Fan Reviews (SPOILERS!!!)

Amanda's Review

     I hardly know where to begin... I had the whole drive home from the theater to think about what I would say in this review and still I have absolutely no idea where to start. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was.... okay. I think that pretty much sums it up. That's the first word that comes to mind. I definately agree with Daniel Radcliffe when he said he liked the fifth (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) better than the latest installment of the Harry Potter series. And this is saying a lot because I HATED the fifth book. The sixth book was not my favorite, but I still liked it alright. So maybe I just had higher expectations for this film, but something isn't letting me love this movie. I'll just continue writing and see what I come up with.

     Let's get started with the acting... Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were FANTASTIC. Rupert completely blew me away with his natural abilities in comedy and he kept the audience laughing the whole time. It's been forever since they've had Quidditch and I'm so glad they kept it in this one. Rupert and a broomstick are a match made in heaven. Emma Watson was right that this would be the most difficult time for Hermione and she did a wonderful job of making me feel it. There was a point in the film when I teared up for Hermione because I just felt so bad for her and her situation with Ron. (I'm a HUGE Ron/Hermione fan; Can you tell?) This movie will make Ron and Hermione fans SOOOOO VERRRY HAPPY. They make it clear that Hermione and Ron are meant to be. I just loved the scene when Harry holds Hermione as she cries over Ron (nearly broke my heart). There's just so much love in this movie between Ron and Hermione; it's just wonderful!

     On the other hand... the Harry and Ginny scenes made me want to throw up. I don't know what they were thinking in ANY of these scenes. Let me just say I ship Harry and Ginny as well, but I was DISGUSTED with every romantic scene between them. Bonnie Wright and Daniel Radcliffe ABSOLUTELY DID NOT have any chemistry whatsoever (it really makes you appreciate the chemistry between Rupert and Emma). All these scenes were pointless and I'm pretty sure made the audience feel sick judging by some fans reactions (everyone was looking away). Dan did not do so well in this film. I think he took a step down from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. My friends who were with me were complaining about the Harry scenes when he was lucky and they said it was too out of character. First of all, I agree with their statement, but at the same time... how else could they have done it? Seriosuly think about this for a while... how do you show luck in someone? Dan's scenes with Rupert were great, but overall he wasn't convincing (even when Dumbledore dies).

     Let's move on to Dumbledore then... The scenes between Harry and Dumbledore were decent (with the exception of the beginning; the subway scene was completely stupid). The cave scene I will say nothing about other than it was utterly AMAZING. His death was not. I expected myself to cry, but nothing.... I cried when Sirus died and I didn't even like Sirus that much! However I must say the scene when everyone raises their wand was such a BEAUTIFUL scene. The school standing against evil. It really got across what Dumbledore says that there will always be light. OH BEFORE I FORGET... the very beginning when Harry is at the ministry with Dumbledore and Dan looks as if he is going to break down and cry (this was a very good scene).

     There are more good things... such as Luna (Evanna was fabulous) and the Katie Bell scene. The Katie Bell scene was... was so shocking and perfectly done. Tom Felton was AMAZING as Draco; every scene with Draco was a pleasure and Tom did a great job. The end when he faces Dumbledore is probably my favorite non-Ron and Hermione scene in the film. Jessie Cave as Lavender was wonderful; she was SOOO ANNOYING, but that's a good thing because she was annoying in the book and she just did a great job. Tom Riddle scenes were amazing; loved all of them.

     But then there are some bad things... I think it's worse when they include parts of the book and change the way it actually was. For example, it was Tonks who found Harry on the train, NOT Luna (this really bugged me). Ginny DID NOT go with Harry to the room of requirement to hide the book. Harry and Ginny did not kiss with no one around. Then they also add scenes... the Burrow gets attacked... the only good part was Mrs. Weasley's face when the Burrow was on fire. The left out a very important scene and it's the memory of the Guant house (I feel like this is key to understanding Voldemort's past). The ending was so... disappointing. They didn't get across the united front of the trio.

     People who have never read the book will not understand anything in the seventh and eighth film. They spent too much time developing bad scenes between Harry and Ginny when they could have given the audience more information. I mean afterall this is what Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is all about! It's purpose is to explain Horocruxes and Voldemort's past and how Harry is going to defeat him in the end, but it failed to do so. I've read this book so many times, but to someone who hasn't read the books... it's just not enough information. They didn't prepare the audience for the finale which is a huge mistake.

     I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. It was entertaining and a decent movie, however, hardcore fans (that have read the books over and over again) won't be so easy on it. Let's just hope they get it together for the next Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Thanks for reading,
Amanda @ HarryPotterTrio.com


Please feel free to let us know what you think!