![Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81KSKfKd9hL.jpg)
Product Description Own one of this year's coolest Christmas gifts: Harry Potter and the Half Blood-Prince Limited Death Mask Edition, offered exclusively through .co.uk. While you cannot wear the mask, it definitely will be a fine collector's item to show off on your DVD shelf.Adolescent wizard-in-training Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts for another year of schooling and learns more about the dark past of the boy who grew up to become Lord Voldemort in this, the sixth installment of the film series that originated from the writings of author J.K. Rowling. There was a time when Hogwarts was thought of as a safe haven, but thanks to Voldemort's tightening grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, that simply isn't the case anymore. Suspecting that the castle may even harbour an outright threat, Harry finds his investigation into the matter sidelined by Dumbledore's attempts to prepare him for the monumental battle looming ever closer on the horizon. In order to discover the key to Voldemort's defences, Dumbledore enlists the aid of resourceful yet unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, who may have a clue as to their enemy's Achilles' heel. Meanwhile, teenage hormones cause the students at Hogwarts to lose focus on their true mission. As Harry and Dean Thomas clash for the affections of the lovely Ginny, Romilda Vane attempts to woo Ron away from Lavender Brown with some particularly tasty chocolates. Even Hermione isn't immune from the love bug, though she tries her hardest to suppress her growing jealousy and keep her emotions bottled up. But there is one student who remains completely aloof from the romance blossoming all around, and he intends to leave a dark impression on his classmates. With tragedy looming ever closer, it begins to appear as if peace will prove elusive in Hogwarts for some time to come.Special Features: Disc 1: Feature filmDisc 2: Behind the Story: Close Up with the Cast of Harry Potter: Hosts Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) and Alfie Enoch (Dean Thomas) lead us on an entertaining look at the cast of Harry Potter as they explore their interests away from acting and spend a day on set with the production team: • Editing with Daniel Radcliffe: Daniel and editor Mark Day have a lighthearted conversation about film editing and how to get the right shot for a scene. • Special Effects with Matthew Lewis, Oliver Phelps and Tom Felton: The guys get a "science lesson" from Special Effects Supervisor John Richardson and technician Matthew Harlow. • Owl Training with Jessie Cave: Jessie heads outside for training tips with “hootie” and owl trainer Guillaume Grange. • Stunt Training with Rupert Grint: Rupert shows off his thrill for danger with the stunt department. • Costume Designs with Evanna Lynch: Evanna shares her jewelry designs with Costume Designer Jany Temime. • Art with Bonnie Wright: Bonnie and graphic designer Eduardo Lima show off the fun props, products and set designs. • Behind The Camera with James Phelps: In his debut performance in the assistant director department, James actually becomes a crew member on set. • Make-Up with Emma Watson: Emma and designer Amanda Knight talk about the biggest challenges on this year’s film. One Minute Drills: The cast has 60 seconds to describe their character’s personality, history, relationships and other traits before time runs out. Extras: J.K. Rowling: A Year In The Life: A fascinating and intimate look into the life of J.K. Rowling over the last year of writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What’s On Your Mind: Hosted by Tom Felton, the cast is put on the spot when asked a series of rapid-fire questions on their likes and dislikes. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ - Sneak Peak: Get an inside look at the amazing world of magic and excitement being created at Universal Orlando® Resort in Florida. Additional Scenes: • Harry and Hermione Walk Through the Halls of Hogwarts • Harry and Hermione Discuss Marauder’s Map • Harry, Ron & Hermione Discuss The Vanishing Cabinet • Harry and Dumbledore Arrive At Cave Entrance • Harry and Dumbledore Leave Cave • Clouds Gather Over Hogwarts as Flitwick Conducts Choir • Harry Joins Ron, Hermione and Ginny In The Common Room • Harry and Hermione Discuss Ron At Astronomy Tower .co.uk Review The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that "He Who Must Not Be Named" has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is "the Chosen One"--the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of magic from the first few books—it's dark, dangerous, and scary. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. It's in these intriguing scenes that the dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the previous movies' many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to uncover a memory about Voldemort's darkest weapon--the Horcrux. Despite the long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date. More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. --Jordan Thompson
S**Y
Wonderful film that shows Grint and Broadbent in magic form
Girls, Quidditch and a mysterious potion book distract Harry Potter (Radcliffe) from the dangerous events outside Hogwarts whilst Dumbledore sets him a difficult task.After the controversial switch from last November to this Summer the sixth instalment to the best selling book series of all time is finally here and, you may have heard this before, it is bigger and better than its predecessor.At the end of book 5 the Ministry had come to terms with Voldermort's return and so the beginning of The Half Blood Prince, the novel, showed a meeting between the Prime minister and The Minister for Magic. Oddly left out here and so we are treated to a dramatic collapsing bridge and Death Eaters destroying everything in sight. But this has the best opening of them all with a slowly played flashback of Dumbledore taking Harry's arm after the previous events at the Ministry. It sets the perfect tone for the mood of the picture. An underline sense of sadness but with hope.As with all Potter films, there are plenty of elements missing and new parts included. The beginning is equally fun to observe as a waitress chats Harry up but there are no Dursleys again. The Christmas period has a new element of a Burrow attack but no Minister Potter argument. The ending showdown with Malfoy and the Headmaster is changed quite dramatically also.When reading these fantastic books we dive into our own imagination and inevitably the film impairs that vision and we can agree or disagree. So when the final dramatic changes in the Astronomy Tower take place, I personally felt a minor twinge of annoyance. The big structure in the middle hinders the showdown quality, with the crucial spell not as quick as the book played.But it is tricky to really fault this film on anything else because it is blissful enjoyment. The book is darker but this is oddly funny. There are funny relationship scenarios with Rupert Grint on perfect comedy form and finally getting some limelight off Radcliffe. The central star has some equal comic influence, particularly the scene with the lucky potion.The star of this film is probably Grint as it is so grateful to see him more frequently than any other film. But plaudits must surely go to Jim Broadbent who has made Slughorn his own with a stumbling and curious personality that generates comedy and tension at the same time.The plot is well adapted with all crucial elements added. The whole memory/pensive subplot takes a back seat as we learn little of Riddle's true past but the book, the Malfoy scenario and the teenage social aspects get a full thorough working.The teen stars have never been better and this, like we seem to say every year, is the best Potter so far.9/10
B**N
Excellent - No question
I do wish people would stop comparing films with books. When you read a book it is your own imagination that constructs the scenes. Obviously a film is one person's (or a relatively small group of people) interpretation, so it is never going to match what you may have constructed in your own mind.I think you should take the film separately from the book. Yes it is the same story but ever since books have been made into films people have made these comparisons. Utterly pointless. Filmakers have to compile the story into a fixed timeframe, something the book does not need to do. They therefore may have to omit things that are not crucial to following the story. I think in the case of this film series, they have done a good job.It is a brilliant entertaining film, as have all the others been. Well cast, well acted, well produced and well directed.Of course everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to call a film of this caliber 'embarrassing or awful' says more about the reviewers lack of intelligence and adaptability than the film itself. Of course you're welcome to prove to me and the rest of the world that you can do it better....A book is a book and a film is a film. Like comparing cars & motorcyles, both do the same thing but in totaly different ways.
J**J
Full bloodied epsiode
Once again the team behind the Potter series has pulled out all the stops to make a corking film. Everyone has matured into their roles and there is an easy-going feel to relationships and friendships. Which is no more than you'd expect after all this time.The burgeoning romance between Harry and Ginny is subtly directed and looks promising. Though a much darker film than the others it is not without humour and warmth. It is a film that is paving the way for a big finale and makes you keen for the next episode.The most interesting character is always Snape. You may not see a lot of him but he is always there in the background and you are never sure whose side he is playing for; or maybe he is playing for both. Malfoy too comes into his own and from being a sort of cowardly school bully he has turned into a tormented soul that you end up feeling quite sorry for.I was a little worried, having read some of the reviews, that the film would not be up to its usual standards but there proves to be no concerns on that score.It may help that I have only read a few of the books so I don't need to worry about certain bits being 'put in' or 'missed out'. I feel the books should be judged as one part and the films should be judged as another. Accordingly I think they are all moving along nicely and I can't wait for the final outcome.
Trustpilot
4 days ago
5 days ago
![Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81KSKfKd9hL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
