Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

Director:

David Yates

Writers:

Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel)

Stars:

Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Rupert Grint

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Harry Potter
Michael Gambon	...	Professor Albus Dumbledore
Dave Legeno	...	Fenrir Greyback
Elarica Gallacher	...	Waitress
Jim Broadbent	...	Professor Horace Slughorn
Geraldine Somerville	...	Lily Potter
Bonnie Wright	...	Ginny Weasley
Julie Walters	...	Molly Weasley
Rupert Grint	...	Ron Weasley
Emma Watson	...	Hermione Granger
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Bellatrix Lestrange
Helen McCrory	...	Narcissa Malfoy
Timothy Spall	...	Wormtail
Alan Rickman	...	Professor Severus Snape
Oliver Phelps	...	George Weasley

Storyline

In the sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, and in both wizard and muggle worlds Lord Voldemort and his henchmen are increasingly active. With vacancies to fill at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore persuades Horace Slughorn, back from retirement to become the potions teacher, while Professor Snape receives long awaited news. Harry Potter, together with Dumbledore, must face treacherous tasks to defeat his evil nemesis.

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Plot Keywords:

book | professor | potion | blood | locket | 

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Taglines:

Once again I must ask too much of you, Harry

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Australia]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£19,784,924 (UK) (17 July 2009)

Gross:

$301,956,980 (USA) (11 December 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Heyday Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

153 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first Harry Potter film that does not feature any aspect of Defense Against the Dark Arts classes on screen, either direct (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) or indirect (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone). The only mention of the subject occurs when Dumbledore announces Snape's appointment to the open teaching position.

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Goofs

The 'wheat/corn' outside the Burrow at Christmas is actually a reed bed, which can definitely grow to the height shown in the film in winter in Britain.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Bellatrix Lestrange: [faded voiceover] I killed Sirius Black!

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Crazy Credits

The end credits take their shape from what look like ink spills, resembling the appearance of the collected memories when they are poured into Dumbledore's Pensieve.

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Connections

Featured in 2009 MTV Movie Awards (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Original Quidditch Theme"
Composed by John Williams

User Reviews

A Delicious Summer Treat

Only the most unyielding literalist Potter fans will not enjoy this film as it has it all: exquisite cinematography, a brilliant soundtrack, imaginative direction, and the best acting from both veterans and young guns we've seen so far in the series. All are put to brilliant use as Dumbledore and Harry conspire to discover Lord Voldermort's secrets whilst simultaneously straining every sinew to contain outbreaks of rampant hormones and potion-taking at Hogwarts.

Some of the sets are breathtaking, in particular Weasley Wizard Wheezes. The film is hilarious throughout, Rupert Grint excelling with superb support from Jessie Cave, Freddie Stroma (as Cormac McClaggen) and Evanna Lynch. Bonnie Wright and Tom Felton are allowed to step out of their two-dimensional characters, Wright delivering sensuousness and strength and Felton giving an outstanding all-round performance. Daniel Radcliffe continues to carry the weight of both the part and the franchise with effortless ease, and Emma Watson is once again a delight as the emotionally embattled focus of the superb trio, who have now added a facility for comedy to their formidable acting skills.

The veterans pull out all the stops, Michael Gambon is exceptional, becoming a truly charismatic and compelling presence by the end of the film, and of course, perfectly pitched performances from the likes of Bonham Carter (terrifyingly seductive), Jim Broadbent (funny and pathos-filled), and Alan Rickman (unreadably malevolent). And, despite being on the screen for what seemed an instant, both David Thewlis and Helen McCrory successfully convey their respective characters' desperation and edginess.

The film never lags because when you are not being gripped by visceral Quidditch or battle scenes you are laughing your head off at the comedy which ranges from broad and physical to witty and acute.

The film is all the more satisfying because there is a very strong sense of place, and the characters are three-dimensional, and utterly recognisable. And, it is truly multi-dimensional, part romcom, detective story, rites-of-passage teen adventure, magical, scary-horror, political, and, above all, about love and friendship. All Rowling's stories are multi-layered but this is the first film to really capture the complexity and fun of the series.

You cannot wish for more from a film than it both stays in the mind, and, the first urge you have is to want to see it all over again. Half Blood Prince delivers on both counts, and more.