Harry Potter!!

So, my family went to see "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" last night. I loved it! It was probably my favorite one of the series so far. But still, I was disappointed with how much they left out. That always brings up a question...why can't Hollywood make a movie exactly like the book? I know, I know. They always have an excuse, something like, "Some parts of books don't translate well onto the screen." It seems to me like they're trying to please casual movie goers instead of the real fans. The millions of fans out there who have bought and read all the books would gladly sit through an hours long movie, even if it is lacking action in the middle (which I think was their excuse for putting in the Burrow attack scene), because it's just like the book that they love. Anyway...back to the movie. =)

It was paced pretty well, and didn't feel as long as it was. All of the romances (Lavender/Ron, Harry/Ginny, and then the beginning of Hermione/Ron) worked out nicely, following along pretty well with the book. Plus, they provided lots of comic moments, LOL. Dumbledore was awesome throughout the whole movie. Luna was lovely...she's one of my favorite characters ever in a book, and I just wish we got to see more of her. One of my favorite parts is when she was standing in the corridor, waiting for Harry to go to the Christmas party, in this dress...

Neville was sadly missing, too. He was there, in the background of several scenes, but I don't believe he had one single line. Too bad. I was disappointed in how much they left out as far as memories and information about the Horcruxes. I really wanted to see the Gaunt family memories. Tom Felton as Draco was perfect...he actually made you feel sorry for him. Snape was perfect, as usual. Bellatrix was perfect, as evil as she should be. Isn't it amazing how the villians are always portrayed so perfectly? The ending was sad, but I wasn't as close to tears as I was from the book. The raised lit wand thing was cheesy, and I didn't like it. But the cave scene was good. Those Inferi....creepy!

I knew it was coming. I just read the book the other day. "He flung himself over to the edge of the rock and plunged the goblet into the lake, bringing it up full to the brim of icy water that did not vanish. 'Sir-here!' Harry yelled, and lunging foward, he tipped the water clumsily over Dumbledore's face. It was the best he could do, for the icy feeling on his arm not holding the cup was not the lingering chill of the water. A slimy white hand had gripped his wrist..." I knew it was going to happen, and I braced myself. But still, when that hand grabbed him, I jumped out of my skin, along with my brother next to me and everyone else in the theater. The guy next to my dad actually threw something he was holding in his hand. When we left the theater, I was laughing so hard about it that I cried (which also had something to do with the tears I had held back at the end of the movie...that was a good excuse to let them out). I was expected the people to be really loud and rude, like they were last summer when we saw "Prince Caspian." But actually, it was pretty nice, except for when a group of girls were giggling during the tense Sectumsempra scene (why? I don't know...) and when one of those girls randomly said, and very loudly, "He's so hot!" during a closeup of Ron Weasley. Okay, then. Thanks for sharing.

Everyone go see the movie! It's awesome. But maybe it's better if you don't read the book the week before you see the movie. Anyway, now I'm in a Harry Potter mood and I think I'm going to have to read "The Deathly Hallows" again. =) And I leave you with this quote from Ginny Weasley about Harry that, in the simplest way, sums up the whole Harry Potter series...

"He's covered in blood again. Why is it he's always covered in blood?" =)

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)