Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince by Lewis Boulton

When the latest instalment of JK Rowling’s epic tale of good and evil hit the big screen, fans far and wide when wild (me included). The Harry Potter films have always been a benchmark for the latest special effects, and with a star-studded cast and a brilliant story to back it up, surely it would be the hit of the decade?

Ah...no. Okay, the special effects sent crowds “oohing” and “aahing” and we finally we saw that kiss, but it is really all about battles and romance? We start the story in a small café on a London Underground platform, with our protagonist trying to get away from the struggles of the wizard world. It took a few flicks of my rather tattered books of this sixth story to find: this didn’t happen!

This was the downfall of what could have been the film of the summer. Too many meaningless scenes were added and the vital parts taken out. Diehard book fans knew from just the first scene that this wasn’t the story we know and love, which immediately cast a shadow over the rest of the film.

People that have only seen the films may have a different opinion a much darker and romantic feel to it, which does, for once, stick to the book. However, I thought the film over-relied on this, and some, as they only have seen captivating settings and heart-throbbing actors pouring out their emotions.

Compared to the other films, the Half-Blood Prince has parts were so depressing I had to think that watching grass grow would make me happier.

Just because the film is so different from the book, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t something that can be enjoyed. The battle at the Burrow (although completely pointless) was incredible, and the train journeys always give me a sense of excitement.

To conclude, this film depends on what you want and what you expect. For film lovers, this will introduce you next generation movies and will captivate you from start to finish (and after the film!). However, for the diehard fans, this may disappoint you slightly. The plot just doesn’t work with JK Rowling’s fantastic creations. However, as displeasing as my review sounds, I would still see this modern marvel as it is a fantastic escapist movie.