults now. I keep coming across pictures of them from the first film, and I can’t even believe it.
I also thought the costuming was great. I especially loved how Draco and Harry were dressed. Oh, and Bellatrix was perfect too.
I cried too! I was NOT expecting to, because although I’m a serial movie crier I never, ever, ever cry at HP movies, but Dumbledore’s death totally got to me. It was awful. :( I also didn’t cry right when he died – I started when Harry did. :( :( :(
I didn’t really mind the missing information, because I didn’t remember that is WAS missing. o_o Now that you’ve pointed out specifically what they missed, I remember, but I forgot almost everything about the book so I really enjoyed it.
Clem on July 17, 2009 #
Okay, so WTF was up with the Weasley’s HOUSE LIGHTING ON FIRE? What was that about?!? How are they going to resolve that, and what sort of purpose did that even serve?
Overall, I really liked the movie. Harry was HILARIOUS after he took the Felix Felicis.
I was sad that they left out the astronomy tower battle and Dumbledore’s funeral. I couldn’t believe they left out the funeral! After Harry goes back into Dumbledore’s office and McGonnagal approaches him, Dumbledore’s wand is sitting on his desk, not in his coffin! Maybe that scene was supposed to be before the funeral? Not sure, but annoying. I’m still holding out hope that they might do the funeral as the beginning of the 7th movie.
I really liked your recap!
Meggan on July 17, 2009 #
I LOVED Tom Felton’s costumes as Draco, I thought they really really suited the character. I also loved every moment Bellatrix Lestrange was on screen – I’ve never cared for her in the books (she killed Sirius!!) but I thought Helena Bonham Carter was positively electrifying as Bellatrix.
I wish Steve Kloves gave Ron even ONE line in the closing scene. :(
Manda on July 17, 2009 #
I just saw the film. Here are my opinions:
1) Not enough action, a battle scene would have been great.
2) Too much Ginny, not enough concerning the Half-Blood Prince.
3) Weasley’s house on fire – WTF?
4) Emma Watson looked great.
5) Would have liked to have seen Dumbledore’s funeral.
6) I felt the Hermione crying to Harry about liking Ron scene was out of place.
7) I liked the portrayal of Lavender.
8) Draco looked odd, maybe it is the hairdo.
I liked the film, but I am disappointed too. I felt there were missed opportunities. I liked it better than Goblet of Fire, though.
Sarah on July 18, 2009 #
umm… you do know that the first movie is called “Sorcerer’s Stone” right? and, omfg yes, cormac… tasty. so much fine bootay in that movie… but needed to go along more with the book to satisfy me. and, felix felicis. HILARIOUS! just… i couldnt stop laughing.
Reply: You do realise that the actual title is Philosopher’s Stone and that it was merely retitled for American audiences by marketing executives who thought that they wouldn’t be intelligent enough to understand the concept of philosophy? Rowling’s original (and correct) title is Philosopher’s Stone. Sorcerer’s Stone is merely a perversion.
Peyton on July 28, 2009 #