Bedfordtimesregister.com - Magic returns in latest Harry Potter movie

by April Helms

Special Products Editor

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a die-hard "Harry Potter" fan, and fans haven't had a good fix since 2007, when both the fifth movie, based on J.K. Rowling's book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and the seventh and final book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" came out around the same time. To make matters worse, the release of the current movie, which had been set to open this past winter, was postponed until this summer, when it officially opened July 15. Many area theaters had midnight showings (alas, the theaters closest to me had already sold out many days in advance).

So it should be no surprise that I've already seen it twice.

The good

All in all, I really enjoyed the sixth movie.

One, this movie was about the right length at about 2 1/2 hours (of course, the rabid fan in me would have loved a four-hour movie, but I realize that is not practical). My biggest complaint with the previous movie was that it was too short, too choppy and felt like an extended trailer. This movie leaves a lot out from the "Half Blood Prince" novel, but it felt complete.

Two was Draco Malfoy (played by Tom Felton), the nemesis of Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe). The earlier movies, particularly the third through fifth ones, irked me in their portrayal of Draco, showing him only as a whiny wimp (in the few moments he was seen at all). Yes, Draco is a git in the books and he's spoiled rotten. He also has some intelligence, though, and he's a good foil for the intrepid hero. Finally, this movie gets it right, and Felton takes full advantage of not only more screen time but greater character depth.

Three was Radcliffe himself. I've heard criticisms that he was not that good an actor in the previous films, and I always felt that a bit harsh. However, he seems to bring an extra depth here with this film, and I have to wonder if his recent stage experience has helped hone his performing skills.

I also really enjoyed the performances of Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, the former Hogwarts professor who is brought out of retirement to teach again; and Helena Bonham Carter's insane, vile Bellatrix Lestrange, one of Lord Voldemort's most dangerous Death Eaters. I admit when I was first reading about Slughorn character I had envisioned another actor. But when I heard Broadbent had been cast, I had to tip my hat to the choice. This was nothing short of casting genius. He does a wonderful job portraying the likable opportunist who, while not bad, always looks out for number one. Bonham Carter's Bellatrix steals every scene she's in with her combination of slithery evil and unhinged manner.

Good, too, was Michael Gambon's portrayal of Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. I haven't always been crazy about his treatment of the venerable wizard. Here, however, Gambon strikes a good balance between Dumbledore's eccentricity and formidability.

There were several small touches -- the Weasley twins new store, the books shelving themselves in the school library and the animated love note from one infatuated teen to Harry -- which added some whimsical magic to the otherwise dark movie.

The bad

I admit, some of the problems I had with this movie stem from the fact that much of the tension comes from the mysteries involved, and part of the fun of watching a mystery is trying to unravel it. That enjoyment lessens when you known the answers in advance.

One mystery involves what Slughorn knows about Tom Riddle -- who later becomes Voldemort, the supreme villain of the series -- and how Voldemort has been able to seemingly come back from the dead. The second mystery involves Draco Malfoy and, to an extent, Severus Snape (played by Alan Rickman) another professor at the school. What Malfoy is up to and how deep he is involved with Voldemort's evil allies is another main thread.

A second problem is with the nature of the book itself. "Half Blood Prince" is mostly devoted to two things: the back story involving Tom Riddle, and the love triangles/romantic angst that form with the now-teenage Harry, his best friend Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson). The former doesn't always translate well on the silver screen (although I thought it well-handled here).

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

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