Harry Potter Mania

Yes, the mania lives on as we now talk about speculations on how the last HP film series will be split into two. I may not have read the book yet and no matter how much I wanted to, I just couldn't find time as a full time mom. It is rather a 'wait and see' for me.

Source:
Goyle actor spills the goods on where the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows split will be -- maybe

As most Potter-philes are aware, the film manifestation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two films, scheduled for release in November 2010 and July 2011. Speculation on the exact location of the end of the first film and the beginning of the second has been as wild as an outraged veela (take a look at the Book Examiner's ponderings on five possible split points here.)

In a U.K. question-and-answer session, Jonathon Herdman, the actor that plays Malfoy's trusty Slytherin sidekick, Goyle, revealed that the split would occur immediately after Harry, Ron, and Hermione have been captured by the Snatchers. The second installment of the film would pick up at Malfoy Manor.

The director and producer have repeatedly said that the split point could change so this could all be a sound and fury signifying nothing.... I confess though, I'm a little disappointed. I kind of had my heart set on the first movie ending after Ron ditches Harry and Hermione. An ending like that would certainly have inspired more people to read the book just to find out what happens.

SPOILER WARNING! Here, comparison between the film and the book is criticized.

From source:

July 28, 11:17 AM
When a new Harry Potter film is released, comparisons between it and the book on which it is based on come out at a rapid pace. The most dominant of which are what the movie DID NOT include. While many fans and critics have given “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” positive reviews, it was not immune to this sort of criticism. Do the missing (or additional) scenes really matter? The following is a list of some of the material that was present in the book, but not in the film, and whether or not it truly affected the film.

1) There was no funeral for Dumbledore. In the novel, Centaurs and Merfolk all pay homage to the fallen wizard. In the prior novels, a relationship between Dumbledore and these creatures have been established, but not so in the films. The movie is currently just under three hours, and to tack on a funeral scene could push it over the three hour mark. There was no funeral, but all the students raised their wands to eliminate the dark mark hanging in the sky. The right music accompanies this scene. A funeral scene is rumored for the next film, but Dumbledore still got the send off he deserved in this one.

2) There were too few memories scenes regarding Voldemort’s past. In the novel, readers are treated to seeing Voldemort’s mother and family before he was even born. They go on to learn of his life right after Hogwarts up to applying for the position of Defense against the Dark Arts (and the curse that befell that position when Dumbledore turned him down). The film does provide movie audiences with the vital information they need to set up the next film with an exception. Harry does not learn of Valdemort’s obsession with certain treasures from the founders of Hogwarts. As far as he knows, a Horcrux can be ANYTHING. This issue will have to be addressed in the next film.

3) The Dursley’s were absent. They always provide some comic fun for the movies, but their presence was not needed to get this film moving.

4) Very little time was spent in the Weasley’s joke shop. It is established in the book that Harry provided the funds to Fred and George to open their joke shop. That does not happen in the movies. While any Harry Potter fan would love the film to spend more time in the famed joke shop, it would be time spent that is not needed for the film to work. The black smoke and love potions are introduced, and these are the only elements that are needed for the plot.

5) The new Minister of Magic is not introduced. Again, the introduction of Rufus Scrimgeour is not needed to move the plot of Harry Potter 6 forward.

6) Harry is not hiding under the invisibility cloak in the tower scene. Instead Harry is down one level looking up on the action as Dumbledore ordered. He does not take any action to save Dumbledore when he is killed by Snape. The scene unfolds showing Snape’s actions completely taking Harry by surprise. There was nothing he can do. How this hits Harry as far whatever guilt he may have will unfold in the next film.

7) There is no attack on Hogwarts and no battle between the Aurors and the Death Eaters. This turns out to be a major plot hole in the film. The reason why there was no battle, according to director David Yates, is that since there is a battle in the next film (Part TWO of the next film). They didn’t want to make viewers feel the series was repeating itself. That is all well and good; but, now Draco fixing the cabinet so the Death Eaters can invade the school makes no sense. His ONLY mission is the kill Dumbledore and, if he can’t, then Snape must, since he made the unbreakable bond. There doesn’t seem to be any reason why the Death Eaters have to be there. Could it be to make sure Draco carries out his mission? Perhaps, but it is a weak reason. David Yates left plot holes in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, his first feature film. This is the biggest one he leaves in this one.

8) The Death Eaters attack and destroy the Burrow, the home of the Weasley’s. Since book six does not have that many action sequences aside for the attack on Hogwarts, the filmmakers added this scene to help compensate. Since the scene does not appear in the book, the audience does not know what will happen; something the fans don’t get too much of in the films. The scene does provide a good level of excitement and helps solidify the pending relationship between Harry and Ginny. While it is not known, one can speculate that there will be no wedding scene in the next movie. Bill Weasley has never been introduced on screen, nor is there any mention of his pending nuptials. Since the Burrow have been destroyed, audiences do not need to expect an upcoming wedding.

9) The relationship between Harry and the Half-Blood Prince is diluted in the film. Harry has the positive relationship he has with Slughorn, in part due to the text book he possesses. Once he hurts Draco Malfoy, he has Ginny hide the book on him when they share their first kiss. When Harry is chasing after Snape and tries using the same spell on him that he used on Malfoy, it is then revealed that Snape is the prince. It is almost thrown in as an afterthought and certainly could have been brought about in a better way. What is also missing from that scene is how Snape is almost trying to teach Harry a lesson on how he must keep his mind closed or any wizard worth anything will know what spells he is about to cast.

10) Too much time was spent on the romance aspect of the film. While it is true that many of these scenes really let the actors flex some of their acting muscles in ways they have not been able to in the prior films, it’s worth it.

The list can go on and on (Harry learning he inherited Sirius home, apparition lessons), most of these are not needed to move the plot forward or can be addressed in the next film. One can also look at these films as a whole and ask if they work had the books never existed. For the most part, the film stands on its own quite well.

July 22, 10:36 AM
by Karen Plumley

Parents may be wondering whether or not the new Harry Potter movie entitled, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is appropriate for their young children. A great way to spend a rainy New England afternoon would be to take the kiddos to the movies, and it sure has been raining an awful lot this summer. The truth is, the sixth installment of the very popular Harry Potter series (rated PG, a notch below its two predecessors which were both PG-13) tones down the frightening images and violence significantly.

Instead, the movie highlights the importance and poignancy of the bond between Harry and Dumbledore, and the blossoming relationships of its young main characters, providing the foundation and transition required for the adventure to move smoothly into its last two episodes. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two movies, due out in November 2010 and July 2011 respectively.

Harry Potter and the Raging Teenage Hormones

That being said, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince does focus on what many critics are calling the "raging teenage hormones" of its lead heroes, and there is plenty of "snogging" going on to insure that tween audiences everywhere break out into fits of the giggles. Generally, the kissing scenes tend toward the humorous and innocent, with one sentimental kiss between Harry and Ginny that may just make Twilight fans jealous.

Harry Potter and the Not-So-Bloody Violence

In general, younger children who have successfully read the books on their own will be fine with the latest Harry Potter film, and may even be slightly bored at the lack of action. The most violent and explosive battle scene occurring at the end of the book was completely left out, to the dismay of many Harry Potter fans (myself included), but concerned parents will probably be relieved by the omission.

The most disturbing scenes that did occur in the film were the following:

1. Katie Bell being cursed by a necklace (the most frightening sequence, in my opinion)
2. Draco Malfoy being the victim of a vicious curse performed by Harry (who was later horrified and showed remorse)
3. An exciting chase in the field behind the Burrow involving Harry, Ginny, Lupin, Tonks, Bellatrix, and the werewolf Fenrir Greyback (who was in human form, but still extremely ugly)
4. A trip into a cave where Dumbledore and Harry are hunting for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, and Harry endures a shocking hand grab by an Inferi
5. Ron getting poisoned by a tainted glass of wine (passes out and foams at the mouth)
6. The death of a beloved character (kids that read the book will expect this one)

Overall, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is very appropriate for most tweens and all teenagers, and probably will be fine for younger children who have already read the books independently. For parents who are disturbed by the thought of some of the scenes listed above, they may want to wait until their children are a little older. There's plenty of time, after all. This sure-to-be-a-classic tale of mystery, magic, and coming of age will exist to entertain youngsters and adults for many years to come. One must also remember that the Harry Potter literary series authored by J. K. Rowling has done more to revive a love of reading in upper elementary children (at which time reading for pleasure usually declines) than anything else in recent decades.