MOVIE REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Upon reading this please be reminded of a few things, (1) I'm not so good in doing reviews that's why I hesitated on making one at first; (2) I don't know anything about cinematography, it's just pure observations; Lastly (3) I'm a true blue Rupert Grint fangirl, lol, so if you find this reaction post sort of so Rupert-driven then... Oh at least I have warned you. haha
Now let's start.The Experience.
I left our house with a mindset that no matter what, I'll enjoy the movie though I am warned that some part would be disappointing, some would just make me feel bored, etc. One thing's for sure -- I'm freaking excited to see it and it's been like that for months. (I am not the only one though, yeah? I think everyone was.) Although I have already mentioned before that HBP is my fave book in the series, I did not expect anything. Maybe that's the secret of enjoying books turned into movies, focus on what's at hand and don't compare. K, it's hard not to compare, you just can't help but compare and expect eh. As a reader, you unconsciously wanted the book to be adapted from page to page, but it isn't possible, for heaven's sake. That's the problem of others I guess, that's why they get slightly disappointed. But me, the issue whether the movie will stay true to the book, or if which is better is also shut off of my head.
So did I enjoy it? Hell yes. It is so far the best Harry Potter movie that I have seen! It is entertaining to a point that you don't want to be disturbed while watching it. You'll pay much attention to hear their lines and see how they'd react on a certain scene. I'm satisfied, because I saw those scenes that I am so looking forward to see. Although they did cut the exciting ones (the Battle of Hogwarts, Dumbledore's funeral, etc), and although it lacks explanation for the HalfBlood Prince and introduction to the Horcruxes, it never failed to amaze me.
The performances.
Oh gosh, Rupert, he IS amazing! He is such a natural comedian. The timing, also Dan Radcliffe's, is impeccably good! As if he's not Rup and he's really Ron. Haha. K, I warned you, eh? *fangirls* All of them has really improved, acting-wise. I really felt so much for Draco (Tom Felton) in the bathroom scene. And Hermione (Emma Watson) hurting is just so heartbreaking. Lavender? I once said that I might kill her, right? lol But dang! Jessie Cave nailed her performance! I was laughing really heartily inside the cinema. She's awesome. Cormac (Freddie Stroma) indeed deserved to be this week's Hollywood crush, he IS such a hottie I am looking forward of seeing more of him. Rupert is still hotter in my eyes though! Haha The eyelashes, the Ron Weasley trademark grin, the transition of facial expressions, the... K, nuff, April, nuff fangirling. :) The veterans, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham-Carter, Hagrid, Molly, Arthur, Tonks, Lupin and the others - AMAZING. Awesome casting. Dan- he's improved a lot and so is Bonnie, I'm glad that she has great long lines now. Ha ha! They're sweet though I must say the relationship between them lacks build up. Ron & Hermione for the win! My ship. Haha so I wont elaborate more or I might iritate whoever might read this for squeeing too much. :D
The effects.
Genius. I personally love the fiery Inferi cave scene w/Harry & Dumbledore. The camera effects/transition is so commendable. Remember the scene where at a tower Lavender's one step up the stairs kissing Ron then the camera swoozed then we're seeing Draco on the Astronomy Tower? What I want to say is that the transition is so jampacked, we see so much events even just with the transition making us pay attention more. The musical scoring, great! I love the effects of silence (when Dumbledore died.) I don't know much about cinematography and filming but i would give the editing 9 out of 10 stars. 9 because I find some flaws, and I ain't telling it. Lol.
* Every scene that has Rupert in it. Lol.
* The Love Potion/ Poison scene. Ron, goodness! A person behind us said, 'Parang bakla amp*ta.' Is that a compliment? Haha. Wickedly amazing.
* Lavender with the R + L thing. Funneh! Lavender for the winnn!
* The Hospital Wing scene. 'I happen to be his... friend.' and the 'Er-My-Nee' croaking. Aww. Please excuse my shipper heart as I squee!
* The Quidditch TryOut/Game. That's when I proved that Rupert's acting is so convincing. He's got a line where he just said 'Yesss!' in triumph and everyone in the cinema is frigging laughing, including me of course!
* Harry upon drinking Felix Felicis. Oh, heck, Dan! I almost fell on my seat, literally with that 'Sir?' punchline.
* Slughorn's class. The only class they attended in the movie. I just love their first meeting & how Ron and Harry raced to get a Potion's book.
* The JokeShop. My my. I love the twins! It's good to see them there & the place is just awesome.
* Snape/Cormac interrogation. Lovely.
* Harry/Draco's bathroom duel.
* The cave scene. Oh tartar sauce! Michael Gambon get the hell of me into tears. The fiery Inferi scene is my favorite.
There, I know there's lacking in the movie, but why focus on it? All I can say is that it's entertaining; it's genius that it's highly recommendable; it's bound to make history; Rupert's amazing lol, and I. LOVED. THE. MOVIE.
You ARE a fangirl, really. haha.
ReplyDeleteIKR? Haha. 'Tleast I gave a warning. XD
ReplyDeletewow. ang galing... ^_^
ReplyDeletesame with me. :-)
ReplyDeleteNapakaganda nga ng ginawa nila dun. & sa start ng movie, yung Death Eaters attack the Muggle World, Naramdaman ko parang ako yung nalipad. ^_^
Yeah. Para bang mas mabuti kung di nalang kukurap para walang mamiss na scene. XD Kasi even with the most sudden, transition scene, it tells us a story. Dang! This is yet the best one. :)
ReplyDeletei love the hospital wing scene!! kakakilig
ReplyDeleteYesss! Gah! The holding of hands and how Lavender reacted. Sweet. Haha. Too bad Ron can't remember it. :">
ReplyDeleteTHAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! The transition was so smooth and it said so much.
ReplyDeleteHBP is my favorite book too!
HBP movie ♥
It could have been one of my favorites too if Ron isn't snogging Lavender. Haha! JK! Srsly, Lavender being one step up the stairs kinda implicates her power over Ron, I'd like to think. Galeeng! Very well shot, great camera effect! HBP is indeed LOVE! :*
ReplyDeleteyep i love the smile of hermione. She had the best day that day. kaso torpe kay ron.
ReplyDeleteYes, great chemistry. And very effective together, they've really improved. I'm craving for more of R/Hr. We have to wait for DH pa. :D
ReplyDeletecheck the youtube there are a lot of fan made mtv with romantic love songs of ron and hermione. Search esp for the video with song "Why dont you kiss her" by Jesse McCartney (not sure of the spelling)/ Its very kilig. astig! One of the best video ever made!
ReplyDeleteOkay. Thanks. I'll check it out. Haha. They are my ship too. lol.
ReplyDeletehmmm... let's just agree to disagree. haha. we agree nman on most parts, but i'll stand by my opinion regarding the romantic pairings. we have our own opinions kc about love so maybe that's why di tayo mgkakasundo jan ever. and friend kita, girl, so i wont try to bash your ship. haha. (not to mention, wala akong kakampi dito. hehe)
ReplyDelete* Harry upon drinking Felix Felicis. Oh, heck, Dan! I almost fell on my seat, literally with that 'Sir?' punchline.
ReplyDeleteat least we're united with the fact that we're both hardcore Potterites! YEAH!
ReplyDeleteat least we're united with the fact that we're both hardcore Potterites! YEAH!... and i think that if we should bash something, it should be the idiots who kept comparing Harry Potter and Twilight..
ReplyDeletei actually have no idea if you're also a twilight fan, but in case you are, i really hope you'll still agree with me that they shouldn't be compared. hehe.
miss na kita!
i sooo love that part, too! the BEST! haha.
ReplyDeletegirl, why don't we watch the next potter film together? ;)
ReplyDeleteI know. When it comes to the pairings, di talaga tayo magkakasundo. Haha! But yes, we shouldn't bash each other bcz of that. And I agree much with the Potter-Twilight-Comparison thing. It shouldn't be compared in the first place. I, oh well, was a fan for some time. But after a few weeks, wala na. Fan parin siguro pero di kasing level ng HP. I have all the means but I didn't continue reading it. Not that I don't like it but, ewan. Iba eh. Twilight is Twilight and Harry is Harry so be it.
ReplyDeleteWatch DH together? That's a good idea! I'd love that! Haha. I was with Roy & Joejarie when we watched HBP and it's a lot of fun. Si Joe din ngapala, Potterite na din. Haha, he has yet to read DH though. Spoil na spoil na nga. Kinukwentuhan namin eh. Haha!
ReplyDeleteMissyou too Abi!