Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The sixth installment of J. K. Rowling's magical tale of witches and wizards was released in theaters this week to an overall positive reception. However, many fans of the novels on which the films are based, including this writer, feel a bit dissatisfied.

The actors, mainly Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), have certainly matured and continue to accurately bring to life the characters Rowling describes in the books. Alan Rickman also gives a spot on performance as Professor Severus Snape, the brooding teacher that despises Harry, who returns the feeling whole-heartedly. Even Michael Gambon, who took over the role of Albus Dumbledore when Richard Harris passed away after the filming of the second movie, finally captured the essence of the benevolent headmaster, as his mannerisms and overall persona were way too harsh for Dumbledore's gentle soul in previous films. Also worth mentioning is newcomer Jim Broadbent, as Professor Horace Slughorn, who provides much of the comic relief during the two-and-a-half hour movie.

While the acting is good, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" does deliver on the suspense and emotion at the movie's climax, but fails to leave out several important aspects of the book. Granted, it is clear that not everything in the novels can be included in the films, but certain things should just not be left out. What I am most disappointed in is the lack of emphasis on the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore. In the book, their relationship evolved much more, as they were no longer student and mentor, but equals, and Dumbledore greatly depended on Harry in the final scenes. This is missing in the movie, which is a shame as I feel that these are the most beautiful parts of the novel.

Too much emphasis is put on Harry, Ron, and Hermione's love interests and troubles, which certainly contributed to other scenes being left out. I understand that this is essential to character development, but we get it ? they're teenagers with raging hormones. Let's get on to the important stuff.

Unfortunately, some of the significant scenes of the book that most "Potter" fans will expect to see in the film didn't make the cut. The movie is certainly worth seeing, whether you read the books or not, but don't go expecting to receive the same sensation you felt after you finished the sixth novel.