Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Having watched the previous five films all within a span of two weeks, I must say that I love this series with a passion. i was ecstatic to see the new film in theaters with a massive crowd and I fully enjoyed myself for probably only the third time this summer (Up and Star Trek being the others).

Harry is in his sixth year at hogwarts and is still shocked about the events that transpired following the Death Eaters attack on the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts is still a dangerous place, although Dumbledore stands firm in his belief that they will be prepared for the coming war. He enlists harry to find out from an old colleague exactly how they can kill the Dark Lord Voldemort.

I can safely say this film successfully completes the maturation of the characters and serves as a great bridge to the final battle that awaits in the next two films (considering that deathly Hallows will be TWO films, not one). The first two films were definitely children's tales, closer to Scooby Doo than Lord of the Rings. Cuaron's Prisoner of Azkaban started to darken the films and both Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix were sort of trials for Potter and friends. Now these young wizards are ready to continue on as they approach adult years, and the maturation process is done so well here.

This film is first and foremost a character study, and a fantasy film second. Compared to the previous two films, there is little action or spectacle in terms of immediately "WOW" material, but the film is still strikingly beautiful to look at and the screenplay is still as humorous as ever. It's a great balance that most of the previous films had as well.

I'd say that I do miss the mystery of some of the older films. That's not to say that this film doesn't have any mystique about it. It's just that I sometimes miss the boyish adventurism of the first two films, and to a slightly lesser extent Azkaban. i still think this film is extremely magical and fun to watch, but it's because of the characters and not exactly the visual effects extravaganzas the last two were. Those expecting dragon duells and great one-on-one battles will be disappointed.

The acting is very good from the cast and the films continue to add on them without seeming forced. I'd say this Potter film is just behind Goblet of Fire as my favorite of the series, and it's certainly one of the best films I've seen this year so far.