Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince A test screening experience and review by Eric Scull ~~~~SPOILER WARNING!~~~~

[Tiffany Lothamer]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
A test screening experience and review by Eric Scull




~~~~SPOILER WARNING!~~~~  The review below includes mild spoilers for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Read at your own discretion, but consider yourself forewarned.  

First, let me explain that what we saw was a pre-release test screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
– the first one, apparently, which is always held in Chicago stemming
back to the days of the first two films. There were, if I had to guess,
I’d say 300 people who made it, and none of the people I talked to knew
what we were going to see beforehand. All we had been told was that the
movie was expected to be rated PG-13, no video or audio recording
devices were in any way allowed (they confiscated our phones) and the
purpose of the screening was to obtain feedback from the diverse
audience prior to the film’s actual release. Rather standard, I’m sure.

While sitting in the theatre all we could do was speculate what the
movie would be. We were completely unsure, until something happened
that made me look twice. David Heyman entered the auditorium and
started talking to an associate. Although I hadn’t met him in person
before, I’d seen him in enough interviews that, once I saw him, my
furthest hopes came to mind. Sure enough, the lights dimmed, and it was
announced that we were going to be seeing a rough cut version, not
fully completed but generally in tact, of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Onward to the movie.

We knew they had filmed a bridge collapse scene which in the book
was mentioned during the first chapter, “The Other Minister.” This
makes for a great opening sequence and, although we don’t meet the
Muggle Prime Minister, we get to see the disaster happen from the
Muggle perspective. Actually it’s from both Muggle and a wizarding
perspective that we see what happens – a really cool trick which you
can do with film. It’s pulled off quite nicely. Already I like the
style and care that is put in to characterizing people in this world
who we don’t even meet.

The Dursleys are not in this film, but that information was also
already available. Instead, we find Harry waiting for Dumbledore, and I
won’t say where except to say that they’ve constructed a scene which I
think works well. The movie has already given a couple of seconds to
reflect quickly on the horrors of Harry’s previous year, and we are
ready as moviegoers to watch Harry pick up the journey and go further
from there.

Harry and Dumbledore Side-Along Apparate (the special effect, which
appeared to be completed, was perfect in matching the canon description
of the act) to the village where Slughorn is staying, and one of my
largest concerns for the movie was getting to see Jim Broadbent as
Horace Slughorn. Don’t worry. Throughout the movie, I was continuously
impressed with how they adapted the character to the film, and to say
that he does reflect my Slughorn from the books satisfactorily, with a
little extra, is true. The scene where they meet Slughorn is
surprisingly close to the events of the book, as is most of this movie,
actually. I was surprised and delighted to see Couch-Slughorn put to
film.

The events of “Spinner’s End” take place also in the beginning of
the film. We’ve received a promo picture of Alan Rickman’s Snape and
Helen McCrory’s Narcissa doing the Unbreakable Vow, and that’s why -
it’s in the movie. Alan Rickman looks good. They’ve tailored his Snape
suit and he’s got nicer hair, the full main villain treatment I
suspect. The scene is compellingly acted and doesn’t feel out of place
with the many events of the start of the film.

And thus, the movie continues. With the initial story-setting behind
them, although it didn’t feel rushed at all, we are taken to the
Burrow. Here is where I’ll speed up the review.

A lot of the things people seemed to dislike about the fifth HP
film, such as vast amounts of time passing in visually appealing yet
otherwise disappointing montages, does not happen in this. The film
maintains its director’s neat visuals, however. Right from the initial
Burrow scene, it is clear that Mr. Yates has not lost his creative edge
and rather moved on to do different and wonderful things with the
camera.

The entire movie seems to keep its pace, and I think one of the
things that has helped the filmmakers is a clear-cut set of events
spread almost evenly throughout the year in the book. There’s not too
much stuff going on, rather just enough things at significant enough
times of year so that they can document the full year without it
feeling rushed. Again I mention the closeness of the movie to the book
particularly. Some scenes are almost verbatim, but the ones that aren’t
serve to really enhance the movie’s impact and its ability to stand
alone as a film.

All of my concerns about Bonnie Wright as Ginny were washed away in
her first scene. Book Six has either too much snogging or too much
Voldemort – neither of which I complained about and both which I rather
enjoyed – but this movie completely balances the two quite nicely. It
seems effortless almost. But there are really dark scenes and then
there are very fun scenes. If you know the characters from having read
the books, I think you’ll get more out of the movie than those who
haven’t and that’s surprising to me. For the first time, it seems, the
filmmakers have made a movie which is REALLY true to the characters of
the book and almost not afraid to leave newcomers with the shorter
stick.

Also important to mention is that this movie is in NO way, at all,
in any shape or form, a children’s movie. I’ve said that before
regarding the Potters, but this time it couldn’t be truer.
Everything about this movie screams serious intensity, like the Katie
Bell necklace scene, and it makes me so happy that they could make such
an intense movie, because it gives me real hope for the adaptations of
the seventh book. But I think you should think twice before bringing
your kid brother to see it. 

Such effort is spent on the characters of the trio throughout the
course of the movie. In fact, Emma Watson’s never been better. There’s
a moment in this movie where I almost screamed “THAT’s my book
Hermione!” which hadn’t happened to me since the first movie. Similarly
Rupert has had some REAL fun scenes to play with in this film. The
Lavender subplot is hilarious and, surprisingly, not annoying at all.
And oh, what a joy it is to see Quidditch back!

The movie focuses on the trio perhaps more than ever, but the
surrounding characters are well portrayed. Matthew Lewis as Neville
again has a small amount of screen time, but we all know how awesome
his role is going to be in the next movie. Even in scenes where the
characters we all know by now aren’t featured or speaking, their
characters show through. That’s no doubt due to improved acting all
around, and a seriously commendable tolerance for their bit parts. They
do the characters well. Evanna Lynch’s Luna gets perhaps equal screen
time as she did in the last movie, and many things from her character
in the books are brought to screen and fun to see.

Also commendable is the new casting. Cormac McClaggen’s character
and Lavender Brown’s really help to push the school side of the plot
throughout the film. The movie almost relies on their convincing roles
at times because it’s easier to forget that we’re in school with how
dark and mysterious everything else is that’s going on.

There are many scenes with Draco. I’m surprised I haven’t mentioned
him yet. From early on, Tom Felton has a lot to work with in this movie
and it’s very pleasant to see him get to play his character for a good
amount of time. The movie is sympathetic – the story focuses on his
plight as a subplot, and we’ll often see him lurking around the castle
in the backgrounds of other scenes. We’re being “reminded” that he’s
got his mission, without being told everything.

Michael Gambon, in this movie, has finally satisfied me. He has the
right inflection of the lines which is necessary for Dumbledore, and
altogether seems to be really with it. The climax of the film is very
wonderfully done, and throughout the film you are able to embrace his
Dumbledore quite nicely.

 Another great thing about this film is the reappearance of the little things. Tom Riddle’s diary, from Chamber of Secrets,
and The Marauder’s Map, for instance. It’s the little things that add
continuity from previous films which I’m a stickler for. Also, the
twins! While I realize they’re not props, by far my FAVORITE scene in
the movie is the one that takes place at Weasley’s Whizarding Wheezes!
It’s so good to see them after the initial subdued opening of the film
and their scene, while about five minutes long, is the best. The
filmmakers simply couldn’t leave it out – and it does well to show that
some people in the wizarding world are able to break through all the
fear going on out there. Diagon Alley is otherwise almost completely
empty – Ollivander’s shop is empty. Can you believe they mention it?
They do. They even have time to walk inside and feel sad.

Next to mention are the Pensieve scenes. It’s been confirmed that
there are a lot fewer in the movie than there are in the book. I didn’t
have a problem with scenes cut from Movie Five, and I have even less of
a problem with them not being included in Six. What the filmmakers have
done is meticulously crafted a movie to portray the events that happen
in the book and to tell a really compelling story which includes all
the most adaptable parts they could to fit the time frame. Would I have
liked to have seen The Gaunts? Maybe. But that’s easily a ten to
fifteen minute scene which has little to do with the actual path ahead
of Harry. There are some things which I’m proud that I can just read
them in the book and they’ll always be there, so well done, without a
film adaptation. 

There are only two Pensieve scenes included. The scene from the
teaser trailer, Young Tom Riddle in the orphanage, and the scene in
Slughorn’s classroom both shortened and elongated just like in the book
where we learn about Horcruxes. These three journeys into the Pensieve
are so well-placed in the film and the film doesn’t feel short of them.
Nor is there too much snogging. Overall, once more, a great balance
between.

The cave scene at the end of the book could have been messed up so
badly in the film, but it’s not. It’s amazing. It’s exactly what I
imagined and conveys amazing emotional impact. The special features are
great. Watching Harry force-feed Dumbledore is just as raw and
scary as it was in the book. Dan Radcliffe’s acting all throughout is
top-notch.

I forgot to mention the Half-Blood Prince subplot. With so many
subplots, it’s a wonder how they all fit into the movie so well, but
they do! They weren’t cut! And Slug Club scenes, oh yes, there are a
few. And Quidditch, as mentioned. So much is back I am overwhelmed with
how much of each that I didn’t think we’d see.

Finally, the climax. It, too, is adapted very well. There is such
emotion behind it and, when the score is completed, I’m sure it will be
one of the defining moments of the series. I liked watching it much,
much better than Sirius’ death scene. There was a funny moment for me
at the Burrow with Lupin and Tonks and Mr. Weasley in the room when I
thought, “Hey wait a minute, where’s Gary Oldman?” Dumbledore’s death
will stick.

The movie score, although we did hear an un-finalized version, was
great. They have used some recurring themes, including several from the
Prisoner of Azkaban film! I was very in awe to hear the tune to
“Something Wicked This Way Comes” set to book six events - so ominous
and truly perfect. I have full faith that, when completed, it will be
wonderful.

After the movie I introduced myself to David Heyman. Not only was he
there, but so was Alan Horn, president of Warner Bros. And David Yates,
the director, David Barron the co-producer, and Mark Day the film
editor! They all sat for a twenty minute “focus group” afterwards which
I did not attend, and when they came out I spoke with them at length
about the film and how I felt it was a big success.

I wrote this review so that I could express to everyone how worth
the wait this movie is going to be. I know it’s been delayed and I know
that stinks. But they’re going to use the time they now have, screen it
some more, and a better movie will be made as a result of it, I am
completely convinced. I can’t wait to see proper movie trailers, a
movie poster, and all of that because my worries are completely gone. I
am sure that the movie I saw is not the final film and once the CGI is
completed and feedback considered, there will be plenty more to make it
a completely different experience.

Seeing it is still a bit of a blur, but hopefully this helps the
wait, and to assure you that the people who are making the movie have
the fans’ concerns at heart. We all took surveys which begged us to be
as specific as possible about what we did and didn’t like, who our
favourite characters were, questions about the pace of the film and all
of that. This movie is going to be the best one yet. They have the time
and the will-power to make it so.




9/7/08
Posted by: Eric
 ~~Tiffany Marie
  (¯`v´¯)   `·.¸.·´  ¸.·´¸.·´¨) ¸.·*¨)(¸.·´    (¸.·´   (¸¸.·¨¯`·.)




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