For all its focus on teen romantic entanglements, it sure has very little to do with the Half-Blood Prince.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
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Reviews Counted:246
Fresh:205
Rotten:41
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: Dark, thrilling, and occasionally quite funny, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is also visually stunning and emotionally satisfying.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
Runtime: 2 hrs 33 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:Jul 15, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $301,920,409
Synopsis: Though HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN director Alfonso Cuaron still holds the crown for best film in the series, David Yates is making an attempt at a coup with HARRY POTTER AND THE... Though HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN director Alfonso Cuaron still holds the crown for best film in the series, David Yates is making an attempt at a coup with HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. Dark, gleefully funny, and beautifully shot, this adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s novel should please fans despite numerous changes to the 650-page source material. In this sixth film in the series, Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) inevitable confrontation with the dark wizard Voldemort grows closer, and Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) wants the young student to be prepared. He guides Harry through a memory of a young Voldemort, but an important moment is missing. Harry must extract this memory from the new Hogwarts teacher, Horace Slughorn (a perfectly slimy Jim Broadbent), who is as eager for fame as he is reluctant to revisit this painful moment. Meanwhile, romance rules the school of witches and wizards, with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) refusing to admit their feelings for each other. Harry also harbors a secret love of his own: Ron’s younger sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright). But despite his crush, Harry keeps an eye on Snape (Alan Rickman) and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), who may be responsible for attacks on the school. HALF-BLOOD PRINCE deftly balances the humor of Hogwarts heartbreak and the thrills of dark villains attacking the school. The cast is as talented as ever, and the youngest members--Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson--have developed their talent well. However, this film is most remarkable for its fine cinematography from AMELIE director of photography Bruno Delbonnel. Using a muted palette, Delbonnel makes Hogwarts look hauntingly beautiful in a way that fans have never seen. There’s always plenty of fun and adventure in the series, but this entry boasts impressive visuals as well. [More]
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham-Carter, David Bradley, Bonnie Wright, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Helen McCrory, Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Director: David Yates
Director: David Yates
Screenwriter: Steve Kloves
Producer: David Heyman, David Barron
Composer: Nicholas Hooper
Studio: Warner Bros.
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Reviews for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
...one of the longest yet most-delightfully entertaining installments in the series.
Radcliffe, Grint and Watson are great as always, but director David Yates' adherence to realism stifles J.K. Rowling's trickster-storytelling wiles. Yates' horrifically bad botching of big-ticket moments bodes poorly for the "Deathly Hallows" films.
In a world where the Transformers sequel can make a mint while being so lackadaisical and empty, it almost makes you wonder why the Potter crew bother to take such care. But let's not question it. Just enjoy it.
As the Harry Potter movies have ventured into darker, more mature territory, the series has greatly improved in one regard: The stories feel more epic, the tension more real.
The most disappointing of the bunch, if only because it opens so promisingly
Harry Potter grows up. Harry Potter needs to shave. Harry Potter shows more interest in the young ladies at Hogwarts.
Harry must enter the mists in anxiety and emerge stronger. Everything about his world is uncertain, not to be trusted – and who among us hasn't felt the same way, even if witches didn't lurk around our corners?
...an epic length fantasy where we continue to care for these characters, and are glad to know that the finale won't be rushed
There's a welcome lightness in the romantic couplings, which will have pre-teens across America asking, "Mom, what's snogging?"
Tal vez el problema mayor %u2013más allá de la duración, la falta de momentos "importantes" y de acción, e incluso el exceso de romance adolescente- sea el desfiguramiento de Harry como héroe.
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is the most balanced Harry Potter film to come along...
This is a movie that steps far outside of the comfort zone and becomes an enthralling and fully-realized gothic fantasy.
The uniformly good performances and the often inspired craftsmanship arguably make this second only to Cuaron's Prisoner of Azkaban in the Potter pantheon.
Delivers all the visual grandeur we've come to expect from the saga while simultaneously tackling the potentially thorny issue of adolescent hormonal urges with warmth, subtlety and a good dose of humor.
Latest News for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
December 07, 2009:
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Harry Potter and Public Enemies
This week on home video, it's all about Harry Potter. The franchise's sixth installment comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week, but that's not all. Warner Home Video is also... More...
November 18, 2009:
RT on DVD: Harry Potter returns, Bella heads to Adventureland
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September 04, 2009:
Warner Bros. Takes the Summer Crown ![]()
Technically, summer isn't quite over yet -- but no matter what happens over the next few days, we know one thing: Warner Bros. will walk away with the largest box office take of... More...
July 24, 2009:
Submit to the RT Show and Earn a Cool $100
Time for the weekly update, folks. As always, thanks to everyone who has submitted reviews and helped contribute to the show. Every week, we continue to bring you a lively,... More...
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