Warner Brothers Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (DVD)

Adolescent wizard-in-training Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for another year of schooling and learns more about the dark past of the boy who grew up to become Lord Voldemort in this, the sixth instalment of the film series that originated from the writings of author J.K. Rowling. There was a time when Hogwarts was thought of as a safe haven, but thanks to Voldemort's tightening grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, that simply isn't the case anymore. Suspecting that the castle may even harbour an outright threat, Harry finds his investigation into the matter sidelined by Dumbledore's attempts to prepare him for the monumental battle looming ever closer on the horizon. In order to discover the key to Voldemort's defences, Dumbledore enlists the aid of resourceful yet unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, who may have a clue as to their enemy's Achilles' heel. Meanwhile, teenage hormones cause the students at Hogwarts to lose focus on their true mission. As Harry and Dean Thomas clash for the affections of the lovely Ginny, Romilda Vane attempts to woo Ron away from Lavender Brown with some particularly tasty chocolates. Even Hermione isn't immune from the love bug, though she tries her hardest to suppress her growing jealousy and keep her emotions bottled up. But there is one student who remains completely aloof from the romance blossoming all around, and he intends to leave a dark impression on his classmates. With tragedy looming ever closer, it begins to appear as if peace will prove elusive in Hogwarts for some time to come.

As Lord Voldemort tightens his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven. Harry suspects perils may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defences and to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that "He Who Must Not Be Named" has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is "the Chosen One"--the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of magic from the first few books—it's dark, dangerous, and scary. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. It's in these intriguing scenes that the dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the previous movies' many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to uncover a memory about Voldemort's darkest weapon--the Horcrux. Despite the long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date. More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. -- Jordan Thompson

Director David Yates ramps up the tension as the series draws ever closer to the final battle in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. Harry's sixth and penultimate year at Hogwarts is his darkest and most troubling yet. Can he find a way to defeat Voldemort and save all he holds dear? ; ; Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle but Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defences and to this end Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague Professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile as teen hormones rage across the ramparts Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! That's not forgetting Hermione simmering with jealousy but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark albeit a dark one. Love is in the air but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. ; ; Play.com Review ; ; David Yates' adaptation of the sixth novel in J.K. Rowling's fantasy saga Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince explores Voldemort's dark past and the building romantic tensions within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Starring Daniel Radcliffe Emma Watson and Rupert Grint the film welcomes back familiar British stalwarts Alan Rickman (Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves) Helena Bonham Carter (Tim Burton's Corpse Bride) and Robbie Coltrane (Stormbreaker) amongst other seasoned thesps. If you thought Harry Potter And The Order of the Phoenix darkened young Potter's adolescence then you ain't seen nothing yet... ; ; Fans will be pleased to learn that director David Yates continues his fine work from Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix and has even signed on to direct the two-part finale Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows due for release in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Yates perfectly captures the troubled teen romance of J.K. Rowling's magical secondary school whilst laying down some particularly dark and foreboding vibes for the epic conclusion. Radcliffe and the gang give career best performances with Jim Broadbent (The Young Victoria) in magnificent form as the unwitting Professor Slughorn. Featuring the finest special effect seen in the series so far Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the most explosive emotional entry yet and we simply cannot wait for the next one!

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