HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

UK/US, 2009, 153 minutes, Colour.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Julie Walters, Helena Bonham Carter, Helen Mc Crory, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis, Mark Williams, Frank Dillane.
Directed by David Yates.

With the sixth installment of the series, all potential audiences know what they want out of the film version of J.K. Rowlings' novels. The millions of fans want to see on screen what they have read and imagined (and that is always a risk with an adaptation which devotees often don't realise has to be different in many ways from their beloved book – it is a version and an interpretation). Those who have enjoyed the films will naturally want to catch up with the latest. Anyone who has not read the books and decides to chance buying a ticket will probably be quite bewildered by what is going and, indeed, who is who – and why!

The other group comprises the adult group who have had to see it out of duty, with their children or for professional reasons. Many have declared that during this 153 minute film, they were bored, with not enough to excite them or keep the interest. Which means that the makers seem to have set their eyes and their screenplay on the target audience of fans, especially the teen fans and the young adults who grew up with the books and films. There is a great deal of attention to the feelings and budding romances of Harry, Ron and Hermione, even a kiss or two.

It is probably important to note that this episode is very much an interim film. It presupposes all that has gone before and it ends with the characters on the verge of a confrontation between Harry and Voldemort – Voldemort does not appear in this film. With the attempt on Dumbledore's life, revelations about Professor Snape, flashbacks to the schooldays' memories of Tom Riddle (who became Voldemort) and Dumbledore's preparing Harry to confront his nemesis, the main action will take place in the two-part film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, due for release in 2101 and 2011.

There is a new character in this film, Professor Horace Slughorn, a past professor at Hogwarts whom Dumbledore lures back to the school because he has special knowledge of the young Tom Riddle. He is played with great verve by Jim Broadbent and makes a lively impression. So does Michael Gambon's Dumbledore with his own magic and two dramatic climaxes as he seeks out Voldemort's soul and faces his attackers.

The other members of staff, Hagrid, Professor Mc Gonagle, Professor Snape, Professor Flitwick and the caretaker (now security guard), Argus Filch, all have their moments on screen. So does Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy who is set up to be a villain after his father's heart and who has received a commission from Voldemort. His deranged aunt, Bellatrix (Helena Bonham Carter at her most deranged) is there to create mischief and death.

So, what about Harry,Ron and Hermione? This time they are like the three musketeers though Harry still acts fairly independently of them. It is the friendship which counts. The three actors have grown with the films. Daniel Radcliffe this time is stronger and more assertive. Rupert Grint's Ron is still Ron, though he is in the throes of first love (though he is still very good at Quidditch in two all-too-brief effective games). Emma Watson's Hermione is rather nicer and sweeter than previously.

On the extra plus side are some excellent special effects, especially the opening as black clouds of the Death Eaters swoop destructively over London. There is some excitement as Dumbledore and Harry search for part of Voldemort's soul in a crystal cave.

Entertaining for its target audience – with the proviso that it is an interim film and is setting us up for the finale.

1. The popularity of the series, this episode? The narrative, struggle between good and evil, magic, characters and growth, family, friends, school? The ever-presence of Voldemort?

2. The production values, the re-creation of the fantasy world, in the city, in the countryside, Hogwarts? The comparison with the real world? The musical score?

3. The special effects and stunt work? For the Quidditch? For the Death Eaters? For the confrontations and potions?

4. The opening, London, the Death Eaters? The destruction? Harry in the restaurant, the waitress, talking? Dumbledore’s appearance, taking him to the village?

5. The introduction to Horace, the magic cleaning of the house, the contract, Horace and his past? The photos coming alive, his regard for Harry and his parents? The return to Hogwarts?

6. Harry and his hurrying to the Weasleys, Ginny Weasley, with Ron, Hermione and Mrs Weasley?

7. The presence of Severus Snape, with Wormtail? The Malfoys? Bellatrix, Snape and his taking Draco’s mission? The handshake with Mrs Malfoy? The sense of mission?

8. The contrast with the party, the magic, the potions? The three, following Draco Malfoy? On the roof?

9. The train to Hogwarts, Draco and his wand with Harry? Hagrid at the station, the girl and her reviving Harry, fixing his nose? The arrival at Hogwarts, Hermione’s concern, Harry in the refectory?

10. Dumbledore, introducing Horace? The discussions about Tom Riddle, his becoming Voldemort? The threat of the dark forces? The greatest weapon is the children themselves and their powers?

11. Classes at Hogwarts, Professor Mc Gonagall, Horace and his potions classes? Harry winning the competition?

12. Dumbledore and the case of memories, Tom Riddle’s memories, the vials? The meeting between Tom and Dumbledore? Tom and his being different, the hurtful arts, whispering to the snakes?

13. The Quidditch games, and audience enjoyment of them?

14. The introduction of the theme of the half-blood prince, the mystery of the identity of the prince?

15. The girl under the spell, the professors gathering round? Horace and his inviting the students to dinner? Harry and Hermione? Dumbledore asking Harry to get to know Horace? To ask him questions about Tom Riddle?

16. The romantic touches, Ginny Weasley and Harry? Ron and his kiss? Hermione crying?

17. Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape at the party?

18. Remus Lupin and his advice? The Order of the Phoenix? The discussions with Mr Weasley?

19. The introduction of the theme of the horror Cruxes, the searches and adventures?

20. More memories of Tom Riddle? With Horace? The tampering of memories? Harry trying to persuade Horace to reveal the true memory? Horace’s reaction? Realising the set-up? Horace’s comments on fate versus chance? Ron becoming high – and coming to Horace?

21. The poison in the vial, the professors around, Dumbledore as the intended victim?

22. The girl and her spell, Draco and his effecting it? The wands and the duel with Harry? Snape healing him?

23. Ginny Weasley, the book owned by the Half- Blood Prince, Harry’s protection of it, Ginny getting rid of the book?

24. Horace and Harry going to see Hagrid, the giant spider? Horace extracting some venom? With Hagrid for the drink? The story of the petal in the water, Harry’s mother, her sacrifice for Harry? Harry trying to persuade Horace to reveal the truth about Tom Riddle? Tom Riddle’s questions? Horace extracting the memory from his mind? Dumbledore and Harry watching it? The truth?

25. The theory of the horror cruxes, the splitting of the soul, hiding part of the soul in objects? The hidden soul living on, not being able to die? The necessity of killing for separating the soul? How many times? The mission of finding the horror cruxes? The traces of them? The mission to destroy them? Dumbledore’s mission?

26. Severus Snape and Dumbledore, Snape’s respect for him? Enemies? Harry travelling with Dumbledore, commanded to obey all his orders? The cliffs and the sea, the cave? Cutting his hand, the vials, light leading to the boat? Drinking the potion, Dumbledore suffering, Harry trying to dip for the water and there being no water? Discovering the horror crux? The creatures coming from the water, swarming around Dumbledore? Harry underwater, the fire? Dumbledore in the flames?

27. Draco and the shop, building the door? Bellatrix and the others arriving? Harry and Dumbledore, the struggle, Dumbledore’s death? Draco, Bellatrix?

28. Snape and Dumbledore, his reaction to Dumbledore’s death? The refectory being destroyed? The group assembling in the forest? Harry and Snape, Snape admitting that he was the Half- Blood Prince?