Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by David Yates
List Price:
Our Price: $5.99
You Save: $21.99 (79%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $3.19 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Daniel Radcliffe, Elarica Gallacher, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Rupert GrintDirector: David Yates
Brand: Warner Brothers
Cinematographer: Bruno Delbonnel
Producer: David Barron
Producer: David Heyman
Producer: Lionel Wigram
Producer: Tim Lewis
Writer: J.K. Rowling
Writer: Steve Kloves
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Color, Limited Edition, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 153 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-12-08
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product features:
- Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his
DVD Reviews of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Two-Disc Special Edition)
DVD Review: Entertaining but confusing if you haven't read the book, short on info about the Half-Blood Prince
Summary: 3 Stars
I have a confession to make: I am 40-something years old, and I love the Harry Potter series. Well, not much of a confession, is it? In fact, as I looked around in the theater arena at the other patrons of this newly-released "young adult" blockbuster film, I noticed that the vast majority of them were at least my age and many older than me. And they did NOT have children with them. This alone speaks to the universality of theme that I had recognized myself long ago within the pages of this compelling story. It isn't just for children after all. Beyond any questions of the red herring of "witchcraft," I have found this series to contain quintessential good vs. evil struggles that are presented in realistic fashion, that is, that the players are human (well, roughly anyway) and everyone has deep motivation and logic behind his or her actions. The tale is an expertly woven one. In the book, that is.
I am lucky that I went into the viewing of this film having read the book first, although it has been a few years since I picked it up. Amazingly, the plot points and fabric floated back to me as if I had only just read it. After all, the Half-Blood Prince is my favorite character and this 6th volume my favorite book in the series. So, why then is there only a tentative thread of curiosity into who the Half-Blood Prince is? I found the dramatic intensity of the books' scenes dampened here and in other ways. I have heard other reviewers call the film "leisurely" and harp about all the snogging that goes on. Sure, there is snogging in the book, but there is so much more. I figure we could have done with some of the backstory of the Prince's early life to tie the reminscences of Horace Slughorn for his star pupil Lily Evans together in a suggestive way that would give us more insight into what was going on. Perhaps cut off one of the many, MANY shots of Malfoy looking serious, Malfoy looking worried, Malfoy looking distraught...well, you get the idea.
For all that, I found the snogging scenes pretty well done and Lavender Brown suitably overblown and awful, complete with her purring of "Won Won" to a horrified Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint played the man in the lovers' snare to perfection here). Hermione, too, was real "heart on your sleeve" when it came to the lovers' game as well and her unwanted suitor McClaggen was pretty good, but I think Lavender takes the cake. Both Grint and Watson were the picture of young, complicated, emotional "love.") Radcliffe's Potter, however, seemed rather preoccupied and I got none of the feeling that he wanted to pummel Ginny's suitors into the earth as noted in the book. I can see, however, why this is downplayed, since Harry has so much more to worry about. Potter stands upon a knife-edge at this point, and I think Radcliffe played it passing well, coming off as somewhat overwhelmed but well over his own adolescent sufferings as seen in "Order of the Phoenix."
Many of the plot points were condensed or modified to tell a leaner story; for instance, Malfoy's grand scheme with the vanishing cabinets entails a mass invasion by many Death Eaters in the book. All the Order of the Phoenix members are fighting in the halls and up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower. In the movie, there are only four people, and it is a quiet, personal affair. No one knows what happened until it is all over. The denouement in the Astronomy Tower seems somehow constricted, like it is even physically blocked by the set itself without the clear, circular space from the book; the good, weakened, facing the bad, in great numbers, waiting for Malfoy to perform. Only when Snape steps in finally does the scene converge with memory. Overall, I got the feeling of an ill-blocked scene, as Harry was completely out of the place I envisioned from the setup in the book. In print it was compelling, thrilling, with the Dark Mark over Hogwarts seen from Hogsmeade, urging our heroes to respond to Malfoy's action. In the movie, all this is blurred and the Dark Mark appears only after all is said and done, as if it is a dramatic recapitulation rather than mad melee challenge. In the end, the quiet tone works well enough, the intimate coup, rather than the overrunning of noisy and haphazard Dark Wizards. It must have been easier to follow for those who have not read the book.
I did feel that there was not enough staff consternation and reaction to the shocking role of Professor Snape, and his final interaction with Harry was also somewhat muffled, the dramatic intensity lessened from the breathless narrative in the book. But, perhaps those of you who are aficionados of the movies without the influence of the books will find this review to be somewhat annoying (uh oh, it's another one of those "it's not as good as the books" reviews!). But the movie does have its own sort of internal consistency, and there are suggestive hints dropped throughout that will mean something to those who have read the books but will pass unnoticed to those who haven't.
For instance, after Harry drinks the Felix Felicis potion and goes out the Gryffindor House portal to find Professor Slughorn, he says "Hi!" to someone he must have run into. In the book, Harry has bumped between Ginny and Dean Thomas and precipitated the breakup fight that will magically free up Ginny to become HIS girl in the end. Felicity, indeed! But that can't be told in a movie the way it can be told in print. Slughorn's recruitment by Dumbledore and Harry is also diluted by throwing out Harry's show of persuasive power for a less compelling motivation ("he wants to collect you, Harry".) Another is the very short appearance of Regulus Black (his photo, anyway), Sirius' brother, in a picture of Slughorn's that he is showing to Harry at the beginning. "I'd have liked to have the set," he opines. What this means is lost on the audience, unless they know that Slughorn was the Master of Slytherin House in his days at Hogwarts, and he "had" Regulus but didn't have Sirius. This is because Sirius is in Gryffindor House, which might explain his Gryffindor friends, mightn't it? And watch for more on Regulus later, in the next thrilling installment.
Anyway, overall, I found the movie enjoyable, except that, of course, it didn't focus quite so much on the second titular character. I did find enough to keep it together though; the underflow text that begins with Snape's vow with Narcissa and Bellatrix at the beginning is suggested throughout, even if it is often with one of rather too many meaningful glam shots of Malfoy looking put out. (Speaking of Malfoy, it looks as if Tom Felton has grown up rather too quickly; Malfoy looks like a cutthroat corporate exec already. I guess we could put it down to the stresses placed on him in this story. After all, this is really the first time the younger Malfoy gets to be part of the real meat of the story. (The elder Malfoy is only seen in various newspaper clippings that suggest not only disgrace but incarceration and general disfavor. Bad luck, Lucius!) Another shady, unexplained character is Fenrir Grayback, who is seen with Malfoy and Bellatrix several times and is part of the invading party, but somehow we're never let in on the fact that he's a werewolf, and what's more, that he's the very one who turned Remus Lupin into a werewolf when he was but 5 years old. And to top it all off, he's rather "into" turning young kids into werewolves. That would have added quite a lot of tension and thrill to the scene where he is pursuing Harry and Ginny outside the Weasley House (which I don't recall having burned down in the book.) One thing that seems to have fallen out ok, though, is the sense that Voldemort is everywhere but here. We are shown young Tom Riddle, whose portrayal by two young actors at different ages comes off as polite evil about to hatch out well enough. The shots of the ring on young Tom's hand and then in Dumbledore's office later is suggestive enough, but these books are becoming more complex as we reach the denouement, and I hardly think a single movie of just over 2-1/2 hours can encompass it all. It is no wonder the last installment has been split into two, or else it might end up as a series of blip images that mean something only to people like me who have devoured the books a few times each.
Ok, so this isn't a tidy review, but perhaps you get the idea from it that it is a passably good film that has tidbits hidden in it that are only revealed properly if you've read the books. I must end up saying yes, the book is better than the movie, but, in the end, this is a feature of the medium. Books have all the time in the world to tell a detailed story, and the quickness of its telling is determined only by how fast you wish to turn the pages. I grow more and more to feel that the Harry Potter series is diminished if one only knows the films but they are still quite enjoyable as far as summer blockbusters go. Just prepare to be confused by many of the unexplained images and stuff that was left out in the translation of book to film.
Description of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort?s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same.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
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Two-Disc Widescreen Theatrical Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-05-25; DVD
Best price: $2.80
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Three-Disc Ultimate Edition)Harry Potter; Release date: 2011-06-14; DVD
Best price: $22.00
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift SetWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $23.81
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $4.14
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)Harry Potter; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $4.20
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Single-Disc Widescreen Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-03-07; DVD
Best price: $3.94
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Widescreen Edition)Harry Potter; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1Harry Potter; Release date: 2011-04-15; DVD
Best price: $4.97
Price in other shops:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy)Warner; Release date: 2011-11-11; DVD
Best price: $9.02
Price in other shops: