Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (SPOILERS)
It's incredibly late at night...but I don't care. I'm gonna post about what I thought of Half Blood Prince... Just...beware. In here be spoilers...I'm gonna put an LJ Cut on it so those who don't want to see (as if anyone actually reads my journals...*rolls eyes*) don't have to.
It was so much better than the other movies. The first two followed the book and were fairly boring, but this one managed to follow the book, include most everything (I think the way they cut/changed/added was, while different, fitting for the movie), and not seem long or dragging. To me, anyway.
I have to say, I really love the way they portrayed Harry and Hermione's friendship in this movie. They made the two of them out to be the best friends, rather than Ron and Harry. And I think that's more likely than Ron and Harry, considering how Ron's insecurities might hold both of them back. But especially in this intallment, their friendship and how close they are is really emphasized. Even when they are all back together and friends again, Ron stands off to the side and Harry and Hermione stand together away from him.
My favorite scene in the entire series was the (admittedly cliche) scene after Lavender kisses Ron. Hermione escapes to the other room, and Harry follows her. Hermione asks Harry what it feels like when he sees Ginny with Dean, because she knows he likes her. He's her best friend and she notices, she says. She's crying. Before Harry has a chance to respond, Ron and Lavender come stumbling in, and Ron tries to talk to her because he's an idiot...and Hermione sends the canaries at him. He leaves and Harry grasps her knee in comfort and says "it feels like this". It's cliche, but it's sweet and it says so much about their friendship. The entire movie does.
Another thing I loved was Draco. I feel like his is a character that's so hard to live up to. And let me tell you, Tom Felton could not have done better, in my opinion. He clearly shows how nervous Draco becomes, how eager he is to please and succeed, and how - in the beginning - he was so excited for the oppurtunity, but as time progresses, his efforts become less and less serious. It's almost like he doesn't want to do it (and in the end, he doesn't - he isn't able to). I feel like in the book, because it's from Harry's point of view, we see Harry as thinking Draco's guilty of something when there is no evidence, it appears like he feels that way just because he doesn't like Draco. But with the movie, you are able to see multiple points of view, so you know that Harry's instincts aren't unfounded. It's much better. Anyway, it was an amazing portrayal.
I was disappointed with Harry/Ginny in the movie. I'm not a fan of the pairing, but I like Ginny better in the movies than in the books, and the way they got together was so vague. She says "this can stay here, too, if you like" or something like that. So your not sure if they are actually together, and they don't break up in the end. I just wish it had been the way it was in the book.
And Lupin/Tonks was random. Like, they were suddenly calling each other sweetheart for no reason and you had to assume. It was awkward.
Another thing...the "Half Blood Prince" was way way way way in the background. The book was mentioned a few times in the movie, and it was mentioned once or twice as being a referance to Harry throughout the year...but there was nothing much else on it except at the end where Snape says he was the Half Blood Prince. It's not explained, and while a book fan doesn't need explanation, movie people do. That was upsetting.
And I was sad they didn't put in the battle at Hogwarts in detail. Like, the Death Eaters showed up for no real reason except to trash the school and burn Hagrid's hut. Nothing else was done except the death of Dumbledore. It was extremely disappointing, I have to say.
But, all in all, the best movie yet. It managed to be hilarious at times and dark and really sad at others (I think you know what I'm talking about). Everyone should watch it.
It was so much better than the other movies. The first two followed the book and were fairly boring, but this one managed to follow the book, include most everything (I think the way they cut/changed/added was, while different, fitting for the movie), and not seem long or dragging. To me, anyway.
I have to say, I really love the way they portrayed Harry and Hermione's friendship in this movie. They made the two of them out to be the best friends, rather than Ron and Harry. And I think that's more likely than Ron and Harry, considering how Ron's insecurities might hold both of them back. But especially in this intallment, their friendship and how close they are is really emphasized. Even when they are all back together and friends again, Ron stands off to the side and Harry and Hermione stand together away from him.
My favorite scene in the entire series was the (admittedly cliche) scene after Lavender kisses Ron. Hermione escapes to the other room, and Harry follows her. Hermione asks Harry what it feels like when he sees Ginny with Dean, because she knows he likes her. He's her best friend and she notices, she says. She's crying. Before Harry has a chance to respond, Ron and Lavender come stumbling in, and Ron tries to talk to her because he's an idiot...and Hermione sends the canaries at him. He leaves and Harry grasps her knee in comfort and says "it feels like this". It's cliche, but it's sweet and it says so much about their friendship. The entire movie does.
Another thing I loved was Draco. I feel like his is a character that's so hard to live up to. And let me tell you, Tom Felton could not have done better, in my opinion. He clearly shows how nervous Draco becomes, how eager he is to please and succeed, and how - in the beginning - he was so excited for the oppurtunity, but as time progresses, his efforts become less and less serious. It's almost like he doesn't want to do it (and in the end, he doesn't - he isn't able to). I feel like in the book, because it's from Harry's point of view, we see Harry as thinking Draco's guilty of something when there is no evidence, it appears like he feels that way just because he doesn't like Draco. But with the movie, you are able to see multiple points of view, so you know that Harry's instincts aren't unfounded. It's much better. Anyway, it was an amazing portrayal.
I was disappointed with Harry/Ginny in the movie. I'm not a fan of the pairing, but I like Ginny better in the movies than in the books, and the way they got together was so vague. She says "this can stay here, too, if you like" or something like that. So your not sure if they are actually together, and they don't break up in the end. I just wish it had been the way it was in the book.
And Lupin/Tonks was random. Like, they were suddenly calling each other sweetheart for no reason and you had to assume. It was awkward.
Another thing...the "Half Blood Prince" was way way way way in the background. The book was mentioned a few times in the movie, and it was mentioned once or twice as being a referance to Harry throughout the year...but there was nothing much else on it except at the end where Snape says he was the Half Blood Prince. It's not explained, and while a book fan doesn't need explanation, movie people do. That was upsetting.
And I was sad they didn't put in the battle at Hogwarts in detail. Like, the Death Eaters showed up for no real reason except to trash the school and burn Hagrid's hut. Nothing else was done except the death of Dumbledore. It was extremely disappointing, I have to say.
But, all in all, the best movie yet. It managed to be hilarious at times and dark and really sad at others (I think you know what I'm talking about). Everyone should watch it.