The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series is finally on the big screen in the Philippines. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released last July 16, 2009, and every cinema in the country has been full ever since.

Just like every book-adopted films, the movie didn’t exactly puzzle fit with J.K Rowling’s best seller. But that’s a trend that we’ve grown accustomed to as audience in the industry anyway. When will the author and the scriptwriter meet eye-to-eye; we’re still waiting.

But David Yates is a proven man, especially for Harry Potter. Although good as he was, and the movie, there were still some dead points.

First, the emphasis on the romantic relationships strangely became a reminiscent of the Twilight movie since both stories share pretty much the same group audience. The relationships of the characters had jumped to huge developments as compared to the last film; putting in intimate scenes of the characters which had come a long way since their Sorcerer Stone Debut. Its children fan-base may not exactly understand such maturity on both the love and responsibility aspect of the characters. Second, if you have not read the book, it will be difficult to follow.

For a non-reader, the climax will be hard to recognize and eventually the resolution will go on as if nothing happened, and you’ll just be surprised that the movie’s already over. Compared to the previous movies, the Half-Blood prince didn’t leave you as awestruck as, for one, the Goblet of Fire did.

There were even more music than words in some of the scenes; its as If as the non-readers were missing out on the good words that sold millions – J.K Rowling did a good, if not a perfect job, on prosing the characters, but the movie seemed to have put that off.

But if there’s one thing consistent in the movie, it has to be the change in the Hogwarts crew. Suddenly, it’s not only just Harry Potter. Draco Malfoy will be more than just the blonde bully who has two annoying sidekicks; Ron Weasley is no longer the freckled loser; Hermione Granger is not invincible this time; and Ginny Weasley is certainly not just Harry’s best friend’s sister no more. All of them took some steps up, and fans can’t help but feel nostalgic of their younger days.

Cinematography wise, it couldn’t have been better. It is consistent with the rest of the Harry Potter films. The transition was fairly good; using the same scene but changing the focus or angle to move to the next setting. The lighting was also good even in the parts where it has to be dark and mysterious; they managed to make the main characters visible with just one light of the wand.

Hence, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince have made a different impression from the rest of the HP movies. Nonetheless, it is a Harry Potter movie that people can’t just ignore. As for being mysterious, its just because it is the prequel to the last of the Harry Potter story. This film is almost certainly just an introduction to the finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, which is really something to look forward to.

Article by: Luvimin Joquico

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