Neuigkeiten von der Halbblutprinz-Front

Today I got to see the test screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It took place in Chicago at the AMC River East. It was a secret screening, no one in the audience was supposed to know before hand what they were seeing. I was one of only a small handful who already knew what we would be seeing, but I was sworn to secrecy. It was truly the hardest secret I ever had to keep.

It was not entirely complete, however aside from a few blue screens in the background, and one or two special effects missing, it was barely noticeable.

I am a huge fan of Ginny and Harry so I will start with them. There is a lot more Ginny than ever before. She nearly equaled Ron for screen time. We first see her at the Burrow when Harry arrives outside and the first thing he sees is her reading through the window. Harry Just stands there for a moment, gazing up at her. Although she is dating Dean Thomas she never looks happy with him, except when she is snogging him at The Three Broomsticks. She was on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. But the only game we saw was from the Felix Felicis chapter when Ron believes Harry has slipped him the potion. During Christmas at the Burrow, Ginny and Harry wind up on the stairs alone and start to lean into each other to kiss, when the attack on the Burrow interrupts them.

The Burrow does not burn down, but it is surrounded by a ring of fire conjured by Bellatrix. Harry, seeing Bellatrix, runs after her, and Ginny runs after him, right into Greyback. But Harry comes to the rescue and the two of them stand in a very high growing cornfield fending off attacks from the deatheaters. Lupin and Tonks come to the rescue, but that is I believe the last we see of them. There is no Tonks and Lupin relationship and although Tonks’ hair is brown there is no notice taken or any explanation given.

Tom Felton did a fantastic job in this film. Draco character remains true to the book, he even stamps on Harry’s nose. But, sadly, we never get the pleasure of seeing Crabb and Goyle disguised as girls. In fact, they are hardly in this movie. The Sectumsempra scene was really good, even without moaning Myrtle. As Harry and Draco throw spells at each other poor Nigel sits frozen on one of the toilets. Snape runs in shortly and McGonagall is in the doorway after Harry cast the spell (Draco never yells Crucio) and he does do a cure his wounds with a spell that sounds almost like song. But he does not use legilimency on Harry, who runs straight out of the bathroom to McGonagall. In the next scene Hermione and Ginny band together and tell Harry to hide the potions book so not even Harry can find it. Ginny takes Harry to the room of Requirement, and makes him close his eyes while she hides the book. Then she kisses him briefly. By the time he opens his eyes she has vanished.

There was definitely tension between Ron and Hermione. In the very beginning at the Burrow, Ron cleans off a bit of toothpaste from Hermione’s cheek. Later in Slughorn’s class she describes what she smells in the love potion and trails off with “spearmint toothpaste…” Lavender is quite nauseating and although she never gives Ron a necklace she does something equally as vomit worthy, steaming up a window on the Hogwarts Express with her breath and drawing a heart with “R + L” inside it. His relationship ends when he is unconscious and moaning Hermione’s name after being poisoned. He remains confused about why it ended but very relieved.

The kid who played young Tom Riddle was Brilliant. His voice and demeanor raised the hairs on the back of my neck. There is no mention of the Gaunts, but the scene in Slughorn’s office is there. Dumbledore however is truly surprised to learn that Riddle made 7 Horcruxes. It is in that scene that he realizes the ring is a Horcrux. He realizes what it was because when harry handles it briefly he moved his head like Voldemort.

We do get to hear Hagrid and Slughorn singing about Odo the Hero, and Harry is funny and a few lines where true to the book while under the influence of Felix Felicis. There is no Professor Trelawney, or the Dursleys. No Kreacher (no mention of inheriting Grimmauld Place whatsoever) or Dobby, or Bill and Fleur. There are no scenes with the Minister of Magic, and I don’t believe they even mentioned Fudge was sacked (though I may have missed it).

Oh and most sadly of all, no description from Luna about the dangers of the Rotfang Conspiracy. Nor does she commentate the Quidditch match. Luna’s role was very small, but she does have the lion hat and she is the one to find Harry on the train under the invisibility cloak with the help of her Spectrespecs.

Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes was awesome!!! I only wish it were a real store. Unfortunately no U-No-Poo sign, but it was still a sight to see.

The scene with Harry and Snape at the end was the least finished of the movie; the background was mostly screens and lights and occasionally a sound persons head. It was very close to the book, though I thought Snape could have been stronger and angrier, when Harry called him a coward. His some of his last words to Harry are “You may have your mother’s eyes but you are as dim as your father!”

As a huge fan of the books I have found myself getting more and more disappointed by all the changes in the movies and especially in Michael Gambon’s portrayal of Dumbledore who is my favorite character. That being said I was really pleasantly surprised by this movie. Many of the changes were actually entertaining and Gambon has improved enough to be tolerable. It was so much better than Order of the Phoenix. Overall I really enjoyed this movie and can not wait to see it again.

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Details on Cave Scene, Events on Astronomy Tower from HBP Screening:

I am so sorry everyone, in my haste to write my review I completely forgot the cave scene! So here it is-

Dumbledore meets Harry at the top of the Astronomy tower and they apparate to outside the cave. As they are leaving Harry is surprised that that they can apparate from within the Hogwarts grounds, and Dumbledore says something along the lines of “That’s the beauty of being headmaster.”

The scene they apparate to, despite being slightly unfinished was nonetheless absolutely breathtaking. Cliffs and huge waves dominate the scene. Dumbledore finds their way to the anti-chamber and slits his hand (for you star trek fans – he does it in a Klingon way – straight across the inside of his hand). The wall crumbles away and Dumbledore explains to Harry that Voldemort would have set up defenses around the Horcrux.

The cave is very different than what I had pictured and than all the fan art I have seen, but still a chilling and amazing sight. It reminded me a bit of a normal cave mixed with the ice crystal place Superman goes to in one of his movies. The whole cave is a vast formation of huge crystals, jagged and rough, jutting out from the ceiling walls and floor.

They make their way to the water and Dumbledore cautions Harry not to touch it and he starts to raise the boat with magic. Then he has Harry reel it in with a very heavy long chain.

The island is a formation of crystals as is the basin. Now the only really cheesy and unspectacular thing about this whole scene is that they use a large white clam shell partially imbedded in a small rock to scoop up the potion. In my opinion it looked rather silly. Dumbledore tell Harry to force him to drink the potion and Gambon once again does a slightly better than usual job being forced to drink the potion.

At one point towards the end you can very softly hear Dumbledore mumble something like “please don’t hurt them, it’s all my fault.” But it was almost inaudible and I doubt anyone who has not read the book caught the line at all. Then after the last scoop is drunk, Gambon kind of goes back to his rather poor, unresearched acting and says with far too much strength. “Harry, Water.”

But first Harry goes back to the Basin and recovers the locket and in the background we can hear Dumbledore saying “Harry, water” getting slightly weaker each time he says it. Harry attempts to fill the basin with water the aguamenti charm, but can not get the scoop the water up with that silly shell. After trying several times and Dumbledore starting to collapse he goes to the lake to fill it there.

Suddenly the light that was emanating from the island with the basin goes out, and Harry lights his wand (most unfortunately with the non-existent spell luminous-maximus, or whatever it was he used in the beginning of the third movie), and slowly reaches down to scoop up the lake water. The moment he touches it a hand reaches out and grabs Harry’s wrist. The whole audience jumped in fear. Harry tries to fend off the inferi with all the spells we hear him try in the books. But in the end he is pulled down into the water.

Before I go on I must say the Inferi scene was one of the most spectacular of this movie. They looked a bit like the newer version of the Dementor, but much more human shaped and brownish. I fear I am not describing them well, because they were truly a scary site to see. The camera angles captured the scene of Harry trying hopelessly to defend himself and Dumbledore from them as they clambered onto the island from all different angles and the sheer number of them eventually overwhelms Harry and he is pulled down deep into the lake.

While Harry is underwater the view we have is from below him looking up and we can see the whole island from below as well. Suddenly the Inferi holding Harry releases him and he swims up to a surface covered in ferocious flame. The “ring of fire” Dumbledore conjures is an unbelievable sight, far more than I think anyone pictured in the books, but incredibly spectacular. Harry and Dumbledore climb back in the boat and the scene then cuts to Harry helping Dumbledore through the cave.

The every so anticipated lines of (I am paraphrasing) “Don’t worry sir, I’ll get us back” and Dumbledore replying “I am not worried, I am with you” are said. Executed very well by Radcliffe though rather poorly in my opinion by Gambon who clearly does not know the significant emotional value we fans know those lines have.

They then apparate back to the top of the astronomy tower. There is no dark mark in the sky. But as Dumbledore says he needs Severus not Madame Pomfrey they hear a commotion and Dumbledore orders Harry to go and hide and not come out or interfere. A command the book Harry would never have followed, but that the movie Harry would obey. Harry goes underneath the wooden floor of the tower where Dumbledore is standing where he can see everything through large gaps between the wood slates. Draco arrives and Tom does a brilliant job as a boy trying to be fierce and terrified at the same time. Some lines from the book are rather butchered by Dumbledore saying things like “Draco, you are not an assassin.” Then the Death Eaters arrive all in masks except Bellatrix and Greyback. Bellatrix urges Draco to do it though his wand lowers slightly.

Meanwhile under the floor Harry who is watching terrified with his wand at the ready is sneaked up on by Snape, whose wand is also out and puts his finger to his lips to make sure Harry stays quiet. My description does not quite capture that scene well enough, but I was surprised to find my heart ripping, perhaps because I knew what was going to happen when Snape appeared there. Snape quietly appears above, and Dumbledore, with far too much strength says “Severus Please.”

And Snape does the Avada Kadavra, and Bellatrix is ecstatic. The scene with Dumbledore being lifted into the air was unfortunately unfinished because we see him up in the air and then apparently falling down the side of the tower, but there was no motion yet. He is stationary in both scenes. I am sure more special effects will be added later. Then Bellatrix casts the Dark Mark (another amazing updated special effect with a black smoke skull and snake tongue). The Deatheaters all run out, destroying a bit of the castle in a euphoric tantrum along the way. There is no battle inside Hogwarts and the only one to chase them is Harry.

There was no Amycus or Alecto anywhere I could see. Oh, and there is no Rosmerta either. Forgot to mention that before.

Anyway, the Deatheaters set Hagrid’s hut on fire and the scene I already described happens between Harry and Snape. Harry then returns to find the whole school gathered around Dumbledore’s body, McGonagall in the front completely stunned and silent. Harry kneels down at Dumbledore’s side, brushes a hair out of his face and finds the locket, but does not open it. Clutching the locket He starts to cry and Ginny goes and holds him also crying. Then following McGonagall’s lead, everyone lights there wand (I think they all murmur something in unison but I can’t remember what) and slowly raise them as one in the air. Final shot of that scene is from above with all the lighted wands surrounding the tower, Dumbledore, Harry and Ginny.

First, let me explain that what we saw was a pre-release test screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – the first one, apparently, which is always held in Chicago stemming back to the days of the first two films. There were, if I had to guess, I’d say 300 people who made it, and none of the people I talked to knew what we were going to see beforehand. All we had been told was that the movie was expected to be rated PG-13, no video or audio recording devices were in any way allowed (they confiscated our phones) and the purpose of the screening was to obtain feedback from the diverse audience prior to the film’s actual release. Rather standard, I’m sure.

While sitting in the theatre all we could do was speculate what the movie would be. We were completely unsure, until something happened that made me look twice. David Heyman entered the auditorium and started talking to an associate. Although I hadn’t met him in person before, I’d seen him in enough interviews that, once I saw him, my furthest hopes came to mind. Sure enough, the lights dimmed, and it was announced that we were going to be seeing a rough cut version, not fully completed but generally in tact, of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Onward to the movie.

We knew they had filmed a bridge collapse scene which in the book was mentioned during the first chapter, “The Other Minister.” This makes for a great opening sequence and, although we don’t meet the Muggle Prime Minister, we get to see the disaster happen from the Muggle perspective. Actually it’s from both Muggle and a wizarding perspective that we see what happens – a really cool trick which you can do with film. It’s pulled off quite nicely. Already I like the style and care that is put in to characterizing people in this world who we don’t even meet.

The Dursleys are not in this film, but that information was also already available. Instead, we find Harry waiting for Dumbledore, and I won’t say where except to say that they’ve constructed a scene which I think works well. The movie has already given a couple of seconds to reflect quickly on the horrors of Harry’s previous year, and we are ready as moviegoers to watch Harry pick up the journey and go further from there.

Harry and Dumbledore Side-Along Apparate (the special effect, which appeared to be completed, was perfect in matching the canon description of the act) to the village where Slughorn is staying, and one of my largest concerns for the movie was getting to see Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn. Don’t worry. Throughout the movie, I was continuously impressed with how they adapted the character to the film, and to say that he does reflect my Slughorn from the books satisfactorily, with a little extra, is true. The scene where they meet Slughorn is surprisingly close to the events of the book, as is most of this movie, actually. I was surprised and delighted to see Couch-Slughorn put to film.

The events of “Spinner’s End” take place also in the beginning of the film. We’ve received a promo picture of Alan Rickman’s Snape and Helen McCrory’s Narcissa doing the Unbreakable Vow, and that’s why - it’s in the movie. Alan Rickman looks good. They’ve tailored his Snape suit and he’s got nicer hair, the full main villain treatment I suspect. The scene is compellingly acted and doesn’t feel out of place with the many events of the start of the film.

And thus, the movie continues. With the initial story-setting behind them, although it didn’t feel rushed at all, we are taken to the Burrow. Here is where I’ll speed up the review.

A lot of the things people seemed to dislike about the fifth HP film, such as vast amounts of time passing in visually appealing yet otherwise disappointing montages, does not happen in this. The film maintains its director’s neat visuals, however. Right from the initial Burrow scene, it is clear that Mr. Yates has not lost his creative edge and rather moved on to do different and wonderful things with the camera.

The entire movie seems to keep its pace, and I think one of the things that has helped the filmmakers is a clear-cut set of events spread almost evenly throughout the year in the book. There’s not too much stuff going on, rather just enough things at significant enough times of year so that they can document the full year without it feeling rushed. Again I mention the closeness of the movie to the book particularly. Some scenes are almost verbatim, but the ones that aren’t serve to really enhance the movie’s impact and its ability to stand alone as a film.

All of my concerns about Bonnie Wright as Ginny were washed away in her first scene. Book Six has either too much snogging or too much Voldemort – neither of which I complained about and both which I rather enjoyed – but this movie completely balances the two quite nicely. It seems effortless almost. But there are really dark scenes and then there are very fun scenes. If you know the characters from having read the books, I think you’ll get more out of the movie than those who haven’t and that’s surprising to me. For the first time, it seems, the filmmakers have made a movie which is REALLY true to the characters of the book and almost not afraid to leave newcomers with the shorter stick.

Also important to mention is that this movie is in NO way, at all, in any shape or form, a children’s movie. I’ve said that before regarding the Potters, but this time it couldn’t be truer. Everything about this movie screams serious intensity, like the Katie Bell necklace scene, and it makes me so happy that they could make such an intense movie, because it gives me real hope for the adaptations of the seventh book. But I think you should think twice before bringing your kid brother to see it.

Such effort is spent on the characters of the trio throughout the course of the movie. In fact, Emma Watson’s never been better. There’s a moment in this movie where I almost screamed “THAT’s my book Hermione!” which hadn’t happened to me since the first movie. Similarly Rupert has had some REAL fun scenes to play with in this film. The Lavender subplot is hilarious and, surprisingly, not annoying at all. And oh, what a joy it is to see Quidditch back!

The movie focuses on the trio perhaps more than ever, but the surrounding characters are well portrayed. Matthew Lewis as Neville again has a small amount of screen time, but we all know how awesome his role is going to be in the next movie. Even in scenes where the characters we all know by now aren’t featured or speaking, their characters show through. That’s no doubt due to improved acting all around, and a seriously commendable tolerance for their bit parts. They do the characters well. Evanna Lynch’s Luna gets perhaps equal screen time as she did in the last movie, and many things from her character in the books are brought to screen and fun to see.

Also commendable is the new casting. Cormac McClaggen’s character and Lavender Brown’s really help to push the school side of the plot throughout the film. The movie almost relies on their convincing roles at times because it’s easier to forget that we’re in school with how dark and mysterious everything else is that’s going on.

There are many scenes with Draco. I’m surprised I haven’t mentioned him yet. From early on, Tom Felton has a lot to work with in this movie and it’s very pleasant to see him get to play his character for a good amount of time. The movie is sympathetic – the story focuses on his plight as a subplot, and we’ll often see him lurking around the castle in the backgrounds of other scenes. We’re being “reminded” that he’s got his mission, without being told everything.

Michael Gambon, in this movie, has finally satisfied me. He has the right inflection of the lines which is necessary for Dumbledore, and altogether seems to be really with it. The climax of the film is very wonderfully done, and throughout the film you are able to embrace his Dumbledore quite nicely.

Another great thing about this film is the reappearance of the little things. Tom Riddle’s diary, from Chamber of Secrets, and The Marauder’s Map, for instance. It’s the little things that add continuity from previous films which I’m a stickler for. Also, the twins! While I realize they’re not props, by far my FAVORITE scene in the movie is the one that takes place at Weasley’s Whizarding Wheezes! It’s so good to see them after the initial subdued opening of the film and their scene, while about five minutes long, is the best. The filmmakers simply couldn’t leave it out – and it does well to show that some people in the wizarding world are able to break through all the fear going on out there. Diagon Alley is otherwise almost completely empty – Ollivander’s shop is empty. Can you believe they mention it? They do. They even have time to walk inside and feel sad.

Next to mention are the Pensieve scenes. It’s been confirmed that there are a lot fewer in the movie than there are in the book. I didn’t have a problem with scenes cut from Movie Five, and I have even less of a problem with them not being included in Six. What the filmmakers have done is meticulously crafted a movie to portray the events that happen in the book and to tell a really compelling story which includes all the most adaptable parts they could to fit the time frame. Would I have liked to have seen The Gaunts? Maybe. But that’s easily a ten to fifteen minute scene which has little to do with the actual path ahead of Harry. There are some things which I’m proud that I can just read them in the book and they’ll always be there, so well done, without a film adaptation.

There are only two Pensieve scenes included. The scene from the teaser trailer, Young Tom Riddle in the orphanage, and the scene in Slughorn’s classroom both shortened and elongated just like in the book where we learn about Horcruxes. These three journeys into the Pensieve are so well-placed in the film and the film doesn’t feel short of them. Nor is there too much snogging. Overall, once more, a great balance between.

The cave scene at the end of the book could have been messed up so badly in the film, but it’s not. It’s amazing. It’s exactly what I imagined and conveys amazing emotional impact. The special features are great. Watching Harry force-feed Dumbledore is just as raw and scary as it was in the book. Dan Radcliffe’s acting all throughout is top-notch.

I forgot to mention the Half-Blood Prince subplot. With so many subplots, it’s a wonder how they all fit into the movie so well, but they do! They weren’t cut! And Slug Club scenes, oh yes, there are a few. And Quidditch, as mentioned. So much is back I am overwhelmed with how much of each that I didn’t think we’d see.

Finally, the climax. It, too, is adapted very well. There is such emotion behind it and, when the score is completed, I’m sure it will be one of the defining moments of the series. I liked watching it much, much better than Sirius’ death scene. There was a funny moment for me at the Burrow with Lupin and Tonks and Mr. Weasley in the room when I thought, “Hey wait a minute, where’s Gary Oldman?” Dumbledore’s death will stick.

The movie score, although we did hear an un-finalized version, was great. They have used some recurring themes, including several from the Prisoner of Azkaban film! I was very in awe to hear the tune to “Something Wicked This Way Comes” set to book six events - so ominous and truly perfect. I have full faith that, when completed, it will be wonderful.

After the movie I introduced myself to David Heyman. Not only was he there, but so was Alan Horn, president of Warner Bros. And David Yates, the director, David Barron the co-producer, and Mark Day the film editor! They all sat for a twenty minute “focus group” afterwards which I did not attend, and when they came out I spoke with them at length about the film and how I felt it was a big success.

I wrote this review so that I could express to everyone how worth the wait this movie is going to be. I know it’s been delayed and I know that stinks. But they’re going to use the time they now have, screen it some more, and a better movie will be made as a result of it, I am completely convinced. I can’t wait to see proper movie trailers, a movie poster, and all of that because my worries are completely gone. I am sure that the movie I saw is not the final film and once the CGI is completed and feedback considered, there will be plenty more to make it a completely different experience.

Seeing it is still a bit of a blur, but hopefully this helps the wait, and to assure you that the people who are making the movie have the fans’ concerns at heart. We all took surveys which begged us to be as specific as possible about what we did and didn’t like, who our favourite characters were, questions about the pace of the film and all of that. This movie is going to be the best one yet. They have the time and the will-power to make it so.

9/7/08