I was one of the dorks who went on opening day to see the Half-Blood Prince this past Wednesday. It’s a tradition that I’ve kept since the first movie. That time, I went by myself (because none of my friends were cool enough to know that this is a pop culture phenomenon they NEED to be a part of) and made friends with the kid behind me who was dressed up as Harry Potter waving a fake wand. We played chess in line. Wizard’s chess.
I thought the movie was excellent, but there are three definite reasons to hot miss this film on the big screen:
1. Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
I love the way he says his lines. With. Perfect. Delivery.
2. Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown
This picture is from one of the funniest moments in the entire movie. This girl cracked me up so many times. She was perfectly cast.
3. Freddie Stroma as Cormac McLaggen
Hello Stroma! You put me in a coma. Hot tamale.
I give my full recommendation. Two thumbs up from yours truly. Have you guys seen it yet? Or are you planning on going this weekend? Will you be wearing your Muggle t-shirt? Or Gryffindor gold and crimson scarf?
HOT TAMALE IS RIGHT!!! Call me shallow but Stroma is a good enough reason for me to go! I think I may need a stream of ice water being served to me the entire time though!
Great movie! I went to the 12:01 am showing…and I think Lavender Brown was my favorite part of the movie Hi-Larious
Have you ever seen Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with Kevin Costner?! It pretty much sucks, but Alan Rickman played the Sheriff of Nottingham to PERFECTION! When I read the first HP, I totally pictured him as Snape. He’s such a talented actor. It made it much easier to hate him when he cheated on Emma Thompson in Love, Actually. Rat bastard.
I saw this opening day too. So. Good! My favorite Harry Potter movie yet. I have every intention of seeing it again sometime this weekend.
So MAD!!! Ok, I LOVE Harry Potter but thought this was the worst film yet- I came out of the movie so mad!
**SPOLIERS ALERT**
So First- what the heck are they thinking totally making crap up that did not even happen in the book? I can understand and forgive leaving stuff out. I mean, I would love a 6 hour HP film, but lets face it, its not going to happen. But it is not necessary to throw in stuff that not only doesn’t happen in the book, but also makes no sense! Why do death eaters attack the Burrow?? (Which would have magical protection around it) And they apparently show up for no reason, just to taunt Harry, and then just leave for no reason! It accomplishes nothing except taking up 20min of the movie when they could have been including stuff that actually happens in the book! Like, umm, the finale at the end that doesn’t happen!!
Second- the movie was really choppy. They just skipped from one thing to the next- no transitions or anything. I really came away with whiplash!
Third- In my opinion, this movie should have focused on the memories of Voldemort, Voldemorts past, and Malfoy. This book basically acts as an intro into the last book. So why was the whole movie centered around who is snogging who and left out half the memories and did not even explain a lot of what would be necessary to understand the next movies?? I mean, I completely agree Lincee- Lavender Brown cracked me up. But do we really need to make that a main focus of the film? They totally could have done all that teenage lust stuff as a background plot.
Finally- I must say whatever intern on the set of HP told Daniel to act “drunk & stupid” when he takes the Felix potion should be fired. I’m just sayin…
OK, I’m done being mad. Here’s hoping the next 2 movies are much better!!
Yeah, the movie was great! It was a much better adaption than the debacle that was the 5th movie. Plus, I loved the extra helping of Looney Lovegood, who just cracks me up. Only 300pp left in book 7. Can’t. Finish. Fast. Enough.
#5–yeah, the attack on the Burrow was unnecessary. But, I didn’t mind the battle being gone. Rowling, in my opinion, is least good when writing action scenes.
If you guys love Alan Rickman, you have GOT to rent a small, not well known movie called Truly, Madly, Deeply. It is one of the best movies ever and Alan Rickman is faboo!
And of course my favorite villain ever is Hans Gruber in the first Die Hard. I HEART Alan Rickman and he is absolutely PERFECT as Severus Snape. Not dorky enough to see it on the first day (I save that for Star Wars and LOTR) but will see it soon, maybe even this weekend!
Going to see this in a few hours!! So excited to ditch my kiddos and go to the movies! lol
I completely agree with Micah. I thought the movie was not great. It was so SLOW and definitely left out a lot of important details from the book. My suggestion, save your ears and read the book again.
WHAT?!?! Seriously, did you see this at a movie theater near League City? Because my sister-in-law was there wearing BOTH her Muggle T Shirt AND Gryffindor Scarf!! I kid you not!
I was one of the crazy’s who saw it at midnight and waited in line for 2 hours before hand (got my tickets 2 weeks ago too). It was awesome! My favorite so far. (Possibly because 6 is my least favorite book so I wasn’t expecting too much from the movie anyway) I thought I would be upset with the stuff they left out but I wasn’t with the exception of a detail or 2. I liked the burrow scene but agree with #5 that it wasn’t nessacary. I couldn’t stop laughing through most of the movie though, very funny. And Lavender was my favorite!
I read on Wiki that the battle at Hogwarts was left out because it would have caused repetition with the battle in the final movie and it was felt by the screen writer and director that it wasn’t a nessacary part of the 6th movie like it will be for the final movie. The funeral was left out because it was felt like it wasn’t important to include. (Which I don’t agree with but o.k.) I think that the powers that be assume that most of the people who see the movies are ones who have read the books so it isn’t nessacary to put every detail that we as readers think needs to be included. For instance, in # 3, I think they should have actually said who Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were. It’s kind of important for the rest of the series, but they didn’t feel like they needed to include that information that would have taken 2 minutes to explain, but I digress.
But all in all, I was impressed with this one, although I do agree it was slow in spots and was choppy. But I can’t wait to add it to my DVD collection and I can’t wait for the final two movies!
I saw the movie yesterday, and loved it. In my top 2 among the 6 movies.
I agree 100% with your #1 reason, Alan Rickman does an amazing job playing Snape.
Loved it. I recognize that it’s an adaptation so I didn’t get mad at the changes. For me, it’s the spirit of the book and the story, and the parts that they did choose to portray were brilliant. Luna, Lavender – EXCELLENT. Fred & George’s store, Quidditch – FABOO! And Alan Rickman. Sigh. I have hearted him for a long time, and in this movie he just had to say, “You just (insert significant pause) know.” Really terrific.
Agreed on all counts! I went to the 12:01 showing and it was fantastic! LOVED the movie and there’s nothing like being there with hundreds of other Potter die-hards – it’s so worth getting only 3 hours of sleep and then having 3 days left in the work week to get through!
I read all the books and I saw the movie. I definitely believe that they missed out on some good stuff that is in the book. And I agree that they added in some stuff that wasn’t necessary. My take on the Burrow attack is that they used it to further the relationship with Harry and Ginny and create fear for Death Eaters…although, again, not necessary. I think low expectations for last two movies will produce good results. And let’s face it, the movies are NEVER better than the books!!
I waited to see it until Wednesday night because I was waiting for my brother to get back in town. I loved the movie (just because it was so much funnier than the others), but he was really irritated that they completely cut Dobby out of this one. I kind of see his point- Dobby is a pretty cool, likable character that actually saves the day and was ignored. Oh well. I’d pretty much assumed that this one was just to set up the next two, so it didn’t bother me too much that they left out so much of the book- there will be plenty to add back in later if they’re going to split the last book into two movies! (I think some of the info left out of this one will show up later, I guess we’ll see).
I’m thinking of taking a fake Hedwig to the next premier. Maybe toss him in the air in the scene where he dies? Bringing my own version of HP 3D to the theater? Ha.
btw, Lincee, special HP story for you, coming via email. Just for fun.
Alan Rickman is one of my all time favorite actors. If you haven’t seen him as Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility, give it a whirl. He’s fantastic (and so is that movie).
Lincee, are you going to NKOTB tonight? I swore after I read your post about it last fall that I wouldn’t miss it if they came again. I’m going and dragging some friends with me!
AWESOME movie! as always! I’m sooo glad you’ve been going to the midnight premiere since the first movie–me toooooooooooo. With my siblings, and the summers we’ve been apart with friends–awesome!!! This time around I dressed up (again, duh!) as Hermione (I’ve done Harry with the glasses in the past but frankly, they don’t look good on me–so not this time around). It was awesome, soo glad you’re a fan! (of the books, too, I hope!!)
Also, do you watch so you think you can dance? because I def think you should! it’s grrrrreat!
HATED IT.
MrG and I took LittleG to see it yesterday, and we loved it! I was so proud of my 5-year old for audibly gasping when the Half Blood Prince revealed himself! I hate to admit this is the first HP I’ve seen at the theater (although we own them all on DVD), and seeing it with and through the eyes of my daughter made it all the more magical for me. Loved it!!!
Loved the movie, but was confused about the burrow, but didn’t something happen at the burrow and wasn’t there a big fight scene in the movie? And when was the super big fight scene in the dining hall- was that in book seven? I think I must have to read the book again.
I would have rather they cut out the entire Cormac storyline and kept in the 2 missing Voldy flashbacks and Dumbledore’s funeral. Those were necessary plot points they cut out – especially the funeral! Although I do agree Cormac was pretty yummy, but they could have done the ron/hermione storyline with lavender alone. And why keep in Fenrir Greyback if you’re not even going to explain that he’s a werewolf and not have him bite Bill’s face off? I was also kinda bummed they took out the opening scene between the new Minister of Magic and the Prime Minister of Brittian – but that decision I can live with.
One other thing – since they’ve taken Bill and Fleur out of the storyline completely, how are they going to compensate for the wedding scene in the next movie? I wonder if Lupin and Tonks will get a big wedding instead? I don’t see how they can cut that out since it establishes so many major plot points.
But enough bitching – it was still a great movie.
I had forgotten all those things happened- boy I need to read this book again. Wouldn’t it be coold to see a totally unedited version of the book! We would probably be watching a 8 hour movie!
Speaking of HP, while you greenbeaners heap up here for your Ed stalking, the exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry is a MUST SEE. I was amazed at all the props they were able to get. I even gotmyself a Marauder’s Map coffee mug–it only shows when there’s coffee inside. So cool.
Ummm, is that Freddie person the child who drums in School of Rock with Jack Black? Please tell me no.
Nevermind, false alarm. Although they are just about the same age, according to IMDB. UGH, I’m old.
#5 Micah I totally agree! I am a huge fan of the books and was disappointed so much important detail was left out of this movie, especially when stuff that didn’t happen in the book was added in. Horcruxes was a major thing in the book and this is necessary to go on to the seventh book/movie. I don’t think this was as big a part in the movie as it should have been. Also there was no need for those death eater to even come in through the vanishing cabinet because there was NO fight scene! they did nothing but run around and burn hagrid’s hut! i hope that by having 2 movies for the 7th book, more of the book gets put into the movies…
also, has anyone else noticed how in most of the movies harry and his friends are wearing muggle clothes? they should be wearing robes while at school, and this always slightly annoyed me..
anyway, it was a good movie to someone who didnt read the books and it was still okay, but I think the first 5 movies followed the books a lot better. just sayin!
LOVED the movie. I too went alone, on opening day, because my friends all said….”please…”
I did NOT expect the movie to ape the book. Let’s face it folks, other than the first movie? The screenwriters have taken absolute disgusting license with the books. So I went into this one just hoping to LIKE one of the damn things for a change!!!
Mostly I did. It was good, I will be getting it on DVD. However, what the hell was the purpose of burning down the burrow? And want ever happened to Bill and FLEUR???? REMEMBER THEM???? In book 7 they GOT MARRIED AT THE BURROW for sweet Christ’s sake!!!!
So I guess we already know 7 part one is gonna kinda suck because they won’t be at the burrow, there won’t be a wedding where the death-eaters crash and harry and the gang have to flee.
Sometimes, I hate I read the books before I saw the movies, cause as good as this one was and is?
Compared to the actual book?
It sucks big wads of mud. Burning the burrow really pissed me off. Can ya tell?
(sigh) when the first movie came out I too went on opening night– as a matter of fact I went to the midnight showing…. and i was dressed as Harry Potter… yes, I was 22 years old, college educated, with black rimmed classes, a lightening scar, a black cape and a striped gold and crimson scarf. IT WAS AWESOME. thanks for the recommendation to see this one, too. i’ve liked them all (but nothing tops that first one! and of course none of them come close to the books).
I, too, was REALLY unhappy about the burrow scene. I get that the movie had to be condensed from the book, but this was made up and they could have left other things in, instead. There’s a lot of “set up” in book 6 that you have to know to understand book 7 – but they could be working that in to the next movie in a different way.
I am sure they’ll just skip the wedding entirely – one of my favorite parts of book 6 is when Dumbledore “visits” Harry’s relatives at Privet Drive at the beginning, and the movie moved that whole initial encounter to a random coffee shop/train station with no Dursley characters at all.
All in all, I thought it was a decent adaptation…I had read that the producers felt like true diehard fans would have read the books and already know all the background stuff, so they were okay with leaving it out. I had to keep reminding myself that Jo Rowling has final script approval, so if it’s okay with her, I guess this must be acceptable. Think of it as an “alternate universe” version of Harry’s story. (Although I certainly like the original best!)
I agree with #32 — If J.K. Rowling has final say, then I say it is good. There is some stuff I did not understand as to why is was done that way and all, but until we see them all…It may all come together in the end. It was close enough for me to enjoy. I rather enjoyed the storyline of Ron/Lavendar/Hermione and Harry/Ginny, but then I am a sucker that!
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