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Ghost Canyon

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2-Disc)'
(Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, et al / 2-Disc DVD / PG / 2009 / Warner Bros.)

Overview: Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same.

DVD Verdict: Orphaned as a baby and subsequently raised (in the loosest possible terms) by his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, Harry's early years were thoroughly miserable. Although he had been told his parents had died in a car crash, they were actually murdered by an evil wizard called Voldemort. Harry, however, somehow survived this attack and Voldemort subsequently disappeared for many years. Harry learnt of his past when he was eleven, and has since been attending Hogwarts - a very prestigious school for training young witches and wizards.

The years in between have provided him with some of the happiest moments of his life : he has made friends for the first time - including Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger - and he has become the Seeker on Gryffindor's Quidditch team. The school's headmaster Albus Dumbledore, considered by many to be the greatest wizard of modern times, has become something of a role model to him. Unfortunately, it has also become apparent that Voldemort's disappearance was only temporary - and, while many in the wizarding world have tried to pretend otherwise, his return cannot now be ignored.

Furthermore, Harry has now been identified as the `Chosen One' and is destined to battle with Voldemort again - with only one of the two surviving. Despite the enhanced security at Hogwarts, however, Harry can't feel entirely safe there. Professor Snape, the Potions teacher who has picked on Harry from the day he arrived, was a once noted Death Eater...and, despite Dumbledore's assurances, Harry has never trusted him. Draco Malfoy, Harry's arch-nemesis among the student body, is the son of another noted Death Eater...and Harry believes Draco is now following in his father's footsteps. As it turns out, Harry's suspicions may not be entirely groundless.

The film opens with Dumbledore surprising Harry wait a visit, towards the end of the summer holidays...and taking him onwards, to meet a former colleague called Professor Horace Slughorn. Dumbledore hopes he will return to the teaching staff - and has brought Harry along as `bait'. (He has a record of `collecting' talented young witches and wizards - and Dumbledore knows he wouldn't be able to resist Harry). Naturally, he caves in...though a return to Hogwarts would be a great relief to him. Voldemort - who also features in Slughorn's collection of notable past pupils - has desperately been trying to add him to the Death Eaters.

When he arrives back at Hogwarts, however, Harry's surprised to learn Slughorn is taking over as Potions teacher - with Snape finally taking over the Defence Against the Dark Arts job. The shuffle also means that Harry will be able to take both subjects - both are needed for him to become an Auror. (Snape had threatened to keep him out of the NEWT-level Potions class, for not achieving the top grade at OWL Level. Slughorn, on the other hand, is more than happy to accept him).

Since he hadn't bought any books for the Potions course in Diagon Alley, Harry borrows an old copy of the textbook from the classroom's store. It puts Harry at an immediate advantage over his classmates, thanks to some very helpful notes made by its previous owner...someone who called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince'.

Harry is also getting some additional 'classes' with Dumbledore - where he learns more about Voldemort's past. However, they're not very regular as Dumbledore seems to be spending a lot of time away from Hogwarts....and there is a little homework, that involves working closely with Slughorn.

Unsurprisingly, given the length of the book, not everything makes it into the film. While some of Harry's lessons with Dumbledore are dropped, and there's no mention of Grimmauld Place, the changes and the omissions at the film's climax surprised me most of all...there were a couple of scenes there, I'd have thought, would have been a film-maker's dream. Nevertheless, looking at the film in isolation - rather than comparing it to the book - I did find it very enjoyable.

It was very dark and stylish, while Helena Bonham Carter was - once again - outstanding in her far-too-brief appearance as Bellatrix. (I wish something had been done to extend her screen-time. A bit more of Luna would've been welcomed too). Malfoy is no longer the strutting, preening bully, and clearly struggles with what's expected of him throughout the year. Overall, I enjoyed it - while the Potter diehards mightn't be too happy with it, I found it a fun way to pass a couple of hours. [CR] This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Be the first to see footage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Additional scenes
J.K. Rowling: A Year In The Life
Close up with the cast of Harry Potter
Get a sneak peek at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort
What's on Your Mind?: Lightning-round Q&A with cast and crew
Cast members sum up their characters in One-Minute Drills

harrypotter.warnerbros.com





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