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British reviews praise new Potter film Rating ***
'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' premiered at London's Leicester Square on 7 July. The movie will reach Indian theatres only on 17 July. Here's what the British media had to say about the highly anticipated film
"Settling down to watch each new Harry Potter movie is a bit like slipping into a much-loved old coat you've found at the back of the wardrobe. You know broadly what to expect; the pleasure is in the rediscovery. But it is to the enormous credit of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth instalment in the sequence, that it doesn't rest too comfortably in this familiarity. It takes the saga in a dark direction, as Harry accepts his role as the Chosen One and sets about preparing to destroy the evil Lord Voldemort."
Sarah Crompton, Telegraph UK.
"The latest installment is more of the same tried and tested formula to be sure, but it's a formula that produces pure gold as far as the fans are concerned. The Potter movie experience is bigger than the sum of the individual talents that contribute to its making. David Yates, the director, orchestrates the picture with dizzying energy and confidence, but the might of the Potter phenomenon dwarfs his individual artistic contribution."
Rating ***
Wendy Ide, The Times UK.
"After the relentless bang-boom-crash of summer sequels like Transformers and Terminator, the sixth Harry Potter film comes as something of a relief for those seeking a little more humanity, even if it is of the magical variety."
Tim Masters, BBC News.
"Director David Yates has learned from his mistakes and here he turns in the most confident, stylish, individual, warm-hearted and witty Harry Potter yet… Half-Blood produces what none of its predecessors have - tears… Rather than giving us a series of computer-generated action sequences Yates has gone for careful character development, building to a dramatic crescendo. And that is the biggest surprise of all—The Half-Blood Prince is masterful."
The Sneak, The Sun UK.
"The Half-Blood Prince is frightening, funny, romantic and entertaining but as the end credits rolled, I still felt disappointed. I had waited all year to see my second-favourite Potter book brought to life. If I wasn't a die-hard fan, I'm sure I would have loved it. My gripe is that the film was simply too different from the book —the writers inserted pointless scenes and took out others crucial to the narrative. It just could have been better."
Rating ***
Ella Thorold, The Independent UK.
"Director David Yates has found his footing… The film looks great and cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel gives the picture a modern real-world sensibility in a fantasy setting. The dark intensity and romantic yearning on display in Half-Blood Prince compel me to await the two Deathly Hallows films with an eagerness I hadn't realised I possessed. I must be under a spell."
Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail UK.
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