Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Yes, I was one of the many who ventured out into the dark world at midnight to see it. I will keep this review spoiler free, if you want me to elaborate let me know and I will happily make a spoiler rich edition, lol.

First however I would like to express my deepest disappointments to the other midnight showing viewers. Part of the reason I was looking forward to going at this time was to see all the super fans dressed up and acting stupid. DH and I enjoy laughing at them. There was a sad, sad, showing of them last night however. I saw a few scarfs, a few t-shirts, and two girls with orange dyed mops on their heads. That was it. No wizard robes, no one with a broom, not even a witches hat in sight. It made the hour we sat in the theater waiting for the movie to start rather boring.

Second, I always try to keep movies and books separate. I try to think of them as two different ways to tell the same story, this way I can still enjoy the movie even after they butcher the book. I don't always succeed at that (read: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy where I cant even watch part of the movie without getting angry) but I do always try. That said this is tied as my favorite book of the 7 so it was a bit harder to think that way for this one.

And finally the actual review~ Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Book (and movie) number 6. This is the first time where I think that they deviated from the book to the point of damaging the story line. Yes, in the previous movies larger, sometimes important, bits were left out of the films but I never felt that it damaged the integrity of the underlying story. In this film however there were quite a few crucial scenes in the book that were left out of the movie. By crucial I mean that they play a large and important part in book 7, Deathly Hollows. I don't know how they will fix these holes in the last two movies (book 7 will be split into 2 movies for those who don't know) but they need to. Without those parts left out I don't see how the story will end the same.

There were also some events that took place that were never really finished or closed, they just kind of moved on and left the viewer to assume it all worked out ok. I also felt like the new relationships were glossed over and rushed, however I did like how they played up the old relationships. I thought some of the characters were a bit fake this time round too. I don't know if it was the director or the actor; I am leaning towards director. As always the casting did a great job, the special effects were great. There was also a lot more humor in this film. Sometimes it was a bit corny or stupid but it did a good job reminding us that these are supposed to be 16/17 year old kids.

Over all I enjoyed the movie, I might go and see it a second time, I might not but I know I will purchase it when it comes out. If you enjoyed the other films, go see it.