I thought the ending of the movie was somewhat anti-climactic. I am not 100% sure why that is – after the outstanding battle on the lake between Harry, Dumbledore and the Inferi, I was less than astounded by the scene at the top of the tower. Without spoiling the ending, I can honestly say that I cried more after reading the rich, descriptive words of J.K. Rowling, than I did watching what seemed to be a too-quick finish to what should have been the movie’s most emotional scene. It may have been that having read the book, I expected too much, but I also tend to think that had the screenwriter taken the time to delve further into Harry’s and Dumbledore’s exploits earlier in the film, the ending might have had more of an emotional pull. Also the scene where the students of Hogwarts stand with their wands held aloft, each little light combining to dispel a bit of the darkness in the sky felt a little contrived.
Despite my personal disappointment, I still think Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a good installment of the Potter saga. It feels almost like this film represents the tense moment of holding ones’ breath before engaging in battle. Poised on the edge of an epic war with darkness, this is the moment where a crush turns to love, and where childhood things like grades in school, and Quiddich, are put aside. This movie perfectly sets up the two films that will follow, and I hope that the heroics of all of the book characters that we know and love will come to life on the screen for film fans and Potter purists alike.
Article comments
1 - tink
GREAT review. Already amped to see it myself, you told me enough to egg me on and kept the spoilers to yourself.
I'd re-read the whole series up to this volume recently in anticipation of going to see it...just to remind me of what's been what. Funny you mention Tonks and Lupin, I remember being surprised learning about the two of them during the course of the book...it didn't talk too much about them either.
Anyway...thanks for a cool thumbs up.
2 - Robert
See, i was happy with the ending of the movie, as i hate the whole concept of drawing it out