Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

It’s escapism unparalleled in entertainment today, and one that millions of fans have anxiously waited to enjoy. The sixth installment in the “Harry Potter” franchise, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” is every bit as captivating and spellbinding as its predecessors; the only difference is that there’s a feel of impending resolution, and one that may not be as innocent and joyful as the young Harry we met eight years ago.

While it may have started that way, “Harry Potter” isn’t a kid’s game anymore. As Harry and his friends enter their sixth year at Hogwarts, there’s danger looming. Security at the school has been beefed up to fend off deatheaters, and the battle between good and evil, or Harry and Voldemort, is inching closer and closer to a final showdown. But not in “Half-Blood Prince,” instead Harry, and his nefarious counterpart, Draco Malfoy, realize their destinies, and partisan lines begin to resonate clearer than ever.

But the young actors step into their own, as Hermoine, Ron, and Harry deal with love, trust, heartbreak, and loss. This “Potter” film is no different in that it delivers humor, effects, action, and wizardry, all driven by smart creative narrative. For readers, the excitement lies in seeing the book's translation into film, and for newcomers, it’s all about the mystery and suspense that leads to the end.

For die-hard fans, though, any disappointment will come in the form of omissions and hastiness. Escaped felon Fenir Greyback gets a backstory one page deep — a wanted sign.

It’s hard to nitpick, though, when the ride is so fully entertaining. “Half-Blood Prince” is both visually stunning and deeply compelling. Leaving young Harry behind, Daniel Radcliffe carries the protagonist into manhood, his destiny, and ready for the franchise's two-part finale.

Written by: Ted Simmons

Reviewers Rating: 8.5
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