Oh this is impossible. I've written 5 different first lines of this poxy review and deleted them all because they all tailed off into nothing. Which is kind of prophetic...
Ok, the first thing that I'll have to mention is the lack of screentime for Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, David Thewlis, Natalia Tena and the Phelps twins, but I'll always accept slabs of disappointment in the intermediate movie, but only as long as everyone gets to kick some serious arse in the last 2 movies. The thing with these books are that they're 'harry potter and the...', meaning that eventually, every scene would be revolving around Daniel Radcliffe, with Rupe and Ems a close second. This would of course mean that every other actor would be given adequate screen time just enough to fill a plot hole, or just be there for decoration to please the fans. This is particular for Matt Lewis, who after his strong performance in the last movie, is reduced to carrying a tray in the Slug Club and walking down a street wearing earmuffs. But like I said, slabs of disappointment.
On the flipside of that is the enhanced screentime for the cast that does get to shine. Rupert Grint reinforces his reputation as a comedic master. His entire performance during the love potion/poisoning scene had the entire cinema roaring with laughter. Even Emma, who I'd never really considered anything above a competant actress, really starts to dig her nails in, and not before time. The accuracy with which she plays the potion-making scene is bang on. Alan Rickman finally gets time to BE Snape. before he was just a sneering git that hated Harry, but now he's the character JK meant him to be.
Jim Broadbent. Now, to start, I was slightly irritated by the stupid grin he always carried, luckily it wasn't constant, and the brilliance shone through, none more so than the scene in hagrid's hut. He carried the role so well i'll always picture him when i read the character.
Tom felton. Tom, Tom, Tom... I knew well with full confidence that Tom would be able to do this and by golly I was right. he's brilliant, and totally fucking nails the part. From being a simple bully with nothing important to do (seriously, I can count his lines in the last film on one hand), to carrying the heaviest burden imaginable, he. just. nails. it. 'nuff said.
Jessie Cave is a newcomer as Lavender Brown, but could easily double for Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, only less bunnies and more wrackspurts - Brilliant.
Bonnie Wright - perfect. Her subtle flirting with Harry to the kiss (finally) is delivered perfectly.
Ok, to plot, and what's been cut and changed. Like i said earlier, while I'll find a particular change or omission irksome, even perplexing, I'll hold my tongue until the fat lady sings, and bitch about any plot holes left open then. but for the now -
Ginny hiding the potions book - Harry hiding the book was a mechanic for locating the Diadem in the final HP book. The fact Ginny does it means that Harry won't know where the diadem is, so Ginny will have greater inclusion in it's discovery in HP7 Pt2 (its official name in the studio).
The addition of the attack on the Burrow - simply a means to snip several minutes of conversation with several people about the same thing (Harry's suspicions about Draco) and blow shit up as a bonus. Also gave Tonks, Remus and the twins' something to do.
The scene in the cave - spot on. Totally, beyond words.
Sectumsempra - adequate. I didn't particularly want to see Draco on the floor with his chest wide open while he gushes blood and scrabbles at his chest. What was on screen was more than enough, thank you.
The omission of Dumbledore's funeral. Look at it this way. The only thing that came out of the funeral that isn't in the movie is the small meeting between Harry and Scrimgeour, where Scrimgeour wanted harry to stand by the ministry, but Harry tells him to shove it. This will be coming in the next movie as bill nighy has been cast as Rufus Scrimgeour for HP7 Pt1 so there's be plenty of chances for harry to tell the ministry to go fuck itself then.
I'd read a few reviews of this film before I saw it, and while the reviews were mainly positive, the overall impression I got was that the authors left the theatre with a sense of unfulfilment - a yearning to know what the hell is going to happen next. I agree. But then, that's the point,. and as such, Yates has nailed it. That's what the book was - a prelude to book 7. I've said before, while it's a great book, it's not a strong tale on its own. It's the prologue year to a shitstorm of coolness to come. That's why, in my belief, there won't be a total of 8 movies. There'll be 5 normal-length movies, and a final 7.5 hour move on 3 DVDs.
I shall have to set aside a special evening to watch all those, because there's no way in hell I'll be able to watch just the one
I will conclude, however, by confiding that the title of the movie, and any mystery surrounding the Prince, is thrown to the back of the room and largely ignored for most of the film. The final revelation from Snape is so dull and has been given so little attention that no-one cares. half-blood who?
